Microphonic PU

[Joe M]

The used Nocaster that I recently purchased sounds great except that the bridge pickup is microphonic. I really like the sound of the pu but am not too happy with the microphonics. Will waxing the pu solve the problem or will I just have to live with it or is there another solution? Also, what would it cost for a good tech to wax it?

Thanks....

[e-merlin]

Usually potting will do the trick but I had one Tele that just didn't respond to it. I can't answer the "how much does it cost" question because I do my own.

[62_Inca_Esquire]

Originally Posted by Joe M

The used Nocaster that I recently purchased sounds great except that the bridge pickup is microphonic. I really like the sound of the pu but am not too happy with the microphonics. Will waxing the pu solve the problem or will I just have to live with it or is there another solution? Also, what would it cost for a good tech to wax it?

Thanks....

wax potting it will definitely help the microphonics...but it'll also change the tone of the pickup...it'll lose some high end and "liveliness"....

the best sounding teles ive ever heard ALL had microphonic pickups....every time you moved the switch or hit the bridge too hard it'd come through the pickup....but the pickups souunded amazing.

my $.02

[Mark Davis]

Same here you actually want some microphonics. When you flip the switch hear the click the switch makes cause the pup is microphonic is part of the sound.

I wouldnt change anything unless its squealing out of control.

[Joe M]

Thanks for the replies, guys, looks like I'll leave it as it is, I sure don't want to lose the sound....

[tjalla]

In fact I recall someone here - a regular but this was quite a while back - actually baked a Duncan broadcaster in an oven (he must have got the temperature just right!) to free up some of the wax potting with the specific intention of getting some microphonics happening. Its a good thing you got there Joe - others have gone to lengths to get that tone.

I'll echo these sentiments myself - my Duncan Antiquity has got that 'click' when you move the switch to the bridge, and that pickup sounds more "alive" than the Fender, Voodoo, HD, Fralin and Rio Grande pickups I've also tried.

My .02