Installing humbucker covers (cover "bows/bends" when installed)

[frenchji]

Hello!

I've recently purchased a SD Pearly Gates Trembucker for the bridge of my strat. It is open coil and I decided to put a nickel cover on it so I ordered a nickel trembucker cover from SD. When I install the cover on the pickup the fit seems way too tight. The sides "bow" out along the same side as the pole pieces. It looks like the combination of the wire and tape is a bit thicker than the bobbin itself. What is my issue here, do I need to remove some of the tape or could I throw it in a vise with the cover on and squeeze it so it's a better fit? I've double checked to make sure I ordered everything correctly, which I did, according to the packaging anyway.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Installing humbucker covers (cover "bows/bends" when installed)

I wouldn't squeeze a pickup in a vice!
A photo or two would really help us understand what you are dealing with.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Installing humbucker covers (cover "bows/bends" when installed)

That's not an unusual problem. Sometimes it is necessary to remove some of the tape. Sometimes all you have to do is take the tape off and rewind it back on making sure it doesn't go onto the side of the baseplate or bobbin top.

I've done some where I had to remove all but one wind of tape.

No, no, no...DON'T put it in a vice and squeeze it (unless you get really mad at it and just want to destroy it so you can buy a new one).

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Installing humbucker covers (cover "bows/bends" when installed)

The open coil ones probably have some extra coil tape, which can just be peeled off as needed.

When installing covers, I put my humbuckers in two hand clamps, with cork cauls. One clamp squeezes the top of the cover and the baseplate. The other clamp squeezes the sides together. Then I tack solder the cover to the baseplate.

Also, make sure that no tape is on the "lips" of the baseplate.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Installing humbucker covers (cover "bows/bends" when installed)

Exactly, that's the way to do it.

 

[frenchji]

Re: Installing humbucker covers (cover "bows/bends" when installed)

The open coil ones probably have some extra coil tape, which can just be peeled off as needed.

When installing covers, I put my humbuckers in two hand clamps, with cork cauls. One clamp squeezes the top of the cover and the baseplate. The other clamp squeezes the sides together. Then I tack solder the cover to the baseplate.

Also, make sure that no tape is on the "lips" of the baseplate.

There was actually tape on the "lips" of the baseplate. I already removed that part. I started to unwind the tape and found a copper strip part way through. Not sure what that's about but it doesn't look like I have much room to remove any tape.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Installing humbucker covers (cover "bows/bends" when installed)

all trembuckers have that copper strip around the coil. ive been told to not try and remove it.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Installing humbucker covers (cover "bows/bends" when installed)

Yeah, I've never removed that copper strip. I'd be afraid to.

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Installing humbucker covers (cover "bows/bends" when installed)

Only the trembuckers have it? I'm no winder, but I would think copper around the outside could alter the tone? Maybe this is why some people swear the trembucker version of the same pickups sound different?

 

[AlexR]

Re: Installing humbucker covers (cover "bows/bends" when installed)

Its an RF shielding thing.

I guess you could extend that to 'does a guitar with shielded cavities sound different to one that doesn't'

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Installing humbucker covers (cover "bows/bends" when installed)

I don't know the answer to either question. But copper right around the coils might do some sort of eddy current thing? Just curious.