Pick-up windings broken

[owb3]

I just noticed that one of my numerous tele bridge pickups is damaged. A few of the outer copper windings on the side of the coil are broken (probably from bumping up against another object in the box. This pickup does not have the protecting waxed string windings around the coil).

Since the copper wire is uninsulated, is any circuit broken? Does anything need to be done? Is the pickup ruined? I haven't put the pickup in yet, but I think it still works.

Should I apply some lacquer or wax to prevent further damage? Or what?

[Chris (UK)]

I know it doesn't look like it, but in actual fact it is covered in an insulating varnish. If it weren't you wouldn't have a 'coil'! :)
Now, since you say that the outer wires are broken, it might be possible to unwind the broken bits until you get back to intact wire, and then reconnect with little or no audible effect. However, be aware that you can't just solder through the varnish; you have to carefully strip the end just like a jacket-insulated wire. (Not with wire-strippers of course - I think a small craft knife/scalpel is the tool to use.)
I would assume that the pickup isn't working in its current state. Have you checked DC resistance with a meter? What (kilo-ohm) reading do you get?
Personally I would take it to a professinal tech, otherwise I'd always wonder if I'd done the repair properly. Pickup coils should be wax-potted to prevent microphonic squealing etc, and then covered with something - either "fabric" tape as used on current Fenders, or string as you say, or at least PVC electrical tape. Hope this helps!

[Caper]

I broke the winding on a neck pickup and had a friend who was better at soldering than me fix it. Been using the pickup for 6 months now with no problems. Like the previous poster stated the winding is coated and you have to remove the coating to get a good solder joint.

[SCOTT HARMONIC]

Originally Posted by owb3

I just noticed that one of my numerous tele bridge pickups is damaged. A few of the outer copper windings on the side of the coil are broken (probably from bumping up against another object in the box. This pickup does not have the protecting waxed string windings around the coil).

Since the copper wire is uninsulated, is any circuit broken? Does anything need to be done? Is the pickup ruined? I haven't put the pickup in yet, but I think it still works.

Should I apply some lacquer or wax to prevent further damage? Or what?

hiya
if any part of the coil-winding is broken, the pickup's dead for sure...as some folks suggested, it's sometimes possible to de-wind a layer or two past the damaged area, and re-connect things--maybe worth a try, since it's already broke ;-)

unless it from the 1950's, you don't need to remove/strip anything, the insulation will be of the 'solderable- type ;-)

but all in all, a re-wind is the most likely ;-(
thanx

[Lance]

I just noticed you're here. Just want to say, I'm loving the pickups that I put in my PartsoTele a year (or two?) ago from you. Keep up the good work!

Lance

[owb3]

Great answers, very helpful, thanks.