Changing pickup covers.

[WhippingPost]

How hard would it be to change (not just remove) pickup covers on a set of pickups? Say they're currently nickel, and I'd like to use gold covers. I guess I'm specifically looking for answers to...

1. When changing covers, do you have to re-pot the pickup?
2. Can I change the screw in pole-pieces as well?
3. Any specific precautions I'll need to take?

I've purchased a set of pickups that I was planning on putting in my number 2, but I know I'll try them in my #1. If they sound good there, then I'd like to swap the covers on them.

Thanks in advance.

[axslinger]

1) Probably...I think I've heard 1/2 parafin and 1/2 bees wax is what you want to use
2) Yes...make sure the threads match
3) Be really careful with the wires

The last time I had the cover off a pickup, I used a solder sucker to remove the solder from the back of the pickup where the cover is soldered on, but sometimes it's easier cut through the solder with a dremel or something similar. Just use common sense and cover the guitar with a cloth if you're going to work on the pickup with it still wired it.

[hillbilly]

Originally Posted by WhippingPost

How hard would it be to change (not just remove) pickup covers on a set of pickups? Say they're currently nickel, and I'd like to use gold covers. I guess I'm specifically looking for answers to...

1. When changing covers, do you have to re-pot the pickup?
2. Can I change the screw in pole-pieces as well?
3. Any specific precautions I'll need to take?

I've purchased a set of pickups that I was planning on putting in my number 2, but I know I'll try them in my #1. If they sound good there, then I'd like to swap the covers on them.

Thanks in advance.

1. No, you don't have to "re-pot" the pickup...the wax is all throughout the pickup, and has nothing to do with the cover. Take the old one off, slap the new one on, and get on with it...use a small clamp to hold the cover to the pickup firmly, and solder the new cover on where the 2 old solder joints were.
2. Change the screws when the cover is off---easier, and you won't scratch the cover if you s-l-i-p...
3. Just be careful

I just use a chisel, I don't use a dremel or a solder-sucker. Take a small hammer, hit the chisel, break the solder connection, and pry off the cover.

[WhippingPost]

Originally Posted by hillbilly

1. No, you don't have to "re-pot" the pickup...the wax is all throughout the pickup, and has nothing to do with the cover. Take the old one off, slap the new one on, and get on with it...use a small clamp to hold the cover to the pickup firmly, and solder the new cover on where the 2 old solder joints were.
2. Change the screws when the cover is off---easier, and you won't scratch the cover if you s-l-i-p...
3. Just be careful

I just use a chisel, I don't use a dremel or a solder-sucker. Take a small hammer, hit the chisel, break the solder connection, and pry off the cover.

Thank you very much. Thanks for your answers, too, axslinger.

That's another reason why this forum is so great: There's always someone with an answer onboard.

[Weldaar]

I just heat the solder until it becomes liquid, then slip a single edge razor blade between the cover and the baseplate of the pickup. When installing the new cover, apply a thin bead of Silicone on the slug side of the pickup, press the cover onto the pickup, clamp firmly, then solder. The Silicone will help with any squeals you might have.

[kevinT]

hey,

isn't it illegal to abuse your pickups?

I would follow Jeff's method. Much easier and less traumatic on the pickup. Also, you can affect the charge or damage the magnet if there is a powerful enough blow to the pickup. It's just like dropping the magnet on the concrete floor.

[Weldaar]

[Bluesjam]

Weldaar, sounds like a good tip. Thanks.

[Weldaar]

Your always welcome. Anything I can do to help out, just ask.

[SonicBoom]

Gold covers look nice, but on my guitar they kill the highs. I've read gold plated brass (or anything brass) will do that. I have some WCRs that sound really great w/o covers. I put the covers on and lost it all.

[Weldaar]

Don't they make Gold plated Nickel covers?

[WhippingPost]

Originally Posted by SonicBoom

Gold covers look nice, but on my guitar they kill the highs. I've read gold plated brass (or anything brass) will do that. I have some WCRs that sound really great w/o covers. I put the covers on and lost it all.

That's not the case on mine. The Gibson is bright! However, all pickups are a little brighter without the covers on.

[WhippingPost]

Originally Posted by Weldaar

Don't they make Gold plated Nickel covers?

I believe the original pickups in my Gibby are gold plated nickel, unless they nickel plated the brass before adding the gold plate. I'll take a picture later and post it up here for reference.

[SonicBoom]

Originally Posted by Weldaar

Don't they make Gold plated Nickel covers?

Some of the winders here offer gold plated nickel. I bought some Gibson replacements awhile back to replace the originals that were nasty looking. They turned out to be gold plated brass. Sounded like playing through a wad of cotton.

[SonicBoom]

Originally Posted by WhippingPost

That's not the case on mine. The Gibson is bright! However, all pickups are a little brighter without the covers on.

Same with my LP. It was really bright; I just couldn't get a nice warm, woody sound. The mistake I made was testing the replacement pups without covers. Once I got it sounding good w/o covers and then put the covers on, the tone was way too dark. Lesson learned.