Got a tough pickup question -like physics?

[Nathan]

SO I got me a cool-looking pickup from an old Framus archtop that I want to put in my tele, neck position. I have to admit that I mainly bought it because I thought it looked cool, and it may not have the output I need to match up with my bridge pickup.

So I'm trying to figure out what can be done to boost the volume of this thing. I am told that a rewind may be in order, but that the casing is small, so it may not be possible to wind very much wire on the bobbin. I don't want an overwound tone anyway, but what can you do with the magnet(s), knowing that the size/shape of the magnet is NOT a common size?

-Would you put another stronger magnet underneath?
-Re-magnetize the existing magnet?
-Try to re-shape another one?

What are the options? Thanks!

[fakeocaster]

such as MXR , bad bob etc

[Teletwang]

Originally Posted by fakeocaster

such as MXR , bad bob etc

But that would boost both pickups.Same difference,just louder

[moonshiner]

Inside of your guitar focused only on 1 pup?

Maybe?

[Nathan]

Naah, I have a good booster, but I'm wanting to amplify the B-field or at least the magnetic coefficient within the solenoid (coil) which is what makes the induced current in the first place.

I've seen small pickups that are really loud (say SD rail pups) and big ones that are not (some P-90 types or Dearmond). I'm sure thare's got to be a way!

I communicated with Jason Lollar, who isn't optimistic, and that surprises me since he's quite a guru.

FYI, the bridge pup is a Fralin steel pole 42 wound stock at 7.5 K. It has to stay in the guitar because it's the bomb. The neck version didn't do much for me, hence the idea to work on the cool-looking one.

[Teletwang]

Originally Posted by Nathan

I communicated with Jason Lollar, who isn't optimistic, and that surprises me since he's quite a guru....

... hence the idea to work on the cool-looking one.

Maybe cool looking but still a Framus p'up.Not to put it
down but it hardly seems worth the effort.

[Joe-Bob]

Lower the height of the bridge pup to even them out.

[sparky]

You say it MAY not have the output; have you tried it as it is? You may like it, and you can adjust the bridge pick-up as Joe-Bob says if necessary.
Or you may hate the sound, then you've nothing to lose by trying your mods. Of your suggestions, I like the extra magnet as you can change back easily. You could also try making a steel baseplate to fit underneath (similar to a stock bridge PU).
You could even buy another pick-up chosen just for tone and fit it inside your cool-looking cover.
There again "I'm wanting to amplify the B-field or at least the magnetic coefficient within the solenoid" sounds like you know a fair bit about pick-ups already :).

[Nathan]

Thanks for the help everyone. I suppose nobody's really tried this before. I'll be the first. The pickup is in transit, and even once it gets here, I have to modify my tele a bit to test it out. I like the idea of a base plate. I also have the neck steel pole that could donate organs. Initially, I wanted Fralin's Jazz-Blues pup, but it sure is pricey ($120)! Well, I'll post back when I get something sorted out.

[guitar_ed]

Two volume knobs. Find out where the volumes are about the same and mark the knobs. Then, you can get a booster box if required and things will still be balanced.

Guitar Ed

[Nathan]

Well FYI the pup arrived today. It is rather flimsy, reads 4.75 K, and the magnets are weak. My theory of "won't balance with the bridge pickup" is a definite reality. So I ripped up the neck Fralin, and the magnets are strong. They'll go in the Framus pickup without changing the coils before I go on to rewind it. Even if I do, I may have a go at it myself because I realized that I can't afford to pay someone to do it. Turns out it is the exact same size as the Fralin Jazz-Blues pickup! I wonder if I didn't accidentally discover their inspiration for that model?