Oahu Tonemaster Pickup question

[Riley Hart]

Hey all! I am the new owner of this Oahu guitar. It’s a 25” scale and to my surprise, it seems to be in working order but the control plate/ pickguard is in bad shape; in about 4 out of 100 pieces.

Been looking around and figure there’s no source at all for a replacement. My question is:
All my research seems to indicate the magnet for the pickup is generally positioned above and mounted on the part of the pickguard that covers the pickup, but that doesn’t seem to be the case with this guitar as evidenced by I can plug it in and it has good output and no hums. Here’s the question;

Does anyone recognize this pickup? I think it may be original but it doesn’t seem to be like the ones I researched( not a string-through design and adjustable pole pieces). Thinking all I need to do is get It supported on the ends and take care of mounting the controls.

Any ideas would be very much appreciated.
Thanks, Riley.

[Brad Bechtel]

A picture is worth a thousand words in this case.

[Riley Hart]

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0ecCuHK ... sRLxlsl21w

[Joseph Lazo]

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Here's what the pickup in my Tonemaster looks like. If I'm understanding your question, you are wondering if there should be a magnet placed above the pickup...mounted on the pickup cover? As you can see from the photo, there is no magnet attached to the pickup cover. HOWEVER, I did notice a mild magnetic pull from the pickup cover when my screwdriver touched it.

It will be difficult to find the pickup surround you need for your Tonemaster. You will have to really keep a watch on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Reverb, and eBay. It's not impossible, though. Awhile back, I chanced upon a seller on Facebook marketplace selling just the pickup cover with the musical note and the two control knobs. He didn't even know what they were for. I bought them for $15, then turned around and sold them for $35. I wish now I had kept them in case my control knobs crack or something.

It's possible the pickup cover/surround from Goldtone lap steel that is a copy of the Tonemaster might fit. Maybe try contacting Goldtone to ask if they would sell just that part?

[Michael Kiese]

Aloha Riley,

with those old single coil pickups, normally there would be a bar magnet UNDERNEATH the pickup polepieces.

The copper coil should be within the magnetic field for the pickup to work.

If the magnet were placed on the pickguard cover, the magnetic field would detrimentally affect string vibration through close proximity, and the copper coil would be too far outside the magnetic field.

All that said, placement of the magnet on the pickguard cover would be bad placement for a magnet. It is very unlikely to be part of that pickup design.

Double check your research perhaps your research is correct, but maybe you've inverted "top" and "bottom" orientation.

Good luck!

[Jack Hanson]

Since the cherry has already been popped on that one, if it were mine, -- and assuming its electronics check out okay -- in lieu of obtaining the proper plate -- which as Joe suggested could be akin to finding the proverbial needle in a haystack -- I would simply make one myself out of plastic pickguard material.

If the pickup is not firmly attached, and is precariously flopping around in its cavity, I would be extra careful and leery of playing it until it's been secured and/or repaired.

Good luck!

[Mark Evans]

These links to threads about Oahu restorations might be helpful:

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... estoration

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... estoration

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... estoration

Looks like a Goldtone PG might work.

[Riley Hart]

Ok and thanks all for taking the time to answer my questions. Some great suggestions. I’ll keep the group posted when progress is made!

[George Piburn]

GeorgeBoards™ has a 3D printed plate we made a few of. These take paint well. I made them for Alex in Canada , ---
top thread shown by Mark Evans.

tonemaster-3d.jpg

[Riley Hart]

Thanks George! I sent the request to your website contact page!

[Riley Hart]

Thanks George and all here for the help. It's playing and looks all original. I still need to fine tune a few tings but thanks again. Riley

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/v84hz2id ... 6525a&dl=0