What kind of pickups are used on older Fender Lap Steels?
There were several types of pickups used on K & F and Fender lap steels. In Leo s and Doc Kauffman s early patent number 2,455,575 filed on September 26, 1944 and granted on December 7, 1948 there are several components. The bobbin consisted of a Vulcanized bobbin with 6 tubes in which the strings would go through without touching the walls of the cylinders. The pickup used two Alnico bar magnets and held in place by two fabricated case hardened steel shells and the bottom shell or case would support the string and guide it through the cylindrical tubes. The case hardening keeps the string from cutting into the edge of the material. The strings were actually through the center of the coil. The pickups looked rectangular from the top. The front side of the shells or casing are notched between each string to focus the magnet field to the strings. Each end of the pickup uses a sand cast Alnico magnet with the same polarity facing up on each end. Below are some winding specs for a few Dire
