Remaking The Horseshoe Bass Bobbin

[Moonie Man]

Black wax of that Lap Steel Bobbin regards me as rather smart for appearance.
Then, since a piece of wood charcoal was rolling in the house, it happened to have thought suddenly, but mix with ordinary wax the powder which broke this, and apply it on the surface of a coil, because how is it?

What by this carbon fiber -- it is -- isn't an electric good effect expectable?
Is this only a foolish idea?

[T.A.R.]

I don"t know if it's a foolish idea or not as Jeff said most use electric tape. In some of the recipes I use for making Black varnish (coating for iron parts on the boat) I use lampblack, the soot obtained from oil lamps.

[Moonie Man]

Ted, Since carbon is effective in intercepting electromagnetic waves, my idea considered if tolerance became strong to the radiation trip noise, when applying Charcoal mixed Wax on the surface of the coil and coating it.

[Moonie Man]

Unless the bobbin of that Lap Steel was coated by black colored wax, I did not think of such a thing.

[ram]

Soooooooooooo.... how does it SOUND??????

I think Koji is trying to decide which way to wind the coil, CW or CCW as that could have an affect on the sound. Of course, it will sound different depending on which side of the equator one is on.

the Coriolis effect and the zen of pickup winding.... interesting!

[weemac]

64 bass bobbins have what looks to be a period masking tape on them.. What it really is I don't know!

emac.

[jps]

Mystery goo.

[Moonie Man]

Before winding the coil, checked the construction of the route of wiring in the bobbin today.


This is the completely same structure as the bobbin of Lap Steel Horseshoe.
That Red wire is Hot lead, a naked wire is Cold lead.


The Cold wire through into center section of the bobbin.

It checked that there was no problem in winding a coil.

[johnallg]

If you are thinking of using the charcoal/wax covering on the coil for shielding, I have seen copper tape with a ground wire soldered to it used. Then put a layer of black electrical tape over that to finish.

[ram]

I think most of the covers in this application, are there for physical protection and to try and minimize oxidation of the wire. Isolation (unless set up as John describes) would be minimal at best.

[Moonie Man]

In a modern style, it is most common to shielding of a coil to use a Copper Tape.
Although it thinks as me that shielding processing of a coil is not necessarily required, whether what finally I do with this shielding cannot determine yet.
Moreover, also about the necessity for Potting.

[cjj]

The main reason for potting the coil is to reduce microphonics. Mechanical vibrations can cause the wires and core materials to move around a small amount which will then generate a signal. This can lead to noise when you tap on the coil and can allow the coil to pick up other sounds, such as what's coming from your own amplifier and cause feedback...

[ram]

The main reason for potting the coil is to reduce microphonics. Mechanical vibrations can cause the wires and core materials to move around a small amount which will then generate a signal. This can lead to noise when you tap on the coil and can allow the coil to pick up other sounds, such as what's coming from your own amplifier and cause feedback...

Wow Cj I never would have guessed that the pickup suspended in the cavity of a guitar would be that sensitive. So the tape or whatever around the windings, would be enough to make the pickup a more directional microphone - essentially making the pin or poles more of the focus or source. Do I have that right?

man this is a great thread!

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

Mostpickupbobbinsthesedaysjusthavesomeelectricaltapeorsomekindoffabricwrappedaroundthecoils. Uh, lets try that again! Most pickup bobbins these days just have some electrical tape or some kind of fabric wrapped around the coils. They do not necessarily have to be potted, which makes them difficult if not impossible to open and rewind the bobbin in needed.

jeff was trying out his english version of a german compound word !!!

[cjj]

The main reason for potting the coil is to reduce microphonics. Mechanical vibrations can cause the wires and core materials to move around a small amount which will then generate a signal. This can lead to noise when you tap on the coil and can allow the coil to pick up other sounds, such as what's coming from your own amplifier and cause feedback...

Wow Cj I never would have guessed that the pickup suspended in the cavity of a guitar would be that sensitive. So the tape or whatever around the windings, would be enough to make the pickup a more directional microphone - essentially making the pin or poles more of the focus or source. Do I have that right?

man this is a great thread!

I don't really understand all of the specifics of how this works, it's mostly stuff I've read, but I see how it makes some sense. If you essentially make the whole assembly one solid unit, things just can't vibrate with respect to each other (which would generate a small signal).

Another reason for potting it to make the wire a bit less susceptible to corrosion, etc. since it will effectively keep the atmosphere out (as well as spilled beer/pop/whatever)...