How To Choose The Perfect Inductor for Your Guitar Pedal
Publish Time: 2025-08-13 Origin: Site
How to Choose the Perfect Inductor for Your Guitar Pedal
At Golden Eagle Electronics, we specialize in high-quality inductors, magnet inductors, and inductor coils designed for guitar effects pedals. Whether you're building a vintage fuzz, wah-wah, or modern distortion pedal, selecting the right inductor is critical for tone shaping and noise reduction.
Key Factors When Choosing an Inductor for Guitar Pedals
1. Inductor Type: Magnet Inductor vs. Air Core
Magnet Inductor (Ferrite/Powdered Iron Core)
Higher inductance in a compact size (ideal for wah pedals)
Less susceptible to external interference
Used in classic designs like the Cry Baby wah inductor
Air Core Inductor
No magnetic saturation, preserving signal clarity
Lower EMI, perfect for high-gain distortion pedals
Lighter weight, but requires more turns for the same inductance
2. Inductance Value (Henry Rating)
Wah & Filter Pedals: 500mH–1H (for resonant peak control)
Tone Shaping (EQ Pedals): 10mH–100mH (for mid/high-frequency adjustments)
Noise Suppression (Power Supply): 1mH–10mH (to filter hum and ripple)
3. Current Handling & Wire Gauge
Low-Current (Signal Path): Thin wire (AWG 30–36) for compact pedals
High-Current (Power Section): Thicker wire (AWG 22–28) to prevent overheating
4. Shielding & Noise Reduction
Shielded Inductor Coils reduce hum in single-coil pickup circuits
Litz Wire minimizes skin effect for cleaner high frequencies
Why Choose Golden Eagle’s Inductors?
Vintage & Modern Designs – From Dunlop-style magnet inductors to custom air core inductor coils
Low Noise & High Reliability – Precision-wound for minimal signal loss
Quick Customization – Need a specific inductance or size? We can tailor it for your pedal.
Popular Guitar Pedal Inductors:
GE-W100 (500mH, magnet inductor for wah pedals)
GE-A50 (Air core, 50mH for EQ/filter circuits)
GE-SH1 (Shielded inductor for noise-sensitive builds)
Case Study: Fixing a Noisy Wah Pedal
A boutique pedal maker struggled with 60Hz hum in their wah circuit. We recommended:
✔ GE-W100 Shielded Magnet Inductor
✔ Litz wire winding for reduced RF interference
✔ Ferrite core for stable inductance
Result: 90% noise reduction while maintaining the classic wah sweep.