Adding a cover to an uncovered HB

[Mincer]

So I know SD sells chrome covers. I have an uncovered APH-1. Is putting a cover on as simple as placing it over and soldering it on? How will it change the sound?

[GuitarDoc]

Yes.

It will very slightly soften the attack. Chrome less so than nickel.

[STRATDELUXER97]

I always place a piece of masking tape over the slug coils before putting the cover on...

[Funkfingers]

Just soldering on a metal cover will almost certainly help to induce microphonic squeal under high gain.

[Mincer]

Ok... What's the masking tape for? And what will help stop feedback?

[AlexR]

I think that the cover has to be firmly pressed against the top of the pickup to stop it vibrating too. I've also heard of people putting a few drops of silicone sealant before putting the cover on

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/pick...ps-covers.html

[STRATDELUXER97]

Ok... What's the masking tape for? And what will help stop feedback?

Takes care of microphonic issues.....

[Chad]

I have covered Gibson pickups before with no problem. I just recently covered a Duncan TB pickup with a genuine Duncan TB cover and it was a very tight fit. After covered, the pickup hasn't worked correctly. I believe the cover was tight enough that it ruined a coil. But I don't know for sure. Might be fixable, but I don't know. More info in this thread:

http://www.seymourduncan.com/forum/s...d.php?t=243872

[ehdwuld]

On some pickups it may be necessary to remove the pole pieces
And some folks like a bit of wax to prevent squeal

Some folks like a LOT of wax

[darthphineas]

yes, the tape will help reduce the metal slugs vibrating against the metal cover, which can lead to microphonic feedback. OR you can wax/pot the cover first (what I do). either is fine.


I've bought official SD covers to use on SD pickups and not had any problems. standard spaced and f-spaced. neck and bridge. the SD covers are pretty transparent, but yes, there will always be at least a very slight difference. some people may hear it. some may not. unless you're really all-out in sync with every little nuance that your guitar has, you probably won't.

[STRATDELUXER97]

I started doing magnet swaps in 2004 and had to learn a few things the hard way! ;o)

[Mincer]

My guess is that Trembucker covers aren't the same as standard ones...

[LtKojak]

My guess is that Trembucker covers aren't the same as standard ones...

The measures in Trembucker p'ups are proprietary, so no cover other than Duncans will correctly fit.

HTH,

[LtKojak]

I just recently covered a Duncan TB pickup with a genuine Duncan TB cover and it was a very tight fit. After covered, the pickup hasn't worked correctly. I believe the cover was tight enough that it ruined a coil.

I've installed my fair share of Trembuckers covers and never, ever had a malfunction of any kind. But if I had, I'd certainly NOT blame the cover...

[LtKojak]

So I know SD sells chrome covers. I have an uncovered APH-1. Is putting a cover on as simple as placing it over and soldering it on? How will it change the sound?

This is a good video for take'em off and put'em back the right way.



HTH,

[GuitarDoc]

I almost always dip 'em in wax after putting a cover on to prevent the microphonics.

[uOpt]

If you want to do it like SD does you put some wax on top of the slug bobbin and later melt it.

The sound change from the cover has been explained, but there is a second factor:

with the cover on, people usually take the screws up. The pickup is lower but the screw heads are out at the same distance from the strings. This is a sound change in itself.

[darthphineas]

I almost always dip 'em in wax after putting a cover on to prevent the microphonics.

do you just do it for a few seconds or for several minutes?

I've tried dipping the cover and then putting the cover on, as well as putting the cover on and dipping the whole thing. can't say I've heard much of a difference either way, but both options are just about as interesting to try.

The sound change from the cover has been explained, but there is a second factor:

with the cover on, people usually take the screws up. The pickup is lower but the screw heads are out at the same distance from the strings. This is a sound change in itself.

agreed. when people raise the screws for a cover, it does change the magnetic field. I wonder how many people factor that in as much as if they are just raising the poles for the sake of appearance.

[STRATDELUXER97]

Some of the bad experiences people have had,is due to using a non-SD cover...On some of my guitars I like/have the covers,but on my SG with Creme covers,I don't.