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Cobalt Magnets Stone Dead
Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2002 3:10 pm
by gpatt5762
Mark,
I just read with great interest the story you wrote about fixing Sir Paul's bass at FabGuitars.com. Having a waiting order on a 4001C64, this story raised an eyebrow with me.
Is the horseshoe magnet assembly particularly delicate or sensitive to weather? Or was Paul's experience with the pickup dying, shall we say, a "human factors" thing?
OK, I'm a bit anxious, I admit. I just want to be able to get and give maximum enjoyment with this new old bass.
Your comments are always appreciated.
God Bless,
Garry
Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2002 7:44 pm
by markthemd
The original horshoe magnet pickups were visually similar to the re-issue.
Have NO fear what so ever ...the new pickup is NOT a cobalt magnet .
What you have is a coil with a set of ALNICO polepieces which are THE magnets.
The horseshoes are STEEL that are chrome plated.They reflect the magnetic field similar to the originals .
While they are NOT identical to the original .....they will outlast and out perform the Cobalt magnet pickups .
This not an opinion ...but rather based on fact.
The old cobalt magnets are inconsistant and no longer available .
ALNICO is a magnet cast of three materials , one of which is cobalt .
THe shoes can be removed , but there is a responsive difference ...not a sound change.
The re-issue is a wonderful attempt to recreate a piece of pickup history and give a great working unit with classic looks to bassists.
It is not any more sensitive to the conditions of the world than any Gibson or Fender type of pickup.
Do not attempt to play your bass under water is standard industry advice.Other than that .... play away !
Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2002 4:25 am
by rkbsound
I can't locate that website. Mark, could you provide a link to fabguitars? Thanks!
Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2002 4:50 am
by markthemd
Neither can I !!!!
It was at one time available through Voxtalks.com
There is /was a link through the registration page .
Perhaps Nick had issues with John Crawley and the text of the site ...I don't know what happened to it .
Ask Nick Thiel.
Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2002 8:04 am
by admin
Mr. Phelps. The IM Force has come to your rescue. Please visit
here.
Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2002 6:19 am
by gpatt5762
Don't you just love Peter's sense of humour?
Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2002 1:28 am
by weemac
With experience from my own 64 4001s, I have to agree that the original horseshoe is a sensative beastie. even waving a soldering iron near one can upset it. I have however found a way of regaussing them successfully and it is very simple once you work out what part of the magnetic field is the important bit!!
In saying that even in full working condition the horseshoe has a dry & mellow treblyness to it, and is not nearly as powerfull as the all counquering re-issue. It is best only used as a slave to the neck pickup, to add a little edge to the tone (cause it don't add any volume!).
But, what a sound!!
Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2002 5:20 am
by headbanger
Hi Eden,
I hope you'll tell us more 'cause that's a tasty tidbit...
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2002 12:38 am
by weemac
Yeah! I thought I might get a bite!
Dk-564 is a 64 4001s that has probably been to hell and back (before i owned it) it is no longer fireglow and has had some major repairs and then refinished in natural nitro. the sandcast bridge is long gone and now sports a bridge from a later model (70s by the look of it).
The good news is that it has all the important parts that made these things what they were. That unique wide but slim neck and the light weight body. It is very playable and has a great ballence of tone all the way up the neck! Just plug it in and it easily achieves the same type of sound that seems to emminate from Chris Squire's one these days.
For me the holy grail of basses and... No it is not for sale!