An easy way to make a pickup from a transformer. Part 2: Use
Introduction
Prerequisites. This is the continuation of the other post, “Happiness Does Exist! An Easy Way to Make a Magnetic Pickup“. Now it’s about the implementation of the idea of the DIY pickup from the transformer.
Charger
In the previous post, I said “spare transformer” to use, but I forgot to say where you can find it. Technically, in any electrical device, you can find the transformer. But personally, I use the small charging devices that you can have as leftovers from your outdated phones, tablets, or any other similar devices.
Transformer
All that I need in the transformer is one coil. Usually, a transformer has two coils. I need one. So, I usually pick the bigger coil and dispose of the smaller one.
But before I can deal with the coils, I need to remove the core. The core of this type of transformer is usually a shell type. It’s a set of iron plates.
Using a sharp knife, carefully separate the first plate. This is the most difficult step. The rest of the plates should go quite easily. Warning to do it carefully, I mean the personal safety. You should not worry about banding the plates. In any case, you will throw them away.
Putting Pickup Together
After getting rid of the core plates and the second coil, I left a small plastic frame with a coil.
Now it’s time to add the neodymium magnets to the opening in the frame. The more magnets you can pack into it, the better. In my case, it is four magnets.
Now we need to solder the shielded wire to the ends of the coil for future connection with the controls.
Demo of the Implementation of the Pickup From the Transformer
I have prepared a short clip with a demonstration of the implementation of such a pickup.
In my case, it’s a two-string cigar box guitar. So, such a small pickup was enough for two strings. But if in your case it’s more strings, you can join consequently as many pickups as you need. That’s what I did in the Cigar Box Ukulele project.
