i'm am looking into making a pickup for my bass (jazz type pickup). i decided not to use poles, but a whole magnet that runs across (like blade pickups)
i have a few questions though...

how do i shield the pickup?

(all other questions have been answered)

here is an example of what i'm talking about... http://www.sdpickups.com/images_inside/icehouse/images/teleblades.jpg

Your descriptions of magnetization directions are confusing me- to my reading, they're unusual or not even possible.

The simplest way to get around the descriptions is to go to the concept behind it: the field must run through the coil, with north pointing out one end of the coil, and south out the other.

Applying this to a blade pickup like you show (and like most Bartolinis, I think), the two long edges (the exposed top of magnet, and the hidden one at far bottom underneath) would be the north and south poles.

Someone please correct me if that's not right.

here is what i mean by thru-thickness...
http://www.kjmagnetics.com/images/thruthickness.jpg

Take a look at my previous answer. Take a look at the pic you just linked. Then think about it a bit more. I'd rather you figured this out and knew how it worked, than were just fed the answer. Note: that pic is drawn oddly, and the "thickness" picture should look much thinner.

I don't think you can do this will just off-the shelf blade-type magnets, because you want N and S to be along the long edges of the magnet, and most magnets (maybe all) that you pick up in the store will have the ends magnetized rather than the edges.

I think most guys purchase their magnet material in an unmagnetized state, then magnetize them in the correct polarity themselves.

i know, i was on my psp and i cant edit it. what about the other questions?

erik just gave you your answer as far as the magnet Q. The proper magnet is magnetized in the way he describes, which is not the common way, although I have seen them available magnetized that way.

The other Qs are basic pickup making. You've got a fair amount of knowledge to acquire. It hasn't (so far) been covered here at TB, but there are other sources on the net if you look.

i did more research and found the answers to the other questions, i just have one more...

whats the best way to shield a pickup? (what have you used and had the best results with?)

most makers don't shield their pickups. But if you want to do it, just cover it up with copper tape (the type used to shield control cavities) and make sure it contacts the ground solder point and not the hot. You're done.

most makers don't shield their pickups. But if you want to do it, just cover it up with copper tape (the type used to shield control cavities) and make sure it contacts the ground solder point and not the hot. You're done.

that much i know, but cover the coil with the tape, or the cover with tape, or both?

is the start of the coil hot or ground?

(the set-up is the pickup directly to the out-put jack)

that much i know, but cover the coil with the tape, or the cover with tape, or both?Either will shield the perimeter of the coil. Inside the shell will give you the additional capability to shield the open top of the coil, which is where I would expect most of the pick-up-able RF to come from. Having the grounded shield away from the actual coil should reduce the capacitance, I think.is the start of the coil hot or ground?I saw a site that showed that if you are going to ground the magnet, and it will be exposed, then you want the start to be ground, in order to reduce the static click if you touch the magnet. But this may not be possible for a RPRW??

ok, i think i have it, correct me if i'm wrong...
i get a magnet with the top N and bottom S. cut out plastic and glue the magnet to the plastic and cut a hole on another piece of plastic and put it on the top of the magnet (hole is for the magnet to show), and glue it. now i have the bobbin, the top is N the bottom is S. then i take cloth tape and wrap the magnet, then i take electrical tape and wrap the cloth tape. the i put the eyelets in and i start the coil. the beginning is ground and when i finish the coil, the end is hot. then i cover the coil with cloth tape, and then cover that with electrical tape. then i attach my leads to the eyelets, then i coat them in wax (i know how, its just to long to type). then i either buy or make a pickup cover, and cover the inside with copper tape. i attach a small wire from the ground to the inside of the cover to shield it. then i attach the ground wire to the sleeve of the output and the hot wire to the tip.

it doesn't matter if you choose start or end as hot or ground, what is important is that you are consistent with the other coils in your circuit for achieving a humbucking effect.

it doesn't matter if you choose start or end as hot or ground, what is important is that you are consistent with the other coils in your circuit for achieving a humbucking effect.

im only making one single-coil blade pickup that conects directly to the output

im only making one single-coil blade pickup that conects directly to the output

you do know that no matter how much you shield this puppy you will get 60hz hum.

you do know that no matter how much you shield this puppy you will get 60hz hum.

yes i know, thats why i might make a humbucker, but i dont know if can afford the room.

i made a little CAD drawing of the pickup. i made the pickup a humbucker. here it is...
http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/3788/pickupib5.png

please correct me if i'm wrong

i want to cancel out RF interference (it will be shielded) and 60hz hum
its only going to be 2 wires not 4 (start of first, end of second/the end of the first will be connected to the start of the second)

if you're gonna wind in different directions then the end of one coil should go to the start of the next.

if you're gonna wind in different directions then the end of one coil should go to the start of the next.

it will, picture doesnt really show it

here is an updated picture...
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/4557/pickup3tw7.png

will this set-up cancel out the 60hz hum?

yes.

where can i find a bass humbucker cover?

the dimensions of the pickup are 3" X 1.25" X .6"
i haven't found anything online yet that will fit those dimensions