PRECISION BASS® LOADED PICKGUARD WITH NEODYMIUM HANDMADE PICKUP

This pre-wired four-string Precision bass loaded pickguard represents an authentic upgrading thanks to its pickup which, despite a traditional external appearance, has been developed around a type of magnet having superior characteristics and, therefore, really innovative compared to the usual AlNiCo and ferrite: neodymium.

In addition to the adoption of neodymium magnets, one for each single pole piece, the attention in the development phase was concentrated on the relationship between the geometry of the single magnets and the relative pole pieces, as well as on the type of enameled wire and relative quantity to be wind on each single coil, to obtain a sound not only characterized by a balanced, warm naturalness that is difficult to compare (therefore without any unwanted coloring), but also by a dynamics, a richness of harmonics, a response to the touch and an extension of the response in frequency unknown to pickups equipped with traditional magnets.

Another characteristic feature of the installed pickup is the decidedly high output level, resulting not only from the power of the neodymium magnets installed, but also to the 18.8 Kohm (9.4 + 9.4 Kohm) of Rs of AWG44 wire wound in the coils.

Even the nominal values ​​of the two potentiometers and of the tone capacitor were chosen as they were considered optimal for obtaining the best sonic performance, in combination with this handcrafted pickup. This explains why the choose of 500K potentiometers and the 22nF (polypropylene) capacitor instead of the traditional 250K and 47nF usually adopted, especially in combination with pickups equipped with AlNiCo magnets.

The winding of the coils (obviously RWRP with respect to each other) was carried out by guiding the wire by hand and the subsequent waxing took place in a mixture of paraffin and beeswax in a 3:1 w/w ratio, such as to guarantee the necessary elasticity and therefore immunity over time from the triggering of unwanted squeal.

As you can see from the attached photos, the back of the pickguard is totally shielded with aluminum foil, in order to reduce the electromagnetic disturbances picked up by the electrical circuit.

The optimal situation is configured when also the recess in the body for housing the pickups and electronics are suitably shielded (perhaps by adhesive copper sheet).

The harness of the pickguard is, in fact, equipped with two wires to be connected to ground, one of which, classic, must come into contact with the bridge, while the other, terminated with an eyelet and equipped with a screw, should be fixed to the shield applied in the electronics compartment.

Note: Watching the photographs it seems that each coil is equipped with a single magnetic bar while, instead, they are simple aluminum covers, under which, immersed in resin, are the single neodymium magnets.

THE ELECTRONICS OF THIS PICKGUARD ARE PASSIVE (LIKE ALL THE OTHER PICKGUARDS PRODUCED BY ASAR, BOTH DEDICATED TO THE BASS AND THE GUITAR).

Plate color: PEARL WHITE

Color of the pickup covers: BLACK

Knobs: KNURLED CHROME DOME

Pickup installed: ASAR PB4 ND OC CLASSIC

Together with the pickguard, four screws and four springs are provided for installing the pickup.

The pickguard has been performance tested.