Potting pickups.

by The Chad Mon May 12, 2014 10:00 pm

Finally potted my pickups.

Used paraffin and bee's wax, about an 80/20 blend respectively, purchased from JoAnne Fabrics (a craft store chain). The paraffin was "Candy Melts EZ Thin" which is chipped paraffin, and the bee's wax Dritz brand beeswax. I also added a very small amount of Yankee candle "Camping Out" because it smelled good. pickups - Potting pickups. Icon_biggrin

Smell is a big part of guitar playing for me.

Placed a pot full of water on stove with a ramekin inside. The ramekin created a shelf inside of the pot, on which a smaller pot sat. This smaller pot had marbles in the bottom. I boiled the water, reduced the heat and let it cool a little. I placed my wax inside the smaller inside pot, melted it, and regulated the temp to around 140-150 degrees. Dipped the pickups in one at a time, kept them in there for about 10 minutes each, then removed them to a plate to cool. Wiping them off periodically as they cooled so they were nice and clean.

Potted both of my Electra Outlaw pickups, my X240 bridge pickup, an MMK45 bridge pickup from my Westone Dynasty, and an MMK53 bride pup from my X935. Can't wait to see how it worked, I'll let everyone know. I must say, potting was very, very easy and quite fun. pickups - Potting pickups. Icon_up

by **Barry** Mon May 12, 2014 11:16 pm

Excellent Chad! Such a simple and effective way to tame an unruly pickup. Look forward to hearing your impressions.

by The Chad Mon May 12, 2014 11:18 pm

I can't wait to FINALLY hear an MMK at full volume through the Marshall, on stage. Can't wait!

by Westbone Mon May 12, 2014 11:23 pm

You'll be in the garden next.... Laughing

by The Chad Mon May 12, 2014 11:24 pm

Right on. Hope to install them Wednesday.

by Westbone Mon May 12, 2014 11:36 pm

Should sound slightly 'solid'

by The Chad Tue May 13, 2014 6:07 pm

Damian,

I did say they sounded hollow!

by Westbone Tue May 13, 2014 7:00 pm

Hollow!..get a new amp.. Laughing

by The Chad Tue May 13, 2014 7:41 pm

Amp? Oh yeah... bet that's why those pickups were so quiet, too.

by gittarasaurus Tue May 13, 2014 9:15 pm

"just listen for a minute, the sustain, listen to it…"
"i'm not hearing anything"
"well you would if it were playing…"
Metal Head

by The Chad Tue May 13, 2014 9:17 pm

by **Barry** Tue May 13, 2014 11:24 pm

gittarasaurus wrote:"just listen for a minute, the sustain, listen to it…"
"i'm not hearing anything"
"well you would if it were playing…"

Turn on yer sound.

by rabidgerry Tue Jan 09, 2018 5:59 pm

Sorry to drag up an old thread, but I figured may as well use this one since the topic is already started!!

I have a Dimension IV guitar with the original pickups in it. What I wanted to know was, is it safe enough to pot these pickups? I have done it before but never on a classic 33 year old axe with collectibility.

Will it change the sound much? It squeals a lot at high volume so I've pretty much resigned this to a studio guitar.

I use a mixture of Parafin wax with some beeswax mixed in. I've done numerous pickups over the years and it has helped a lot!

Anyone ever put foam under their pickups?

by The Chad Tue Jan 09, 2018 6:06 pm

I use that same mixture.

Sound change... hard to say. Some say yes, some say no. With pickups such as MMK45's, in a design like the Dim IV, I wouldn't worry about much of a sound change. It isn't meant to play pristine cleans where every nuance is heard (where some say potting may affect it, though I haven't heard any difference in sound). No one wants to plug in a Dim IV and crank up the amp only to hear SQUEAL!

My vote... pot them. Smile

If you are still worried about it, replace the pups with something similar that's already potted, and keep the stock MMK's for posterity's sake.

by **corsair** Tue Jan 09, 2018 11:07 pm

Yeah, mate - if they're getting a touch unruly, pot 'em! No question!
The collectibility thing is interesting... yes, of course they're collectable but only to a very select few who have fallen under the Matsumoku spell, and the Dim 4 is going to appeal to a very select subset of those, so potting microphonic pickups is unlikely to affect future values in any detrimental fashion.

That said, I've been wrong before!! Laughing

by rabidgerry Wed Jan 10, 2018 12:21 am

The Chad wrote:I use that same mixture.

Sound change... hard to say. Some say yes, some say no. With pickups such as MMK45's, in a design like the Dim IV, I wouldn't worry about much of a sound change. It isn't meant to play pristine cleans where every nuance is heard (where some say potting may affect it, though I haven't heard any difference in sound). No one wants to plug in a Dim IV and crank up the amp only to hear SQUEAL!

My vote... pot them. If you are still worried about it, replace the pups with something similar that's already potted, and keep the stock MMK's for posterity's sake.

Excellent, I'll pot them then! I guess I was just being precious. What would be a close match to the MMK45's? I have nearly swapped the bridge pup out a few times with a DP100 but I always feel it should have it's original pickup installed. It was also a lazy way around the microphonic feedback issue.

Thanks for the help guys. I'll let ya know how things go once potted.

by **corsair** Wed Jan 10, 2018 6:15 am

If the OEM pickup ain't doing it for you.... swap the thing out!! Hang onto it, of course, but hell; there's only a few here that I use regularly that have their originals installed - there's SO much choice out there that you'll not know where to turn!!

by **Barry** Wed Jan 10, 2018 6:27 am

I've not had any feedback/squealing issues with any of my 45's...distortion yes,when driven, but that's what they were designed to do.

Is there something odd about the geometry of the Dim4's perhaps?
Hey Steve, any problems with yours?

As to potting them, the only people you'll upset are folks who like to rebuild/rewind them.
(Hi Damian Hello Wave

)

by rabidgerry Wed Jan 10, 2018 10:57 am

Barry wrote:I've not had any feedback/squealing issues with any of my 45's...distortion yes,when driven, but that's what they were designed to do.

Is there something odd about the geometry of the Dim4's perhaps?
Hey Steve, any problems with yours?

As to potting them, the only people you'll upset are folks who like to rebuild/rewind them.
(Hi Damian )

They were designed to squeal under distortion? I don't know anyone who likes squealing pickups or would put up with it. It's embarassing on stage and no amount of noise gate will beat a microphonic pickup. I very rarely play clean so we are talking about using the Dimension IV with hi gain settings.

I'll pot it, play it again, and see what I think about the tones then and if I want to swap it out or not. I normally stick a DP100 in anything I aint happy with and that's usually me sorted. I think I like the MMk 45 tone but it might be a little mellow for my taste, I'll re-assess.

by Westbone Wed Jan 10, 2018 11:02 am

Barry wrote:
As to potting them, the only people you'll upset are folks who like to rebuild/rewind them.
(Hi Damian )

Mornin' Barry.. Smile

I'd take the outer tape off prior to potting and then tape it back on again when finished. Looks much better.

Or just put new tape on.

by **Barry** Wed Jan 10, 2018 4:32 pm

rabidgerry wrote:
Barry wrote:I've not had any feedback/squealing issues with any of my 45's...distortion yes,when driven, but that's what they were designed to do...
They were designed to squeal under distortion?...

No. Please re-read. That is not what I said.
These were modeled after the Dimarzio Super Distortion pickups of the day. Not likely they would squeal on purpose. If yours is going microphonic there is either an internal flaw, or it has something to do with the guitar's geometry/design. Perhaps a resonance point is being triggered. If so, then the same advice applies...pot 'em!

by rabidgerry Wed Jan 10, 2018 5:53 pm

Barry wrote:
rabidgerry wrote:
They were designed to squeal under distortion?...
No. Please re-read. That is not what I said.
These were modeled after the Dimarzio Super Distortion pickups of the day. Not likely they would squeal on purpose. If yours is going microphonic there is either an internal flaw, or it has something to do with the guitar's geometry/design. Perhaps a resonance point is being triggered. If so, then the same advice applies...pot 'em!

Sorry I must have misunderstood.

No idea how to check resonance points. I'd assume this pickup has taken a bashing over the years from who ever owned it before me, who knows, but I've had many guitars have feedback issues before so to me it's not strange to find this one squealey, it doesn't suggest there is a flaw or anything strange with my particular guitar, I bet there are a lot of people who have had a similar issue, and given the nature of the thread it that would seem some have.

If your pickup doesn't squeal then perhaps you got a good one. May be it was factory potted? Were Westone potting their pickups?

Would the 45's be considered high gain then like Dimarzio?

by **Barry** Wed Jan 10, 2018 6:45 pm

rabidgerry wrote:...No idea how to check resonance points.

Difficult to do without equipment and knowledge. Yer ears are telling you there's sumpthin' wrong.

If your pickup doesn't squeal then perhaps you got a good one.

I have significantly more than one. None squeal.

May be it was factory potted?

No.

Were Westone potting their pickups?

Can't speak to all of them, but none that I'm aware of.

Would the 45's be considered high gain then like Dimarzio?

Yes.
If the 45 gets a knock it's because some find the bottom end a tad on the "muddy" side. Other than that it's a versatile pup that can raise the roof if you desire, but it also cleans up very nicely. Suitable for most guitar work

by **corsair** Thu Jan 11, 2018 4:15 am

On the subject of squealing MMK 45s, I've only had 1 that would squeal in an unseemly fashion, and that was being replaced anyway; all the others have been OK on that respect and will only squeal if you want them to.
And yes, I do find that they lose definition down low and become "muddy" under certain settings, but by and large, they're pretty bloody versatile - very good pickups indeed!

by rabidgerry Thu Jan 11, 2018 10:39 am

I honestly just think the pickup is squeally, it's the kind of noises you get from simply selecting a pickup using the selector switch, there isn't anything wrong with the guitar. I shall replace the pickup springs as well and pack underneath with foam. I might do that first actually and see if I can get away without potting.

I'd love to restore the few chips in the paint also, but that will be for another time when I have the money to pay for that. I know a guy who does good paint restoration but it's costs a bit. All in all though my DimIV is in really good order. Hasn't been played in a while but time to dust it off.

by monkey Thu Jan 11, 2018 2:25 pm

have you considered that there might be a dry solder joint somewhere?

by The Chad Thu Jan 11, 2018 8:39 pm

Pot them and you're gold. However... 45's are versatile, therefore not great for metal. If Mercyful Fate is an indicator of what you'll be using them for. Very Happy

If potted, they will work, yes. Though not overly tight in the bottom and probably not "sizzly" enough that sort of metal. You'll want maybe a different set of pups for that.

So I should have asked this before... but what sort of music will you use it for?

by rabidgerry Fri Jan 12, 2018 1:07 pm

I play heavy metal and when I say that I mean the PROPER kind Surprised

. It's funny I recorded using the Dim IV a few years ago for a 7" single my band released. DIM sounded great. But yeah I was thinking perhaps the pickup wasn't the best choice for heavy metal. I was thinking actually probably with age it has mellowed.

In all my other guitars I have mostly swapped out bridge pickups for Dimarzio Super Distortions. These are pretty versitile and also great for metal.

I use ADA MP1 and Peavey Rockmaster Preamps both live and in the studio. Despite the Mercyful fate profile pic, I don't sound like them despite being a big fan.

Here is the track (music video) I used the DIM IV on a few years ago. In the video I'm using a completely different guitar from what I used on the record.

by **Barry** Fri Jan 12, 2018 4:59 pm

Yikes! Not my sort of music but you do play it well.

Yeah, as much as I love the 'ole MMK45 I don't think it's really up to the heavy metal task at hand. Potting should help tame the squealing but I think you may need something more suitable for bottom end "punch".

Sorry, I have no recommendation to make.

(p.s Love that Ricky bass)

by rabidgerry Fri Jan 12, 2018 5:47 pm

Thanks for that.

Well aesthetically speaking the Dim IV is surely a heavy metal guitar?? I couldn't imagine BB King playing it really or Eric Clapton. So I guess when you take that idea you tend to think it's going to have a pickup to suit that music right?

I'm pretty sure a Dimarzio Super Distortion would do the job or a Dimarzio Megadrive. I have some spare so may be time to swap it out. I also have some black pole pieces to swap with the silver ones in the Super D, this will match the original 45's look.

by **Barry** Fri Jan 12, 2018 7:05 pm

Interesting you are thinking about a DiMarzio Super Distortion. The MMK45 was of course, modeled after that particular pup, so it's definitely close to what you'd want.

I don't think the Westone designers were shooting for heavy metal in the mid 80's. More like the big hair and spandex crowd.

Dim 4's and the other Westone pointies are reflective of the sharp, angular trend of the day. None are as extreme as you'd find in, say, a BC Rich Warlock.

by rabidgerry Fri Jan 12, 2018 7:39 pm

Yeah I say a Super Distortion as that was a staple of a lot of the guitar players in bands I listen to and have been influenced by.

I would normally never go for a guitar like a dim iv but a guy from another band I like used one on a live video from 1985 and I thought it was awesome so when I learned what type it was I pursued one. His was black however, mine is white with lightening bolt. My perfect one would be the red with the painted fret board in red. I doubt I could ever pickup one in good enough condition though so for now it's a pipe dream.

I think it's a lot more subtle than something like BC Rick Warlock, they are down right ugly in my personal opinion.

by **Barry** Fri Jan 12, 2018 10:45 pm

rabidgerry wrote:...I think it's a lot more subtle than something like BC Rick Warlock, they are down right ugly in my personal opinion.

Yup.

by The Chad Fri Jan 12, 2018 11:11 pm

Your video ripped my face right off! Yeah man! Dig that style, so much fun...

You know what... a Duncan Distortion may be good for that thing. It's got a bigger bottom end than the SD's. I have one in my Vandenberg, totally killer. Similar, just more substance.

Let us know what you do, please!

by rabidgerry Fri Jan 12, 2018 11:38 pm

Thanks The Chad, glad you like it. It was nice to release that song on Vinyl also. We're putting out a vinyl of our album in a few months also. It came out last August on cd and is selling well but the headbangers love their vinyl so it would be silly to not put it out on that format also.

I am a sucker for brand loyalty and I do love SD's. So Dim IV is all maple right? And that sounds

waves.

"Tonally, it provides a good bright attack and sustain, but does not sound brittle like some harder woods can."

According to this link

https://blog.andertons.co.uk/guitars/electric-guitar-tone-wood-guide

So I reckon an SD will be a good choice. Usually give me the mid's and thickness I like. But I will keep your suggestion in mind for the future reference.

by **corsair** Sat Jan 13, 2018 2:34 pm

Bareknuckles would be worth a look, too, especially the likes of a Nailbomb for that music!!

Pricey, but lovely gear!

by Westbone Sun Jan 14, 2018 11:33 am

Tonerider

http://www.tonerider.com/generator

http://www.tonerider.com/octane

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