Cure for mechanical noise thru pickup?

Tommy Detamore · Post by **Tommy Detamore** » 8 Aug 2001 8:47 am

I have a stock Emmons pickup that sounds good but picks up a lot of noise from the guitar. (I put a 710 in and it stopped the problem). Is this a mounting issue or should I dip the pickup in wax, varnish, etc? Any tips?

Thanks,

TD

Craig Allen · Post by **Craig Allen** » 8 Aug 2001 10:19 am

The cure is to have the Emmons P/up
re-potted.
The P/up is going "micr-phonic". It happens to old P/ups.

jerry wallace · Post by **jerry wallace** » 8 Aug 2001 2:11 pm

Tommy,I have never seen any Emmons pickup that was wax potted...I have been using them since the 1960's...Another possibe cause for microphonics in a pickup is loose windings..
A thin pad of felt or something simular between it and the mounting plate may help...

------------------
Jerry Wallace-2001 Zum: D-10,8+6, "98 Zum: D-10,8+8,Nashville 1000,Session 500 ,Session 400 head only amp,Tubefex,ProfexII, Artesia, New Mexico
http://communities.msn.com/jerrywallacemusic

[This message was edited by jerry wallace on 08 August 2001 at 03:14 PM.]

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 8 Aug 2001 3:24 pm

Wax, or poly-impregnating would solve the problem, but this is only slightly cheaper than a new pickup. My vote would always be for a new pickup, unless it is a serious "collector" guitar.

Jeff Peterson · Post by **Jeff Peterson** » 8 Aug 2001 7:47 pm

All of Bill Lawrence's pickups are 'dipped and cooked' in his own special broth. If an old pickup is already microphonic....junk it. Not worth the hassle.

Cairo Zoots · Post by **Cairo Zoots** » 13 Aug 2001 9:32 pm

Tommy-Issue 6/7(double issue)of "Steel Guitarist" has an article about replacing p/ups, and illustrates the use of an insulator between the mounting plate and p/up-to reduce extraneous noises.

in other words......what Jerry said!

------------------
ree-00-dee-doo

[This message was edited by Cairo Zoots on 13 August 2001 at 10:35 PM.]

Olli Haavisto · Post by **Olli Haavisto** » 14 Aug 2001 6:05 am

Try replacing the height adjustment springs with rubber or silicone tube.

------------------
Olli Haavisto
Polar steeler
Finland

Bob Metzger · Post by **Bob Metzger** » 16 Aug 2001 12:59 pm

Tommy,
John Carruthers in Venice, California has a device that re-dips the pickup in a vacuum, pulling all the air out of it and impregnating the substance (paraffin, I think) at the proper temperature as to not melt the coating on the windings of the pickup. The last time I had this done on a microphonic tele pickup from a late 50's guitar, he charged me $10 for this and it was done the next day, but this was about 8 years ago or so. Ascertain that this pickup is indeed microphonic before going this route, as opposed to just being too severely coupled to the guitar body, as many steel guitar pickups are. You might try some electric guitar type decoupling solutions first. Hope you're doing well.

Bob

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 16 Aug 2001 4:36 pm

Yes "potting pickups" is the answer to a pickup that becomes microphonic with age.

More info is here http://www.guitarnuts.com/technical/electrical/ along with instructions on how to do it.

I'd pay to have it done.
A local guitar builder in my town charges $30.

-j0e-