Cover Question

[dwightfrye63]

One would think that this is a fairly straightforward task however I have a SD 78 Custom pup black that I am installing on an Epiphone G400 Bridge posn. I want it to match the Alnico Pro II with Chrome Cover I am installing in the neck posn so am trying to attach a chrome Gibson pup cover. Don't really think the SG style looks proper without covers. The solder seems reluctant to adhere very well though. :banghead: Any ideas? Also is it absolutely necessary to wax the inside of the cover? I have an Epi LP with Seth lovers in both posn's, they aren't wax potted at all and only microphonic at fairly high gain.

 

[PoorMan]

Re: Cover Question

One would think that this is a fairly straightforward task however I have a SD 78 Custom pup black that I am installing on an Epiphone G400 Bridge posn. I want it to match the Alnico Pro II with Chrome Cover I am installing in the neck posn so am trying to attach a chrome Gibson pup cover. Don't really think the SG style looks proper without covers. The solder seems reluctant to adhere very well though. :banghead: Any ideas? Also is it absolutely necessary to wax the inside of the cover? I have an Epi LP with Seth lovers in both posn's, they aren't wax potted at all and only microphonic at fairly high gain.

I've never had a problem with unpotted covers being noisy, but you could get a little parrafin and beeswax and melt it in the cover with a blow dryer (I mask the holes with blue painters tape) before installing it.

As far as the solder adhereing, you need a relatively hot iron (45 watts will suffice). I usually scuff the inside of the cover with sand paper (or dremel sanding roll)where the solder joint will be and be sure to use flux on the baseplate and cover.

I don't know your level of experience so...
what kind of solder are you using?
what kind of iron and wattage are you using?
are you using flux?

 

[blueman335]

Re: Cover Question

I also put on replacement covers, as I don't like the cheap look of open coils. I rarely solder them back on. Usually they stay snug with the tape & wax on the coils. To get the solder to stick I use a soldering gun, which is much hotter than an iron. Unfortuantely a gun is too got & blunt to be of any use to wire pots, switches and jacks. You'll need both to do all you what (like many of us too).

 

[dwightfrye63]

Re: Cover Question

60/40 Rosin core solder, 30 watt iron which I use for wiring pots etc, being thicker material I used my soldering gun instead. May just need a bit more roughing up or better adhesion I guess. Thanks.

 

[PoorMan]

Re: Cover Question

60/40 Rosin core solder, 30 watt iron which I use for wiring pots etc, being thicker material I used my soldering gun instead. May just need a bit more roughing up or better adhesion I guess. Thanks.

30 watts uis a little too cold for covers. 45-60 watt sldering iron will work and you'll probably get more use out of it than a gun if you're just working on guitar curcuits.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Cover Question

FYI, you can't put a Gibson cover on a SD humbucker.

 

[dwightfrye63]

Re: Cover Question

Why not? It fits fine.

 

[Sludgenutz]

Re: Cover Question

I would urge people to be careful with solder guns, as there is a big transformer inside the gun. This is not optimal for preserving the magnet strength inside the pickups.

 

[PoorMan]

Re: Cover Question

Why not? It fits fine.

Different Gibson pickups have different polepiece spacings. Some fit, others don't. Sounds like you have one that does.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Cover Question

Why not? It fits fine.

I didn't know there are Gibson pickups with different spacing. The ones I have here have different polepiece distance compared to SD.

 

[PoorMan]

Re: Cover Question

I didn't know there are Gibson pickups with different spacing. The ones I have here have different polepiece distance compared to SD.

Depends on the model Gibbo pickup. 498Ts had wider bridge spacing. 57 covers will fit.

 

[Sludgenutz]

Re: Cover Question

I didn't know there are Gibson pickups with different spacing. The ones I have here have different polepiece distance compared to SD.

Gibson "modern" humbuckers have two spacings. The R series 490R/496R are more like SD regular spacing, but the T series 490T/498T/500T are wider spaced for typical bridge location.