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I've got some old SD Super Distortions that are horribly microphonic.
I have them installed in my Iceman, and with the gain levels I use.....I can't even play it.

I read about potting them by melting wax onto the back of the pickup and using a heat gun (or hair dryer) to melt the wax into the pickup. (Curtis Novak's site)

Has anyone tried this?
Sounds legit, unless your pickup is real bad.

I'd do the standard double boiler potting, but that would require a lot more prep, purchase and time.

guess you're not into the neil young thing? (i guess his bridge pickup isn't potted and is SUPER microphonic, like... you can sing into it)

the double boiler setup is actually SUPER quick. i haven't done it for potting pickups, but i waxed some canvas for my lady's garden tote/apron. i think the total investment was like $1=20 (i bought a pot for it, but used my kitchen cookstuff)

Just get a small bowl and melt the wax in it using the heat gun, super duper quick and easy.

antennafarm wrote:guess you're not into the neil young thing? (i guess his bridge pickup isn't potted and is SUPER microphonic, like... you can sing into it)

the double boiler setup is actually SUPER quick. i haven't done it for potting pickups, but i waxed some canvas for my lady's garden tote/apron. i think the total investment was like $1=20 (i bought a pot for it, but used my kitchen cookstuff)

I like Neil's style and his tone, but for me, it doesn't work. Hit the gain and blow everyone's eardrums out.
I prefer that if I mute the strings with my hand, the feedback is subdued/controled or stops.
As it sits, any break in playing results in shrill feedback.

I'm saying I'd have to get all that shit, set it up, figure it out.........a lot of screwing around to pot 2 pickups............which seems like a real pain.
if the easy way doesn't work, I won't have much choice but to try the double boiler OR send them off to be potted.

I don't need to buy anything for the easy way.

i wish you all success!

I would try the hair dryer method, and wouldn't put a heat gun anywhere near a pickup.

The cheapest of heat guns put out 550F+ degrees on low. Solder melts at 370F. Paraffin wax ignites at around 400F. Be careful.

Also, plastic bobbins can deform at a pretty low temperature.

Good luck!

It was messy and didn't work. Lol.

I ended up melting the wax and pouring it on....rather than trying to melt it on....

pics for community entertainment!

Already all cleaned up. Sorry.

+1 for double boiling.

Putting duct tape over the holes in the cover might help too. I forgot about these last time and had some leakage and air pockets due to my own impatience waiting for them to cool down and set, which didn't result in the best encapsulation..