What does wax potting pickups do?

Potting is the process of soaking the pickup in melted wax, in order to saturate the components, which will isolate them and reduce movement of the coils. Because of this, potted pickups have reduced likelihood of excessive handling noise, microphonic feedback or mechanical failure.

Is wax potting pickups necessary?

Wax Potting is an essential part of the pickup-making process. At Fralin Pickups, it is the last step of the manufacturing process before it goes to the shipping room. It is a delicate and vital technique that requires a good deal of attention to the details.

Why do wax pots have pickups?

Potting pickups with wax has been going on for a long time, and was originally intended to attenuate feedback—loose coil windings that vibrate in sympathy with acoustic sound will induce that acoustic sound into the amplified signal and create a feedback loop.

What is the difference between potted and Unpotted pickups?

The main differences between wax potted pickups and non wax potted pickups are that wax potted pickups are less prone to microphonic feedback due to the potting process that immobilizes their internal components preventing them to be affected by vibrations or perturbations. Non wax potted pickups are noisier.

How do you pick up wax?

Scrape off excess wax. Lay a damp, lint-free white cloth over the wax and apply medium heat with an iron; the wax will adhere to the cloth. Use rubbing alcohol to remove residue. Or freeze the wax with an ice pack, then shatter the frozen clump with a blunt object, like the handle of a kitchen utensil.

Are Fender pickups wax potted?

Fender potted most of their pickups in wax, but they also did a number of them in lacquer.

Why are microphonic pickups bad?

You’ll get much more sparkle out of them in that scenario than you would get with potted pickups. It’s with high amounts of gain or distortion that a microphonic pickup is more likely to become unusable.