Dirty Fingers Project

[Don O]

Whoa, what a thread title . OK, this is a Gibson 1981 set of pickups project (the pickups are named dirty fingers). So I acquired a set of dead 1981 DF pups for experimenting with. Never took apart pups before, so this was a first.



Both ohm metered open. So I carefully took the black tape off the first one. Ohm metered each bobbin and one was open but the other measured 8.2K nice!



Starting looking at the dead coil and found these. Not good.



Moved on to the second pup. Opened it up and ureka, the opposite coil to the first one measured 8.2K ! I unsoldered and removed the good coil. Installed it on the first pup with its good coil and I now have a working DF pup for next to nothing ! I was able to reuse the original black tape and it is good as new.
Now I’m on the hunt for another DF pup, but the cream colored ones are like hens teeth, damn . So a working or dead set are now on my radar.

 

[Mr Grumpy]

&, your skill set just keeps growing, Don!

In the fourth pic, are the pole pieces missing (I know, I apologize in advance, but I just wanna understand properly.)?

 

[Don O]

&, your skill set just keeps growing, Don!

In the fourth pic, are the pole pieces missing (I know, I apologize in advance, but I just wanna understand properly.)?

Thanks. Yes, the poles piece screws are removed as they screw into the baseplate. See pic 2.

 

[BFT Gibson]

I absolutely love DFers..cool stuff

 

[Cadorman]

I can send Boo out to help you unwind the two broken coils. He's really good with guitar strings as well.

 

[Don O]

I can send Boo out to help you unwind the two broken coils. He's really good with guitar strings as well.

I was wandering if someplace can rewind these things. I’m guessing it would cost more than a new guitar.

 

[RVA]

I was wandering if someplace can rewind these things. I’m guessing it would cost more than a new guitar.

Just buy a winder for the price of a set of expensive HBs

Mojotone Pickup Coil Winding Machine

Here we are folks! Finally after several years of research and development, Mojotone has created the most versatile, compact, and heavy duty pickup coil winder available! FEATURES Heavy duty 24VDC geared motor High efficiency dual H bridge motor driver uController controlled speed, direction...

www.mojotone.com

Manual winders can be cheap

www.amazon.com/PanelTech-Purpose-Electric-Machine-Counter/dp/B07FY9VVQF/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=guitar+pickup+winder&qid=1612413509&sr=8-3

 

[Don O]

Just buy a winder for the price of a set of expensive HBs

Mojotone Pickup Coil Winding Machine

Here we are folks! Finally after several years of research and development, Mojotone has created the most versatile, compact, and heavy duty pickup coil winder available! FEATURES Heavy duty 24VDC geared motor High efficiency dual H bridge motor driver uController controlled speed, direction...

www.mojotone.com

Manual winders can be cheap

www.amazon.com/PanelTech-Purpose-Electric-Machine-Counter/dp/B07FY9VVQF/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=guitar+pickup+winder&qid=1612413509&sr=8-3

Oh, as much as I love having tools, THAT looks like it would be a huge rabbit hole

 

[RVA]

Oh, as much as I love having tools, THAT looks like it would be a huge rabbit hole

Lately, I find rabbit holes very cozy. It is rough up here at ground level!

 

[Mr Grumpy]

It is rough up here at ground level!

At hard times, coming back to Ground Level always helps.
(Not my favourite genre, but a really great song, album, band.)

 

[RVA]

At hard times, coming back to Ground Level always helps.
(Not my favourite genre, but a really great song, album, band.)

I enjoyed that. Thanks

 

[Inspector #20]

Nice work, Don!!!!

For rewinds, a single coil is generally $65.00. Steve Kersting at S.K Guitar Specialties is local here in SoCal. Not sure if he is still at it, but here's his contact info.

Skgs@comcast.net & kersting_steven@hotmail.com

​

 

[Don O]

Nice work, Don!!!!

For rewinds, a single coil is generally $65.00. Steve Kersting at S.K Guitar Specialties is local here in SoCal. Not sure if he is still at it, but here's his contact info.

Skgs@comcast.net & kersting_steven@hotmail.com

​

Thanks, I’ll check him out !

 

[Inspector #20]

There's also a guy in Hesperia making pickups, but I can't recall his name right now...

 

[Don O]

I just emailed Steve a few minutes ago. I’ll report back if he responds. It would be great to get these rewound, as I can’t find ANY cream color DF ones.

 

[Amp Mad Scientist]

Nice work, Don!!!!

For rewinds, a single coil is generally $65.00. Steve Kersting at S.K Guitar Specialties is local here in SoCal. Not sure if he is still at it, but here's his contact info.

Skgs@comcast.net & kersting_steven@hotmail.com

​

You should see...Bartolini
They use a 3D printer to make the bobbins.
Then they wind a PU in less than 5 minutes. (I worked there...)
The pickup is held together by super glue.

It's put together by labor - paid low sub-standard wages. So each PU costs them about $6.00

 

[Mr Grumpy]

Dirty fingers from dirty folks with dirty minds, sticking dirty things into dirty orifices with dirty results...








On another note, great pickups!

 

[Mitch Pearrow SJMP]

I absolutely love them in my V .
Cheers

 

[Don O]

I absolutely love them in my V .
Cheers

Mitch, what year is your V?

 

[Mitch Pearrow SJMP]

Mitch, what year is your V?

2018 Don and I understand the hens teeth remark, I think the cream ones would look great in my V , but I also love just how it is , I think my V has a bit of magic in it lol..
Cheers