covering over pole pieces - is it okay?

[Ro_S]

Is it okay to cover over pole pieces? I mean, will it affect the functioning of the pick-up in picking up the string vibrations?

For example:

i) if I put a solid plastic cover (something that looks like an EMG active pickup cover) over a uncovered pickup will that be okay?

ii) if I put a strip of electrical tape over the entirety of the top of a traditional Strat pickup beneath its cover will that be okay? I've seen this suggested online (partly to avoid 'popping' and partly for aesthetic reasons).
[oh, and is electrical tape the same thing as PVC insulation tape?]

I'm asking primarly in relation to typical, alnico pickups with pole piece slugs/screws. And what if they are 'rail' type pick-ups. Any difference?

advise please

thanks!

 

[SJ318]

Re: covering over pole pieces - is it okay?

Check this out.
I always, if I get a new pick up, bang a 4 dollar tuning fork, usually A440, and hold it directly 90 degrees over the screw poles, with the volume loud enough to here but not feedback, make sure the sound is coming from the amp.
Then I move the tuning fork - Still held exactly 90 degrees with the pickup - over to the slugs (which I can't see, as mine are covered), and right there, I hear a dip in volume between the screw poles and the slugs, but when I get directly over the slug coil,
I hear the tuning fork again, about as loud as the screw poles. But that is only because they are much further away to the tuning fork the the screws, probably by 4 mm or so. Hang on, I'll double check it right now.... Wow, I ran the speaker (lost T-Fork) from my iPhone over the screws and they picked up the sound of guitar (early E.C.) loudly and as I moved it there was a slight dip and POW! The slugs sounded as loud if not louder. Geez, as I used to say. And apparently still do!
As the Lt. says: In some way, I HTH,
SJB

 

[LtKojak]

Re: covering over pole pieces - is it okay?

Is it okay to cover over pole pieces? if I put a solid plastic cover (something that looks like an EMG active pickup cover) over a uncovered pickup will that be okay?

Yes.

if I put a strip of electrical tape over the entirety of the top of a traditional Strat pickup beneath its cover will that be okay?[oh, and is electrical tape the same thing as PVC insulation tape?]

Yes.

what if they are 'rail' type pick-ups. Any difference?

No.

advise please

Don't use that tape. It leaves an unpleasant, goopy residue. Use low tag carpenter's tape instead.

HTH,

 

[SJ318]

Re: covering over pole pieces - is it okay?

+3^
SJ

 

[Mincer]

Re: covering over pole pieces - is it okay?

All of this should be ok, but stay away from goopy electrical tape. I (and everyone else) hates that stuff.