Uncovering Puppies.

[Hawkeye]

An old teacher said, "The stupidest question is that which goes unasked". With that said, what is the best method to uncover a humbucker?

 

[VictorB]

Use a soldering iron to remove the solder from the back, thus freeing the cover.

 

[ashbass]

Use a fresh utility razor blade to cut through the solder. No risk of overheating and melting anything.

 

[Nugget]

I agree to some extent with Ashbass. However I use a Stanley Knife. The weight of the handle helps. Also, If you ever want to put the cover back on, just retouch the original solder and it will look completely untouched. Too many people have made a pigs ear of removing covers.

 

[FLICKOFLASH]

How bout putting covers on a pickup that never had a cover what do you recommend ?

 

[Nugget]

You'll need to lightly sand the inside of the cover at the place you're going to appl solder. Allow the heat of the iron to get the solder to flow before removing the iron. I tend to use a solder that contains flux. Otherwise you will have to apply a seperate flux first. Lead solder is best. Unleaded solder requires a higher temperature to flow and is pretty hopeless.

 

[FLICKOFLASH]

You'll need to lightly sand the inside of the cover at the place you're going to appl solder. Allow the heat of the iron to get the solder to flow before removing the iron. I tend to use a solder that contains flux. Otherwise you will have to apply a seperate flux first. Lead solder is best. Unleaded solder requires a higher temperature to flow and is pretty hopeless.

isn't there also pickup prep such as taping the lugs or melting wax in botton of cover or silacone ?

 

[Nugget]

Some people put a little wax in the cover to deaden any microphony.
I don't find that a problem. Essentially, push the pickup into the cover as tight as it will go and clamp it in a machinw vice with two splints of wood seperating the cover's sides from the vice jaws......protects against damage and metal to metal heat transfer. Then apply the solder. it's that easy. The whole pickup can then be wax potted if you like, remembering to wipe off the excess wax with a baby wipe or kitchen towel.

 

[Mystic]

It can be hard unsoldering a cover without get the pickup too hot. Make sure you use a very hot iron, so that the heat is applied to the metal for the shortest amount of time. A nice trick is to use a piece of aluminum to "cut" through the liquid solder. his keeps it from flowing back together. Aluminum will not stick to solder. As for putting covers on, Some people put a piece of electrical tape (plastic) over the slug coil to dampen vibrations. I put a little wax in the cover and melt it with a heat gun. here's some pictures...
Assembly

 

[Mike60]

Use a fresh utility razor blade to cut through the solder. No risk of overheating and melting anything.

...the best way...

 

[GuitarGal]

Is this joke or ???

 

[Sean French]

Is this joke or ???

Using a blade to slice through the solder?No.
This is how I do it as well.

 

[FLICKOFLASH]

Using a blade to slice through the solder?No.
This is how I do it as well.

a blade or a razor saw

 

[Sean French]

a blade or a razor saw

I could have been clearer.
I use a heavy duty Stanley with a retractable razor blade.

 

[PoorMan]

Boxcutter is my favorite method. Fast, clean, easy.

 

[zeppelin13]

is there any difference in tone with uncovered. i like the look but dont want screw with the tone if it takes away from the sound

 

[PoorMan]

is there any difference in tone with uncovered. i like the look but dont want screw with the tone if it takes away from the sound

Yes, it makes a difference. But the degree of difference is going to depend in part on the material the cover is made of. Usually (with quality parts) the pickup will be slightly brighter and hotter with the cover removed. If the cover is made of brass, this effect will be more pronounced.

 

[zeppelin13]

cool thanks a lot

 

[terence_tez]

guys i just stripped my standard and gave it a full cleaning...
howwever,when i finally came to the cutting part(i tried the boxcutter),i realized that the solder was just too thick fer me to cut through with a boxcutter...
now what???

 

[terence_tez]

erm...guys,i need some help here......