SILHOUETTE SPECIAL POLE PIECES

[alanstclair]

Hey everyone, I have a client with a Silouette SSS model and he is complaining about the volume differences between the strings on the bridge pick up.
Is it possible to adjust the pole pieces without damaging the coil?
I havent taken the guitar apart yet to examne the pick up construction to see if the coil is wrapped directly onto the pole pieces, so any help would be welcome to avoid this.

 

[beej]

I don't believe I've seen anyone try this before. They're standard Dimarzio single coils, so you could try emailing their tech support and asking.

That said, I'm inclined to think you could pry the pole pieces up without any damage. Or just buy different pickups

 

[daneford]

Or just buy different pickups

This is the route I'd go. Dimarzio's 25% off black friday sale is just around the corner, too.

 

[nervous]

I cannot speak to the SS pickups specifically but I can say that the Dimarzio humbuckers in the Axis (older models in my case) had slug poles that did move pretty easily without damage and I believe I accessed them through the back with a small punch. In my case it was to clean some rust off the polepieces that sat flush or slightly below the cover. Not sure if other EBMM/Dimarzio pickups would be similarly constructed.



And the SS looks to have accessible poles:


Perhaps this forum might also provide some insight:

DiMarzio Forum - Index

DiMarzio Forum - Index

www.dimarzioforum.com

 

[alanstclair]

I cannot speak to the SS pickups specifically but I can say that the Dimarzio humbuckers in the Axis (older models in my case) had slug poles that did move pretty easily without damage and I believe I accessed them through the back with a small punch. In my case it was to clean some rust off the polepieces that sat flush or slightly below the cover. Not sure if other EBMM/Dimarzio pickups would be similarly constructed.

View attachment 44194

And the SS looks to have accessible poles:
View attachment 44195

Perhaps this forum might also provide some insight:

DiMarzio Forum - Index

DiMarzio Forum - Index

www.dimarzioforum.com

Many thanks, my client loves the sound of this pick up, but not the balance. So I would rather not replace it.

 

[nervous]

Many thanks, my client loves the sound of this pick up, but not the balance. So I would rather not replace it.

Never meant to imply that it should be changed. Only to indicate that based on my experience with the Dimarzio humbuckers and the original single coil pickup construction moving or gently sliding those poles up and down may very well be possible as you had originally inquired.

 

[Astrofreq]

I've never done this either, but I've read that people get a soldering iron to warm up the poles, then they can slide up/down.

 

[tbonesullivan]

Aren't most single coils still "staggered" in the way that is best for a wound G string? Or are the single coils on the Silo a custom design?

 

[DrKev]

A possible problem is that the pole pieces have no additional length below the coil. That means that if you raise a pole piece up enough to make an audible difference, the bottom of the pole piece will end up inside the coil, which means the total mass of magnet inside the coil is reduced, which could change the sound somewhat, which I'm guessing the client could be sensitive to. Maybe that will be acceptable, but maybe not. Also, you may be able to do it successfully with care but there is always a risk of damage to the pickup, necessitating a complete rewind to repair. Myself, and most other techs I know, won't recommend risking that.

I think the best thing to do is call Dimarzio, ask them which pickup they can sell you is closest in tone to the custom singles for the Silhouette Special and buy a staggered version of that.

 

[alanstclair]

A possible problem is that the pole pieces have no additional length below the coil. That means that if you raise a pole piece up enough to make an audible difference, the bottom of the pole piece will end up inside the coil, which means the total mass of magnet inside the coil is reduced, which could change the sound somewhat, which I'm guessing the client could be sensitive to. Maybe that will be acceptable, but maybe not. Also, you may be able to do it successfully with care but there is always a risk of damage to the pickup, necessitating a complete rewind to repair. Myself, and most other techs I know, won't recommend risking that.

I think the best thing to do is call Dimarzio, ask them which pickup they can sell you is closest in tone to the custom singles for the Silhouette Special and buy a staggered version of that.

Hi Dr. Kev..many thanks for your informed reply. I have found a couple of images of a B1 pick up that is the one fitted in the bridge and it seems to have a bar magnet on the base plate?Is this a hum cancelling unit?...I guess this means I definatley cant push the taller pole pieces down, and would have to raise the lower ones to get a balance. This all seems a bit too risky for me. I think its better, as you suggest, to ask Di Marzio for their recomendation for a new pick up in the same tonal range with non staggered pole pieces