Potting Question

[spud1950]

I'm going to wax pot some pickups out of a 1967 Hagstrom Viking.The pickups have tape around the coils. I've read on a few sites about potting that you shouldn't remove the tape for fear of damaging the windings.Actually,the tape is so old on these it comes off really easy,no problem.There's hardly any adhesion let to it at all.My question is,in general,if you pot a pickup with the tape on,aren't you kind of defeating the purpose in that the wax won't penetrate the windings?Also,these pickups have metal covers that come off quite easily with no damage to the pickups.Is it better to leave them on when potting so that there is wax between the coil and the cover,meaning will this help cut down further on the microphonics as the covers will not be able to vibrate?The wax will penetrate into the coil with the cover on.

[gfxbss]

Spud,

if you are very worried about the tape, you could replace it with this.
www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics_pickups/Pickups_Parts/Pickup_Tapes.html

the wax will still easily get into the winding with the tape on.

you should leave the pup covers on when potting your pups.

good luck and let us know how it turns out!

Tyler

[spud1950]

Well,I potted the pickups and got the guitar back together.Man,what a difference!I've owned this guitar for almost twenty years,but never really used it much for serious playing because of the feedback problem at higher volumes. No problem now.As a matter of fact,I never knew how good it could sound.This was easy to do and a great learning experience.

[gfxbss]

good, im glad to hear that everything went well. i felt the same way the first time i potted pups. i actually made a candle for my girlfriend w/ the wax(she was mad at me for spending time on my guitar again rather than with her.) not to mention, the most important part, you learned something.

Tyler