Pickup choices (U-12)

[chris hillman]

My pickup in my Excel has started to go microphonic. I've lived with it for a while but trying to figure out what my options are for either getting it repotted (or whatever needs doing to fix it) or what other options are out there for buying a new one? I've seen you can get various George L ones but I'm not sure

[Ken Byng]

Chris
The best bets to go for are those pickups that have been wax potted if you don't want a pickup to become microphonic. George L and Wilde (formerly Bill Lawrence) pickups are also both potted. Both of these manufacturers build humbucker pickups.

Alumitone pickups are also worth a try, as their design would mean that they won't become microphonic after a period of time either and thus don't or can't require potting. The Alumitone is lighter in weight than a standard humbucker with wire coils, and has more output.

[simon_f3]

Chris, if the pickup is microphonic anyway (and therefore needs fixing or replacing) you could always try re-potting it yourself. Just heat up a saucepan of beeswax until it melts, put the pickup in and wiggle it until the bubbles stop. Might be worth a try as a [nearly] free fix? Lots of vids on youtube showing the method
Cheers, Sid