Installing Pickup Covers. Question.

Rick540

Rick540

New member
I'm planning on installing some pickup covers on one of my guitars (the pink Jackson in my avatar actually). I've never done it before and I have a question. Based on what I've read, using wax between the cover and pickup seems to be the recommended method, but I also read that you can just use electrical tape which is probably what I'll do.

One set of instructions I read said to put the tape between the slugs and pole pieces and another says to put the tape over the slugs. Which is correct? Or does it matter?

Thanks.
 
Re: Installing Pickup Covers. Question.

Rick540 said:
I'm planning on installing some pickup covers on ... my ... pink Jackson in my avatar.
Click to expand...

Why?

The Jackson is a purpose built, high gain, Rock guitar. In that musical context, metal HB covers invite the possibility of microphonic squeal. IMO, they also look plain wrong.
 
Re: Installing Pickup Covers. Question.

Rick540 said:
I'm planning on installing some pickup covers on one of my guitars (the pink Jackson in my avatar actually). I've never done it before and I have a question. Based on what I've read, using wax between the cover and pickup seems to be the recommended method, but I also read that you can just use electrical tape which is probably what I'll do.

One set of instructions I read said to put the tape between the slugs and pole pieces and another says to put the tape over the slugs. Which is correct? Or does it matter?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Trimmed to fit, tape between the slugs and pole pieces.
Clamp down the cover with a spring-loaded hand clamp and solder two edges.

That said, Funkfingers is right... putting on metal covers, which will kill some of the high end, kinda defeats the purpose of the guitar.

Ignore all of that if you're putting on plastic covers for aesthetic reasons.

MM
 
Re: Installing Pickup Covers. Question.

You can check out the videos section in http://www.mojotone.com/
They have detailed demonstration of how to put in a pickup cover.

Also keep in mind that you only need to do this if your covers are metal. You do not need to do this for plastic covers.
 
Re: Installing Pickup Covers. Question.

Thanks for the replies. Although I've never installed covers I've played guitars with covered and uncovered versions of the same pickup and could never hear a difference. Besides, if it kills the highs a little isn't that what the treble knob is for?

The main reason I'm installing covers is because when I replaced the stock pickups I decided to go with white ones which after installing them wasn't all that crazy about. I'm a DiMarzio guy (yeah I know this is an SD forum but the users here are the most knowledgeable when it comes to pickups IMO), and DiMarzio wants over 100 bucks for a chrome Super Distortion which isn't worth it.
 
Re: Installing Pickup Covers. Question.

I didn't believe the tape idea would work but when I tried it........it did! I used masking tape just on the slugs, clamped it tight and soldered. No squeal!
 
Re: Installing Pickup Covers. Question.

Zhangliqun said:
Silicone is my preferred method, but a bit more than a bead.
Click to expand...
I completely covered the slug side with masking tape which overlapped onto and partially covered the adjustable screw side and then put a nice thick line of silicone along the slug side before popping on the covers. Worked fine. I definitely prefer the look of my Jackson King V with chrome covers on and could care less about the hotly debated topic of whether or not it affects the tone. Sounds the same to me.
 
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