Valco string through pickups...

[Jon den Boer]

I recently acquired an old silvertone lap steel from the 50's, and it has the string thru pickup... all strings save for the 5th, sound clear and loud. I seem to remember a few threads on this very topic, where one could spruce these up with new magnets? I know that Lollar makes a killer one, but I'm thinking that this can be saved? All and any help is much appreciated!!

[Steinar Gregertsen]

Rick Aiello used to make some killer magnets for those pickups, but according to his website he's not taking orders "at this time": http://www.horseshoemagnets.com/

Those pickups are very sensitive to how close the screws are to the strings,- is it possible to raise the screw under the 5th string just a little?
Also check that both magnets actually are magnets, on some models one of them is only a piece of silver painted wood...

[Doug Beaumier]

ditto on the above....and if one of the pole screws is too close to the string it may distort. Hopefully the screws are not rusted and will turn freely.

[Jon den Boer]

Thanks for the tips, i have also heard about those 'dummy' magnets, and this one is the real deal. Upon further inspection, the screw is lower than the others... i will try and raise it. Thanks again... i should have noticed myself

[Chris Battis]

Jason Lollar can sell you inexpensive new magnets for a string-through Valco p/up, so there's no need to replace the entire unit. I replaced both magnets in my old Supro and the improvement in tone and volume was amazing!

Chris