The Guitar Pickup Builder's Bible:

A Guide to Design, Build and Modify

By: Johnny Fall

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Length: 2 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Introducing "The Guitar Pickup Builder's Bible: A Guide to Design, Build and Modify" – the ultimate resource for guitar enthusiasts and DIY enthusiasts alike. This comprehensive guidebook provides a wealth of knowledge and practical advice on designing, building, and modifying guitar pickups to achieve the perfect tone and sound.

In the introduction, the author explains the purpose and goals of the book, delves into the history of guitar pickups, and provides an overview of the contents of the book. From there, the book is divided into five chapters, each covering an essential aspect of guitar pickup building.

Chapter 1, "Understanding Guitar Pickups," is a deep dive into the basic principles of guitar pickups, including magnetism, coil winding, and impedance. The author discusses the different types of guitar pickups and their unique characteristics, including single-coil, humbucker, P90, and more. The chapter also includes a discussion of key factors that affect the sound and performance of pickups, including magnet strength, wire gauge, and winding techniques.

Chapter 2, "Tools and Materials," provides an overview of the tools and materials needed for building guitar pickups, including magnets, wire, bobbins, and more. The author explains the different types of magnets and their properties, including Alnico II, Alnico V, and ceramic magnets. The chapter also covers different types of wire and their characteristics, including plain enamel, polyurethane, and more.

Chapter 3, "Building Classic Pickups," is where the rubber meets the road. The author provides detailed instructions for building classic guitar pickups, including the P.A.F. Humbucker (1957–1960), P-90 Single Coil (1952), F-bird (1963), Mini-Bucker (1969), Charlie Christian (1936-1938), B-Caster (1950), S-Caster Single Coil (1950s & 1960s), T-Caster Single Coil (1950s & 1960s), 1971 Wider-RangeBucker (1971), F-Tron Humbucker (1957), D-Sonic Single Coil (1940s), and D-Lipstick Single Coil (1947), and 70s Super Humbucker (1970s). The chapter includes discussions of the techniques and materials used in classic pickup building, as well as different winding techniques and how they can affect the sound and performance of pickups.

Chapter 4, "Customizing Your Pickups," provides tips and techniques for customizing guitar pickups to achieve specific tones and sounds. The author covers series, parallel, and series-parallel wiring, different ways to modify pickups, including magnet swapping, wire changes, and 50s wiring. The chapter also includes an overview of tools and techniques for testing and measuring pickup performance, as well as instructions for wax potting pickups.

Chapter 5, "Troubleshooting and Maintenance," covers common problems with guitar pickups and how to diagnose and fix them. The author also provides tips for maintaining and caring for your pickups to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

In the conclusion, the author provides a summary of key points covered in the book, discusses the ongoing evolution of guitar pickups, and encourages readers to experiment and explore their own pickup-building projects.

The appendix includes additional resources for pickup-building, including websites, forums, and suppliers, as well as a glossary of terms and concepts related to guitar pickups.

"The Guitar Pickup Builder's Bible: A Guide to Design, Build and Modify" is a must-have for anyone interested in the art and science of guitar pickup building. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a novice, this book is the ultimate resource for achieving the perfect tone and sound. So what are you waiting for? Pick up your copy today and start building!