My first casting

[jworrellbass]

I cast my first pickup cases today. The 2 other ones are mine and the 2 inner one are blank pickup covers with I purchased from Guitar Jones.
http://www.guitarjonesusa.com/catalog/store.php?crn=243&rn=817&action=show_detail
http://www.guitarjonesusa.com/catalog/store.php?crn=243&rn=805&action=show_detail

Here is another pick

Any commits you might have would be greatly appreciated.
These go along with my other thread.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=664919

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

They are a bit too square and rough looking for my tastes. Tho, it wouldn't really make a difference!

How they sound is what matters most tho

 

[jworrellbass]

Thanks for the feedback Mr Mohawk. They do look rough in the picture. They look much better in person. They sound great.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I'm sure they will, as said, it isn't really something that would make a difference!

Also, you might want to brand them? Either embossed on the mold or printed on (however they do that, transfer maybe?).

Was tempted to take up your offer on free pickups in the other thread, if only I'd had a bass that was needing an overhaul!

- Will

 

[jworrellbass]

I'm sure they will, as said, it isn't really something that would make a difference!

Also, you might want to brand them? Either embossed on the mold or printed on (however they do that, transfer maybe?).

Was tempted to take up your offer on free pickups in the other thread, if only I'd had a bass that was needing an overhaul!

- Will

Thanks Will, these are prototypes. When I first started this I wasn't going to include cases, I was just going to make a abs box (to protect the pickups).
I decided to incase the pickups in the resin casting a few days ago. After I get proficient with the casting process I'll either emboss or print a logo.

 

[Stealth]

They look very well, as a resin cast. I actually like the rough top texture, but they seem somewhat irregular on the sides. I'm sure you'll get the sides straight as arrows once you perfect your system.

 

[deekay911]

so you basically encased the pickups inside the plastic? How would the casing make a difference to the sound? Not being a wise guy, just interested to know..

 

[jworrellbass]

They look very well, as a resin cast. I actually like the rough top texture, but they seem somewhat irregular on the sides. I'm sure you'll get the sides straight as arrows once you perfect your system.

The part that your seeing that looks "irregular" is the bottom of the pickup (it was the angle of the camera). When I cast them I let the resin flow over the top of the mold (which is the bottom of the pickup). After they set up I tried to trim them with a utility knive.

so you basically encased the pickups inside the plastic? How would the casing make a difference to the sound? Not being a wise guy, just interested to know..

Thats actually a valid question. They sound the same as they do before their cast. I epoxy coat each coil, let them set up and then assemble both coils and the neodymium magnet. The assembled coils are just a little bit smaller than the final pickup. The plastic resin makes an almost indestructible pickup.
Another thing about pickups is the more secure the wire is around the bobbin the less microphonic the pickup will be. The resin gives more security.

 

[jworrellbass]

Well here are a few new castings.

 

[line6man]

Well here are a few new castings.

These look much better.

Is that telephone wire??

 

[jworrellbass]

Good eye, it's 26 awg. I had some regular 4 wire 28 awg pickup wire, but I ran out. So I tried the phone wire, I can't tell any difference in sound quality between the two. I'm using 22 gauge on the single coils.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Thats actually a valid question. They sound the same as they do before their cast. I epoxy coat each coil, let them set up and then assemble both coils and the neodymium magnet. The assembled coils are just a little bit smaller than the final pickup. The plastic resin makes an almost indestructible pickup.

Yes, the encapsulation doesn't change the tone. Many pickups are made this way.

One thing to watch for... I see you are using aluminite? That's not epoxy, it's urethane. The kind of resin it is doesn't matter, but that stuff sets fast, so watch for heat. The fast cure resin can get very hot. Heat can weaken the neo magnets. If you get them hot enough they will demagnetize.

if you fill a paper cup with resin and let it sit, it can get so hot it starts to smoke and boil! Then it sets into an indestructible lump.

Covers are the biggest pain when making pickups.

 

[jworrellbass]

Thanks David, I started using Aero Marine resin. It doesn't get as hot and it looks much better.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Those new covers look sweet

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Thanks David, I started using Aero Marine resin. It doesn't get as hot and it looks much better.

That's what I use. It does get hot! Just check that it doesn't get too hot. I did a big ramp cast yesterday and had to stick it in the freezer for a few minutes!

I had a cup full get so hot yesterday that I had to put it in the sink and run cold water on it!

Even the slow set epoxy will get hot if you put too much in a container.

 

[line6man]

Good eye, it's 26 awg. I had some regular 4 wire 28 awg pickup wire, but I ran out. So I tried the phone wire, I can't tell any difference in sound quality between the two. I'm using 22 gauge on the single coils.

Perhaps the parasitic inductance of the wire will change a bit, but I've never been one to pay attention to the LCR values of wire in an application such as this.

There should be no difference, just as your experiences suggest.

 

[jworrellbass]

Perhaps the parasitic inductance of the wire will change a bit, but I've never been one to pay attention to the LCR values of wire in an application such as this.

There should be no difference, just as your experiences suggest.

The main difference is 4 gauge guitar wire about a $1 per ft. Phone wire $7 for 50 ft. roll. After all coil wire is 43 copper, phone wire 26 gauge copper.

 

[jworrellbass]

That's what I use. It does get hot! Just check that it doesn't get too hot. I did a big ramp cast yesterday and had to stick it in the freezer for a few minutes!

I had a cup full get so hot yesterday that I had to put it in the sink and run cold water on it!

Even the slow set epoxy will get hot if you put too much in a container.

I was using the Alumilite because it was availble at a local store. I ordered the Aero Marine and I like it so much more. It does get hot, but not as hot as Alumilite. The end result the pickup comes out fine.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

The main difference is 4 gauge guitar wire about a $1 per ft. Phone wire $7 for 50 ft. roll. After all coil wire is 43 copper, phone wire 26 gauge copper.

Is the telephone wire shielded? Is it solid or stranded?

I buy 100 foot rolls of 4 conductor wire and it's not $1 a foot.

 

[jworrellbass]

Is the telephone wire shielded? Is it solid or stranded?

I buy 100 foot rolls of 4 conductor wire and it's not $1 a foot.

Unshielded, solid.
Would you mind telling me your supplier?