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ThroBak Leesona 102B In The House!

jwalker

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Dec 10, 2004
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2,592
I know this is a nerdy vintage pickup detail but I think it is pretty exciting! One Leesona 102 was not enough so I bought another as backup! I'm still shocked that I ran across a second one in such good shape. It is a Leesona 102B that still has some of the original paperwork dated January 1957, right at the start of the P.A.F. era. The Leesona 102B differs a little cosmetically from the Leesona 102 but mechanically the drive gears, clutches, and traverse cam and layout on this 1957 Leesona 102B are identical to my 1948 Leesona 102. The housings on the Leesona 102b are changed in an effort to seal the oil in better but it still leaks oil.

There is one major improvement though to the auto stop counters with the Leesona 102B that makes them rock solid reliable compared to the crappy auto stop on the Leesona 102. The Leesona 102 had a wonky lever/mercury switch set up that just did not work reliably. The Leesona 102B has an electronic auto stop and improved solenoid set-up that is still running perfectly on this machine. This is speculation on my part but if Gibson had a Leesona 102 and also later bought a Leesona 102B it would explain why some later Leesona winding pattern P.A.F.'s have a much more consistent ohm range than earlier P.A.F.'s. If these later P.A.F's and Pat. # pickups were wound on a Leesona 102B with the improved auto stop it would follow that you would get a more consistent ohm range.

Anyway here are some pictures. This machine is pretty much as it was in 1957 and it still works flawlessly. I have it set up to run P.A.F. bobbins and a P-90 bobbin. It also has quick release chucks so I can do narrow spaced P.A.F. repairs and 7 string stuff if I want. Right now I'm going to run some custom P.A.F. models on it. My 1948 Leesona 102 will continue to wind the standard P.A.F. models on the ThroBak site.

Leesona102B3.jpg
Leesona102B4.jpg
Leesona102B2.jpg
 

pepejara

Active member
Joined
Sep 6, 2003
Messages
2,242
Congrats! A great adition to your arsenal, I couldnt be happier with my two pairs of your pickups!
 

jwalker

Les Paul Forum Sponsor
Joined
Dec 10, 2004
Messages
2,592
Congrats! A great adition to your arsenal, I couldnt be happier with my two pairs of your pickups!


Thanks. Having another Leesona 102 machine like this does free up more winding resources for custom sets that will go on the ThroBak web site soon. I'm pretty happy about it.
 

bigtomrodney

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Nov 7, 2009
Messages
1,448
This just makes me gas more for a set of Throbaks. I'm hoping to bring a pair over the water in the coming year.
 

bluesforstevie

New member
Joined
Jun 20, 2002
Messages
12,771
i remember when I got so much shit by some folks here for touting your pickups. Calling it "flavor of the month" etc.

I've always said I buy the best until something better comes along.:dude: Kick Ass Jon man!!!
 

tuberide

Active member
Joined
Feb 17, 2005
Messages
1,469
Some things make sence and are meant to be. That machine has found it's rightful home and will be put to great use. Congrats Jon
 

jwalker

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Joined
Dec 10, 2004
Messages
2,592
I made a custom set of pickups today on the Leesona-102B for a customer that requested a set at the output of the Bernie Marsden "Beast" Burst. They sound great in my test guitar. It is so cool to operate an old machine like this knowing it has such a strong link to great guitar tones. The Leesona 102B and so many machines from this era were made to last and be repaired if needed. Such a contrast to the disposable machines of today.
 

TM1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
Nerdy Vintage Pickup detail... HEY... I resemble that remark... I'm such a pickup geek. Oh well, I love this stuff. To me it's just Fascinating to learn why different materials have a profound effect on a pickup.
Thanks Jon!
 
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