| Author |
Topic: Re-Magnetizing Magnets |
Derrick Mau
From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
|
Posted 20 Mar 2005 5:08 pm |
|
| Rick, What are the tell tail signs that indicate that a magnet is in need of being re-magnetized? |
|
|
|
Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
|
Posted 20 Mar 2005 5:20 pm
|
|
If it is over 30 yrs old ... 
Hardened steel will only hold its "Remnance Charge" ... the flux density which remains in a magnetic material when the externally applied magnetizing field is removed ... for 20 - 30 yrs ...
And thats under the best coditions.
In horseshoe magnet pickups ... the worst case scenario exists ...
(N) to (N) and (S) to (S) repulsion.
Horseshoe magnets are never used it physics classes to demonstrate repulsion. They degauss to easy.
They will remain functional ... i.e. still put out a usable signal ... all the way down to the 30 gauss (midgap) range ...
But thats like having a Maserati runnin' on 3 cylinders w/ two flat tires ... 
Can you imagine Dick McIntire walkin' into the RIC factory and asking them to give him a frypan that sounds like ... it would in the year 2005 ... 
------------------
Aiello's House of Gauss
My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield
|
|
|
|
Craig Hawks
From:
North Ridgeville, Ohio, USA
|
Posted 20 Mar 2005 5:36 pm
|
|
Here's some info I got directly from Jason Lollar via email a week or so ago. I think it might add to this discussion a little.
"alnico degausses almost by sneezing on it so in best cicumstance just having like poles in proximity will degauss some amount. You can usually get a couple hundred moure gauss by remagging but I dont know why you would want to on those- people like the sound of the old pickups, why change it unless you want a little more zing out of it. So you can see some guys will like it and some wont. I dont care to debate that.
Rick horseshoes on the otherhand can loose 2/3rds or more of thier power again though if you like the way it sounds you might not like the added bass, better string balance and zing and dynamic range.
What bill L says is alnico doesnt age, well it doesnt but it will degauss- loose power quite easily.
not all old pickups are alnico and they will crap out.
Jason Lollar[This message was edited by Craig Hawks on 20 March 2005 at 05:41 PM.] |
|
|
|
Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
|
Posted 20 Mar 2005 5:49 pm
|
|
| Quote: |
| if you like the way it sounds you might not like the added bass, better string balance and zing and dynamic range. |
Hee, hee ... 
Just for the record ... I don't make a dime remagin' for folks ...
|
|
|
|
Bill Blacklock
From:
Powell River, British Columbia, Canada
|
Posted 20 Mar 2005 7:25 pm
|
|
| My magnets are on there way to Rick for a re-mag, It will be interesting to hear the difference with the new 1 Meg. pots and the recharge on the magnets, should scream like a witch!! Its the least I can do after all the years of loyal service. Bill |
|
|
|
Andy Sandoval
From:
Bakersfield, California, USA
|
Posted 20 Mar 2005 10:00 pm
|
|
How much hassle is it to do stringmaster pickups?...are they hard to take out?
------------------
Fender Stringmaster T8, Carter D-10, 54' Fender Champion, two Oahu laps, two National laps, and two Resonators
|
|
|
|
Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
|
Posted 21 Mar 2005 5:01 am
|
|
Any single coil ... magnetic pole piece pickup is easy.
The majority of my remag jobs have been the types of magnets that are "set up" for degaussing.
Fender Traps/Boxcars and Supro types ... are the most "notorious" degaussers. That steel cover/bottom plate ... which is necessary for them to function ... physically yolks the (N) to (N) & (S) to (S) poles ...
So even though the magnets are alnico ... they degauss over time.
And of course Rickys ... as described above.
|
|
|
|
Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
|
Posted 23 Mar 2005 3:38 pm
|
|
Both Bill's magnets arrived today ... and I just came up from doin' 'em.
Bill M. ... I hope you are up for a "revelation" ...
Yours arrived at 92 gauss and 98 gauss (midgap) ...
They are goin' home ... at 205 gauss and 212 gauss.
Bill B. ... yours came in at 145 gauss and 155 gauss ...
And are heading back at 216 gauss and 222 gauss.
Enjoy ...
------------------
Aiello's House of Gauss
My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield
|
|
|
|
Bill McCloskey
From:
Nanuet, NY
|
Posted 23 Mar 2005 4:07 pm
|
|
Rick,
Can't thank you enough and I can't wait to get them back on the Rick. I asked you this in a private email, but for the sake of the group: what is the average gauss you normally see when they come in. |
|
|
|
Rick Aiello
From:
Berryville, VA USA
|
Posted 23 Mar 2005 4:17 pm
|
|
As I just said in your reply ...
As far as the "incoming" strength ... they were lower than most ...
In fact ... I was afraid that these might be the "weaker prewars" ... since they were so low.
I've had sets that only charged to 130 gauss ...
Prewars are very "inconsistant" ...
Post wars are much more consistant and stronger ... better grade steel. They always charge to around 225 gauss.
Except those made in the mid 60's till the end ... they are very poor quality steel. They only charge up to about 90 - 100 gauss (midgap).
Anyway ...
Yours ended up ... with the best of them ... 210 gauss for a prewar is about as high as they get.
You are in for "one serious" treat ...
------------------
Aiello's House of Gauss
My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield
[This message was edited by Rick Aiello on 23 March 2005 at 04:20 PM.] |
|
|
|
Andre Nizzari
From:
Bronx, NY
|
Posted 23 Mar 2005 8:39 pm
|
|
There should be more people in the world out there like Rick. We are very fortunate to have him here for us to charge up them mags. He charged up my model 59 mags, that guitar sounds great for the blues! And my ace mags are on the way to him now. I can't thank him enough. Thanks Rick!!!
-Andre'
[This message was edited by Andre Nizzari on 23 March 2005 at 08:40 PM.] |
|
|
|
