Covered (Nickel) Pickup vs Non-Covered?

[nast2112]

I apologize since this has probably been asked before...

Is there a known sound difference? Pros & Cons to leave it on vs. removing it? I have a JB in my Les Paul that has a nickel cover.

If I'm convinced to remove the nickel cover, am I going to have a pickup covered in a wax mess?? How to go about cleaning it up?

Thanks
Chris

 

[itbepopples]

Re: Covered (Nickel) Pickup vs Non-Covered?

hang the pickup upside down and use a blow dryer/hair dryer. let the wax drip into a bowl or some other container

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Covered (Nickel) Pickup vs Non-Covered?

tere IS a difference in the tone, if you do a search on the forum you can find several threads about it...as for the wax Duncans are not too bad, you can just wipe it pretty good witha towel or rag...Gibson pups are the worst I have seen about being a mess!

 

[nast2112]

Re: Covered (Nickel) Pickup vs Non-Covered?

Thanks everyone. If the highs will be more biting, I don't want that Maybe if the guitar was solid mahogany I would think about it (to get some more bite). I will leave well enough alone. I do appreciate the input (as always).

Chris

 

[Dave]

Re: Covered (Nickel) Pickup vs Non-Covered?

I've never A-B'd humbuckers, but there's definitely a difference between a covered and uncovered tele pickup.

The uncovered pickups are more open airy and a bit more focused. Lew described the covered pickups as more "microphonic" which until I compared them, I wasn't sure what that meant. But it seems to be a bit janglier and metallic.

But-I'm undecided which is "better."

 

[Mac-P]

Re: Covered (Nickel) Pickup vs Non-Covered?

In my experience there is NO difference between covered and uncovered pickups.

The difference comes from the fact that an uncovered pickup is actually closer to the strings than a covered pickup. They SEEM like they are the same distance, but obviously the actual cover takes up space. The closer you get the pickup to the strings the more output, signal (and audible highs) you get. So people think that the cover is actually affecting the tone.

Many people have a different opinion, but I strongly disagree. I have never heard the difference keeping in mind the compensation you must make for pickup height.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Covered (Nickel) Pickup vs Non-Covered?

In my experience there is NO difference between covered and uncovered pickups.

The difference comes from the fact that an uncovered pickup is actually closer to the strings than a covered pickup. They SEEM like they are the same distance, but obviously the actual cover takes up space. The closer you get the pickup to the strings the more output, signal (and audible highs) you get. So people think that the cover is actually affecting the tone.

I think you're probably right. I thought I could detect a slight change in the bridge pickup when I took the covers off my Seths, but I'm pretty sure I had it closer to the strings. The neck pickup sounded the same. I'd say the decision about covers vs. no covers is really a cosmetic one - i.e. which look do you prefer?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Covered (Nickel) Pickup vs Non-Covered?

Let's not forget that a cover is a pieace of metal, which affects to a certain dgree the inductance properties of the instrument. Though some people might not hear it, there has to be SOME difference in the sound.

 

[pookey]

Re: Covered (Nickel) Pickup vs Non-Covered?

Covers are a good thing. Helps to keep those bar gig beer spills out of the electronics. :smack:

 

[Mac-P]

Re: Covered (Nickel) Pickup vs Non-Covered?

Let's not forget that a cover is a pieace of metal, which affects to a certain dgree the inductance properties of the instrument. Though some people might not hear it, there has to be SOME difference in the sound.

Maybe, but the screw pole pieces are still uncovered and sticking out the same as uncovered.

The slug pole pieces are buried, but I still don't hear a difference. If there is any difference it is so minimal that most people don't notice it, even when listening for it.

I think the cover issue is really a cosmetic one.