National, Supro etc string through pickups

Bob Bowman · Post by **Bob Bowman** » 27 Dec 2017 3:38 am

Just plugged in my 1946 (ish) Supro Supreme after quite a while and the string-to-string balance is very uneven. Swapping the magnets around produces variations on this and the magnets themselves seem very weak. Also, the output is much lower than I remember.

I've picked up from other members' postings that a possible solution is to install NIBro magnets but can't find out where to get them

Does anyone have any ideas, please?

Cheers and Happy New Year

Noah Miller · Post by **Noah Miller** » 27 Dec 2017 6:43 am

It's possible that the magnets are out of phase; try flipping one over.

Lee Holliday · Post by **Lee Holliday** » 27 Dec 2017 10:12 pm

Jason Lollar can supply these.

Lee

Bob Bowman · Post by **Bob Bowman** » 28 Dec 2017 3:14 am

Advice much appreciated ...

I've tried the original magnets in every possible orientation with the result that the string balance transfers to other strings and in some configurations, the output is even lower.

Nothing on Jason Lollar's website so I've emailed to ask

Cheers, Bob

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 28 Dec 2017 3:34 am

Jason is certainly the man. I don't know if you know of this guy and I have no idea if he offers tech help or magnet work but just fyi, he is closer to home:

https://www.mojopickups.co.uk/

Bob Bowman · Post by **Bob Bowman** » 28 Dec 2017 3:49 am

Thanks Jon - I've contacted Marc at Mojo. He does make complete Valco style pickups at about the same price as Jason Lollar.

Does anyone know if Rick Aeillo still makes NIBro magnets?

Cheers

Jon Light · Post by **Jon Light** » 28 Dec 2017 4:06 am

Bob Bowman wrote: He does make complete Valco style pickups......

Right. That's why I thought of him. But whether he works on or sells magnets....don't know.

Certainly you should contact Rick. No idea if he's offering services at this time.

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 28 Dec 2017 5:44 am

I'll make you a set this week ....

Lee Holliday · Post by **Lee Holliday** » 29 Dec 2017 12:48 am

Bob where in the UK are you.

Lee

Bob Bowman · Post by **Bob Bowman** » 30 Jan 2018 8:27 am

Got some new side magnets from Mojo in the UK and before fitting them I noticed that the pole adjusting screws were seized. (Fixed now)

Under the pup assembly I found 4 magnets as in the photo(my pencil markings 1-4) with nothing holding them to the assembly base apart from magnetism.

Magnets 2 & 4 both fit over the centre polepiece adjusting screws but 1 & 3 appear to have wandered off.

So, here are the questions - are they in the right place and do they need a spot of glue?

Lap steel is a 1946(ish) Supro Supreme

Cheers

Noah Miller · Post by **Noah Miller** » 30 Jan 2018 8:32 am

I'm not sure what's going on, except that those magnets don't belong there. They're probably the reason for the imbalance in the first place.

Lee Holliday · Post by **Lee Holliday** » 30 Jan 2018 12:38 pm

Yes the Magnets are somebodies handywork, take them away and trust the original design.

Lee

David M Brown · Post by **David M Brown** » 31 Jan 2018 4:50 am

Get rid of the extra magnets, and use the little screws for string-to string balance adjustments.

I love those old Supros and Nationals!

Ian McLatchie · Post by **Ian McLatchie** » 31 Jan 2018 12:58 pm

Yes, raising the pole pieces can improve output enormously. On almost all of the many Supros I've owned the pieces have been set too low. Make sure they turn without resistance before you begin adjusting them, though. They break very easily!

Bob Bowman · Post by **Bob Bowman** » 2 Feb 2018 2:25 am

Pole pieces freed up from underneath with pliers and GT85, extra magnets removed and now all is well.

Screw adjustment is VERY sensitive and makes a massive difference

Thanks for all of the good advice - SGF is sooo good

Cheers