Can this be right? Covered pickups pondering

B

Breaking the law

New member
Hiya all!

While waiting for my Epi G-400, I've been browsing around for JB prices..
Now, since it's an SG, I WANT it to have COVERED pickups. Seem that the covered JB costs about $25-30 more than the uncovered one. That sucks.
I expected something like $10..

I have a spare cover lying around on my shelf of misc stuff, so I could buy the uncovered 'bucker and slack the cover on it. I only have one doubt..

Is the covered JB voiced differently to make it sound like an uncovered one?
I'd hate to wait a few extra months to get the covered one, I don't think they have any in storage..

Any input welcome, even if it's not about JBs..
 
Re: Can this be right? Covered pickups pondering

Yes you can. Just slap the cover on, and on the bottom of the pickup, solder the very bottom edge of the cover to the base of the pickup. You only need a dab. I usually put a dab on both sides. This not only prevents the cover from potentially sliding in and out, but also grounds the cover to the pickup.

The only difference between buying a covered jb from what you're doing is that most pickups that are bought with covers from SD are also wax potted. They dip the whole pickup with the cover in a tub of wax and use some type of vacuum processing to make sure wax is sucked into the coils. The provides enhanced protection from feedback. Tonally there is a very slight difference. Some hear it, some don't.

An uncovered JB will probably have enhanced harmonics and little bit more kick to it. The covered and wax potted JB will have some of the harmonics evened out and have a slight mellower bite to it. It's a very little difference. Like I said, some people hear it, some don't.

Since your pickup won't be wax potted, it will sound more similar to an uncovered/unpotted JB. The cover will be more of an aesthetic thing and will perhaps act as a protective cover and shield.



Tom
 
Re: Can this be right? Covered pickups pondering

I've covered 2 or 3 pickups in the past.. I know how to do it, I was only worried about the tonal differences.. Since I like to use a healthy dose of distrortion, I'd unlikely hear any difference... Thank you!
 
Re: Can this be right? Covered pickups pondering

I just checked Black Rose and the difference was $15.
 
Re: Can this be right? Covered pickups pondering

JB uncovered list price: $99. covered list price: $124.

uncovered at 30% off: $69.30. covered at 30% off: $86.80

No SD dealer is supposed to sell for less than those prices.

Lew
 
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Re: Can this be right? Covered pickups pondering

Lewguitar said:
JB uncovered list price: $99. covered list price: $124.

uncovered at 30% off: $69.30. covered at 30% off: $86.80

No SD dealer is supposed to sell for less than those prices.

Lew
Click to expand...

Well, makes sense.. The current price difference is $29.. Which is not that different from $25..
The cost of the covered JB is $143.. and the uncoverd is about $114.
I'm not getting 30% off them either.. Although I usually get that from guitars..
 
Re: Can this be right? Covered pickups pondering

Not all nickel covers will work on Duncans. Gibson covers don't. Make sure your cover lines up with the polepieces by taking it to the store with you.
 
Re: Can this be right? Covered pickups pondering

Lewguitar said:
JB uncovered list price: $99. covered list price: $124.

uncovered at 30% off: $69.30. covered at 30% off: $86.80

No SD dealer is supposed to sell for less than those prices.

Lew
Click to expand...

AWWWWWWW!!!! Guitar Center was gonna sell me a black JB for 55....... :evil:
 
Re: Can this be right? Covered pickups pondering

Oh, good point.. But I think my spare cover is not Gibson spaced... although, shouldn't it be, since it's an (Epiphone) Sg I'm putting it in?
 
Re: Can this be right? Covered pickups pondering

Lewguitar said:
JB uncovered list price: $99. covered list price: $124.

uncovered at 30% off: $69.30. covered at 30% off: $86.80

No SD dealer is supposed to sell for less than those prices.

Lew
Click to expand...
I've been wondering about that. Music Toyz sells most SD humbuckers (I think all that are normally priced at $70) for $65.50. Are they not an authorized SD dealer or am I missing something?
 
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