Gibson covers would fit WLH set ?

[Lorenzar]

Hey !

I'm getting really interested by the WLH set for my standard SG but they only come either black or nickel covered here in France (very expensive with nickel cover and propably won't match my SG chrome hardware).

I have 2 gibson chrome covers I never used, one for neck dimension, one for bridge dimension.

My luthier would do the operation properly, but I need to know first if those gibson covers would fit.

By the way I ordered one 59 neck and one custom for my other SG.

 

[Liko]

Re: Gibson covers would fit WLH set ?

The only variable is the bridge screw/polepiece spacing. Normal spacing between the centers of the outermost polepieces of a humbucker are 1.90" (48mm). "F-Spaced" or "trembucker" pickups measure a slightly wider 2.01" (51mm), and are designed for use with wider string spacing, commonly seen on Fender guitars and on other models with vibrato/tremolo/whammy arms.

So, before you order, take a ruler and measure between the center of one outermost screw on your bridge humbucker and the center of the screw on the opposite end. If it's 48mm or very close, then you can use your existing Gibson covers. If you happen to measure 51mm, you'll either need a normal-spaced bridge cover, or a "trembucker"-spaced bridge pickup (which would be a custom order if you want the WLH; SD doesn't offer it in that spacing).

 

[uOpt]

Re: Gibson covers would fit WLH set ?

Gibson changed spacing so the question isn't answerable.

 

[Liko]

Re: Gibson covers would fit WLH set ?

Gibson changed spacing so the question isn't answerable.

****ers...

 

[lemonman]

Re: Gibson covers would fit WLH set ?

Never heard of Gibson changing their spacing beyond the "T" bridge spacing; something new? The Gibson neck covers, at least all the ones I've seen, are the same spacing as the Duncan standard-spaced buckers- anything with a SH- part number. The Gibson bridge cover, if it's off the "T" model (490T, 498T, 500T), has wider spacing and will not fit. If it was off a 57 Classic or Burstbucker it would be the same spacing as the neck.

 

[Lorenzar]

Re: Gibson covers would fit WLH set ?

I have 2 covers that were never used (I ordered them last year when I bought My LP Classic cause I was thinking of covering the pickups...eventually I thought they were looking cooler zebra uncovered).

I don't have any SD under hand, but I took measures of my covers, between the center of the outermost screw and I have :

-50mm for the neck cover
-52mm for the bridge cover

I have a SH2/SH4 combo on my Jackson, and it looks like the measure is for both around 50mm. But I'm not the one who installed those pickups, so I don't know if they were regular or trembucker. With those, only the neck covers would work I guess.

I guess, I'd have to have first a WLH owner to measure between the center of the outermost screw.


Maybe I'm thinking too much, and SD nickel covers match well Gibson chrome hardware ?

 

[lemonman]

Re: Gibson covers would fit WLH set ?

Technically, the PAF spacing both Gibson and Duncan (and many boutique winders) use is 49.2 mm; both your SH2 & SH4 are this spacing, as is the WLH. Pop one of your pickups out & see of the cover slips over the poles OK.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Gibson covers would fit WLH set ?

NO!!!!!!

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Gibson covers would fit WLH set ?

Last I tried, the pole spacings of Gibson and Duncan pickups are slightly different. Duncan uses 52.6 mm for wide spacing, while Gibson uses 2-1/16 in. (52.4 mm). Duncan use 49.0 mm for standard spacing, and Gibson use 1-15/16 in. (49.2 mm). IIRC, the standard Duncan spacing is based on old Gibson pickups from the '50's and '60's; at some point, Gibson deviated from these old spacings and started making their two modern spacings instead.

This doesn't sound like a big difference, splitting millimeters, and you can actually work the Gibson covers around the Duncan screws. However, IME trying exactly what you're thinking about, it is not a "proper fit."

I find the claim that they only come two ways in France to be questionable. If there is a bona-fide Duncan dealer there, I'd think they'd be able to get you anything in the catalog. While their distributor might not normally stock it, I don't see any reason why they couldn't get it for you eventually.

That said, are plain chrome covers even an option on Duncan pickups (anywhere), or is it nickel only?

 

[Lorenzar]

Re: Gibson covers would fit WLH set ?

It looks like Duncan pickups come only with nickel covers (maybe you can whatever you want from the custom shop).

If I would use my covers, only the neck cover would work I guess. But yeah, I'd rather have the pup already factory covered with chrome.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Gibson covers would fit WLH set ?

Mebbe get another Gibby cover for it?

Dunno,generally don't use covers personally,but a used Chrome one could probably be had...
Good Luck,tho,looking forward to pics/review!

 

[Lorenzar]

Re: Gibson covers would fit WLH set ?

Yeah I think with 2 Gibsons neck cover I'm all good