Installing a cover on TB-4

[esandes]

I attack my custom G&L Fallout like Phillip Sayce attacks his strat and the low E often gets stuck on the bobbin tape.

So intead of risking fucking up the pickup I think it's time to add a nickel cover. Do I need to remove the pickup to add it? Does it need glue?

 

[Securb]

It can be any cover it doesn't have to be a SD as long as it is the right size measuring from E post to E post. Yes the pickup will need to be removed but not disconnected. The new pickup cover will need to be soldered on. It is not difficult, but if you are not comfortable with it it will need to go to the shop. The plastic EMG type covers can also be use and installed with a bead of silicone.

 

[Mincer]

Being a Trembucker, many normal non-SD covers may not fit.

 

[ehdwuld]

the plastic bobbins are wider on the TB than on standard humbuckers as well as the spacing
i couldnt get an after market cover to fit even if the poles aligned

I would get one specifically for the TB from SD

note with a cover it may be tight in the mounting ring

I couldn't get the TB4 with a cover to fit in a Triple shot ring from SD
SD should really address that
at least make the TS rings where they will fit production SD pickups

 

[Securb]

Being a Trembucker, many normal non-SD covers may not fit.

I got mine on Mojotone and they fit perfectly.

 

[esandes]

I ordered a SD nickel trembucker cover. I was looking forward to cover material suggestions from you dorks.

 

[freefrog]

Do I need to remove the pickup to add it? Does it need glue?

What Securb said and the process is recalled here:

Installing Humbucker Covers

In this article, we'll teach you the quick and easy way to install humbucker covers. No wax, no tongs, and no stove. Your mom can rest easy.

www.seymourduncan.com

The piece of adhesive tape recommended by Duncan can be replaced with a thin layer of wax, or silicone or any dampening material able to avoid microphonic squealing (I use white plumber tape sometimes for that. It's ugly but efficient).

Regarding material suggestions, it's not that easy to separate good from bad covers... Theoretical specs don't suffice here, since sellers rarely precise the exact thickness of their covers and/or if there's a layer of non magnetically transparent material under the plating. The safest way to avoid any effect on the magnetic field is to use a plastic cover or a bare / unplatted nickel cover (knowing that such a raw material tarnishes very fast). With platted covers, luck is a factor: some covers happen to be transparent enough to cause no perceived tonal difference. Other clearly increase the perceived compression and darken a bit the high range - but it shouldn't be the case with a SD cover. ;-)

 

[Artie]

One little "trick" I like to do: extend the adjustable poles out farther than you'd normally set them. That way, they act as little guide pins to align the cover properly. After the solder has cooled, adjust them back down to preference.

 

[jeremy]

i use duncan covers. i know they are high quality and im very familiar with them so know what to expect tonally when using them. i dont use covers all that often, but often buy covered pups, so i have a nice stash of them when i need one.

 

[Sam SG]

I was gonna suggest the dimebag darrel trick for strings catching under the bobbin.
A piece of gaffers tape