ThreeChordWonder
New member
I'm wondering what effect metal covers have on pickup tones.
Thinking about LPs and SGs in particular, but also more generally.
Thinking about LPs and SGs in particular, but also more generally.
Educate me - metal covers on pickups
- Thread starter ThreeChordWonder
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ThreeChordWonder
New member
I wouldn't think magnetic or not made any difference. If they're metal they conduct. If they're grounded they will conduct to ground. And. ANY conductor moved inside a magnetic field (or the magnetic field moved relative to the conductor) is going to induce a current* and, I suspect, disrupt the magnetic field.
* The copper wire in your car's alternator isn't magnetic either.
ThreeChordWonder
New member
^ That's what I read somewhere. I wonder if there's any scientific literature to back it up / compare "with" and without".
^ Well, the theory based conclusion is enshrined in basic electrical knowledge which you could extrapolate from basic principals......if you knew enough. You've already responded to the 'cliff notes' version in the post above yours.
But practically, there are audible tests aplenty.
BKP did a test of the same pickup set with and without covers. Same amp, player and pickup settings, with a quality recording. Its on youtube somewhere I'm sure. It was a pretty high grade upload so its obvious to hear the differences.
But practically, there are audible tests aplenty.
BKP did a test of the same pickup set with and without covers. Same amp, player and pickup settings, with a quality recording. Its on youtube somewhere I'm sure. It was a pretty high grade upload so its obvious to hear the differences.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
I have an uncovered bright Pearly / A2P hybrid and I tried it with a full cover and an open top cover and the differences were perceptible. What was notable to me was the open top was the murkiest/darker sound. The full cover was just attenuated a touch in the highs. Took away the 'chewiness' and 'life' of the pickup for me.
freefrog
Well-known member
https://alexkenis.wordpress.com/2016...one-and-noise/
http://kenwillmott.com/blog/archives/246
Non limitative list. Other people (including the humble freefrog), have also shared experimental data several times here or elsewhere, with the same kind of results than the ones evoked in the links above. But I've not enough time right now to provide more links.
So and to sum it up in a simple way :
-any effect of a cover on tone is due to Foucault currents (=what the authors in the links above call eddy currents);
-Foucault currents depend on the composition AND thickness of covers. Six covers coming from various suppliers can exhibit strictly the same look and have different effects on tone, going from a very subtle influence to a clearly noticeable one;
-IOW, covers are not created equal. Gibson chrome covers even add a wee bit of inductance, for example, albeit eddy currents generally tend to diminish a tad the inductance measured with other covers... But pickups are not created equal either, like our gear, rigs, ears and ways to play or to listen... hence the discussions periodically noticed online about covers (the variability of subjective experiences with covers being due to a bunch of variable parameters and not to the fact that eddy currents affect the tone or not: this idea translates an objective physical reality that anyone can measyre with lab gear... like Bill Lawrence did back in the days. A well known quote from him: http://www.billlawrence.com/Pages/Pi...y_currents.htm).
FWIW. It's 6:45AM here and a long working day is waiting me so, see you later.
eclecticsynergy
Well-known member
Focault current behavior can be surprising. I remember reading a study years ago which found that a dual slot "toaster" cover tested very differently from an H-slot FilterTron style cover. H-slot was brighter & clearer, dual slot was much darker.
When you have pickup covers, the pole pieces are going to be out more than without the covers.
That will change the sound right there, let alone the metal composition of the cover itself.
On an old Hagstrom Swede, when the pickup cover came loose, the pickup had a lot more bite.
That will change the sound right there, let alone the metal composition of the cover itself.
On an old Hagstrom Swede, when the pickup cover came loose, the pickup had a lot more bite.
I think you meant just the opposite. With covers on, the pole pieces need to be screwed "in" as far as possible.
Mr. 80's
New member
He got it right. The adjustable poles stick out further with covers on compared to covers off if we're talking PAF style covers. They are always adjusted out to be level or above the cover. Otherwise they would be countersunk into the holes below the cover which I never see. When yo pull a cover the adjustable poles are always going to be sticking way out and will need screwed back in to a proper height. Now if you're talking covers with no holes that's another story.
freefrog
Well-known member
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Generally if you sound bad with em you'll sound bad without em
