Completed the Alnico 5's.
Used 42 AWG PE.
(took readings this morning so they have cooled and are at room temp.)
Used 8500 winds for bridge- 6.42k
8400 for middle- 6.25
8300 for neck- 6.15
Grey bottom and wrapped.
Potted. ( don't do unless you know about the hazards)
Out of the wax. Readings will be higher- I got a 7.1+ on the bridge while hot.
A plastic pup cover can still be used.
I'll be building three more for this build.
It's said that the A5's are good for "warmer" woods and A2's are good for "brighter" woods.
I'll find out how true that is for me.
A tip;
Since many of the Strats have plastic bobbins it's easy to make a major upgrade and much cheaper
than purchasing new pups.
Get Alnico's and replace the steel ones- you can tell if yours have the cheap steel ones because there will be two magnet bars glued to the bottom of the pups.
There are two different rod diameters used, .187 and .195 - easy enough to measure and get the right Alnico ones that are @ $2.00 ea. So for about $12.00 per pup you can make a major tone change to the guitar. That sure beats $200.00 for a new set (3).
They are also offered in different lengths. One may be able to use one length and set as preferred it doesn't hurt if some extend out the bottom if there is room in cavity when pup height is determined.
The coil wire doesn't contact the magnets/rods with a plastic bobbin so it's hard to damage the pup changing the rods...but I know that some could.
Mojotone is where I like to get pup parts.
Yes you'll need two magnets as they don't arrive charged.
So for the price of about one pickup all three can be upgraded. I know many members here talk about making upgrades to their lower end models...this is the first one I'd do. This and knowing how important adjusting them is, is the place to start IMO.
Time for more coffee. Hope you enjoyed.