I just had my 2000 Epi Explorer fitted with 59/JB combo, new 500K neck pot, 250K bridge pot (thanks Blueman for this great tip), Vitamin Q caps. Also had the frets recrowned and set up beautifully. I'm just getting to some really nice tones here with my Peavey Delta Blues 115. Amazing how this all has flipped this guitar on its ear. So, for now at least one more question for the forum: Pickup covers - On or Off? Right now they're off. How much tone/output difference does this make? Any input is appreciated.
Pickup Covers: On or Off?
- Thread starter erock517
- Start date
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Pickup Covers: On or Off?
Putting covers on is going to be a hassle and you really should wax pot them if you do.
I'd leave them off. If they were already on I'd say "leave 'em on".
Jazzers and real Blues guys who want to tell a story when they solo and not just play a million distortion laden notes, tend to like the looks and the slightly warmer tone of covered humbuckers.
Distortion driven rockers tend to prefer the covers off and the tone does have a little more treble and presence without covers.
If you play with tons of overdrive and distortion most of the time, the subtle difference in tone between covered and uncovered will be mostly lost anyway and masked by the distortion.
I like 'em both ways.
The covers are on the humbuckers in my ES-335. They're off of the humbuckers in all of my other humbuckers guitars.
Putting covers on is going to be a hassle and you really should wax pot them if you do.
I'd leave them off. If they were already on I'd say "leave 'em on".
Jazzers and real Blues guys who want to tell a story when they solo and not just play a million distortion laden notes, tend to like the looks and the slightly warmer tone of covered humbuckers.
Distortion driven rockers tend to prefer the covers off and the tone does have a little more treble and presence without covers.
If you play with tons of overdrive and distortion most of the time, the subtle difference in tone between covered and uncovered will be mostly lost anyway and masked by the distortion.
I like 'em both ways.
The covers are on the humbuckers in my ES-335. They're off of the humbuckers in all of my other humbuckers guitars.
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Re: Pickup Covers: On or Off?
I don't use a lot of distortion, just enough overdrive from the Maxon OD820 and a bit from the amp to get it just a little nasty. We play mostly classic rock covers (Mellencamp, Petty, Badfinger, Foo, Cream, Joe Walsh, Skynryd etc. . . )
and I wanted this guitar to handle some of the harder rock stuff - Cream, Foo, Walsh. I like what I'm hearing so far. Think I'll leave em' off. Thanks for the input.
I don't use a lot of distortion, just enough overdrive from the Maxon OD820 and a bit from the amp to get it just a little nasty. We play mostly classic rock covers (Mellencamp, Petty, Badfinger, Foo, Cream, Joe Walsh, Skynryd etc. . . )
and I wanted this guitar to handle some of the harder rock stuff - Cream, Foo, Walsh. I like what I'm hearing so far. Think I'll leave em' off. Thanks for the input.
Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: Pickup Covers: On or Off?
I love the look of covers but in most cases (not all), I like the sound of no-covers.
I love the look of covers but in most cases (not all), I like the sound of no-covers.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Pickup Covers: On or Off?
+1. Put them covers on! You always have plenty of treble left to dial in at the amp if you need it. Covers give a little extra shielding and noise reduction. Plus they look so much better. I put covers on all my PU's (even though I usually buy them used with open coils, and I dont wax them and usually don't even solder them back on. There's usualy enough wax & tape to hold them snug. I've never had a problem with feedback on stage. Unless you're playing at some pretty loud venues (like outdoor festivals) I wouldn't worry about feedback.
+1. Put them covers on! You always have plenty of treble left to dial in at the amp if you need it. Covers give a little extra shielding and noise reduction. Plus they look so much better. I put covers on all my PU's (even though I usually buy them used with open coils, and I dont wax them and usually don't even solder them back on. There's usualy enough wax & tape to hold them snug. I've never had a problem with feedback on stage. Unless you're playing at some pretty loud venues (like outdoor festivals) I wouldn't worry about feedback.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Pickup Covers: On or Off?
I always solder them on. And if I'm not going to wax pot them I apply a piece of 1/2" masking tape across the inside of the cover where the stud polepieces will be. That's a Tom Holmes trick and it works. Then I clamp the cover on real tight with a modified padded C clamp/Vice Grip type thingie like Seymour uses and solder it up. I don't get any feedback or microphonics - not enough to worry about anyway. But I don't play all that loud and I don't stand with my back to the audience either!
I think a lot of the worry about feedback comes from playing loudly at home facing the amp. When you're on stage, don't stand facing your amp and feedback won't be much of an issue.
I always solder them on. And if I'm not going to wax pot them I apply a piece of 1/2" masking tape across the inside of the cover where the stud polepieces will be. That's a Tom Holmes trick and it works. Then I clamp the cover on real tight with a modified padded C clamp/Vice Grip type thingie like Seymour uses and solder it up. I don't get any feedback or microphonics - not enough to worry about anyway. But I don't play all that loud and I don't stand with my back to the audience either!
I think a lot of the worry about feedback comes from playing loudly at home facing the amp. When you're on stage, don't stand facing your amp and feedback won't be much of an issue.Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: Pickup Covers: On or Off?
Some silicone on top of the bobbins seems to work really well for me. If you remove the cover later, you can peel the silicone off in one piece, like the Roadrunner moving the "Acme hole" around on the bridge so Wiley Coyote will be sure to fall through.
Some silicone on top of the bobbins seems to work really well for me. If you remove the cover later, you can peel the silicone off in one piece, like the Roadrunner moving the "Acme hole" around on the bridge so Wiley Coyote will be sure to fall through.
ganzosrevenge
New member
Re: Pickup Covers: On or Off?
I prefer them off, although on a Stratocaster, I've always found them a little funny looking when they're on. However, I will agree with blueman 335 that they are a bit less distortion-y. What I think is that it becomes subjective... you get a bit less feedback and harmonics with the cover on, although with the cover off, you get a bit more firepower / perceived output / sound coming through. If there was a way to get the positives a cover does, but without disturbing the PG-based aesthetic of a strat, i'd do it in a heartbeat. For some reason though, even with a PG tele HBs look better with the cover on (maybe it's the Keef look... idk)
But experiment with it, order a pup you like with the cover, and worst comes the worst you can always unsolder and resolder the pup. If you want to keep them original spec, just order 2 of the same HB and experiment.
Jason
I prefer them off, although on a Stratocaster, I've always found them a little funny looking when they're on. However, I will agree with blueman 335 that they are a bit less distortion-y. What I think is that it becomes subjective... you get a bit less feedback and harmonics with the cover on, although with the cover off, you get a bit more firepower / perceived output / sound coming through. If there was a way to get the positives a cover does, but without disturbing the PG-based aesthetic of a strat, i'd do it in a heartbeat. For some reason though, even with a PG tele HBs look better with the cover on (maybe it's the Keef look... idk)
But experiment with it, order a pup you like with the cover, and worst comes the worst you can always unsolder and resolder the pup. If you want to keep them original spec, just order 2 of the same HB and experiment.
Jason
Re: Pickup Covers: On or Off?
what is the purpose of wax potting or masking tape in the pick up cover have a jb hb that i am getting ready to install i bought a nickel cover for it it has open poles for the adjusted side of the pu curious about the masking tape any info would be appreciated thanks robert p
I always solder them on. And if I'm not going to wax pot them I apply a piece of 1/2" masking tape across the inside of the cover where the stud polepieces will be. That's a Tom Holmes trick and it works. Then I clamp the cover on real tight with a modified padded C clamp/Vice Grip type thingie like Seymour uses and solder it up. I don't get any feedback or microphonics - not enough to worry about anyway. But I don't play all that loud and I don't stand with my back to the audience either!
what is the purpose of wax potting or masking tape in the pick up cover have a jb hb that i am getting ready to install i bought a nickel cover for it it has open poles for the adjusted side of the pu curious about the masking tape any info would be appreciated thanks robert p
Re: Pickup Covers: On or Off?
Howdy,
I replaced the stock "dirty fingers" on my ES-335 with '59s, which I ordered from my local store. When they arrived, I noticed that they lacked covers! They sound great, but an ES-335 without covers is kind of like seeing Notre Dame's football team wearing Green helmets and white pants! LOL.
Eggman
Howdy,
I replaced the stock "dirty fingers" on my ES-335 with '59s, which I ordered from my local store. When they arrived, I noticed that they lacked covers! They sound great, but an ES-335 without covers is kind of like seeing Notre Dame's football team wearing Green helmets and white pants! LOL.
Eggman
astrozombie
KatyPerryologist
Re: Pickup Covers: On or Off?
59s without covers? sad.
your es-335 had dirty fingers?
is this an old model?
59s without covers? sad.
your es-335 had dirty fingers?
is this an old model?
Re: Pickup Covers: On or Off?
Howdy,
AstroZombie: My ES-335 was made in 1980 and came from the factory with those awful "Dirty Fingers". To my ears, they were basically distortion P/Us-not the ticket for a rootsy, Keith Richards type like me!
So, I ordered SD's version of HBer which were intended for this guitar: The '59. It's smooth, thick and has enough treble/highs to satisfy even single-coil afficianados. Now my 335 probably sounds much closer to an ES-335 as it left the factory in the late 50s.
I wish my '59s had come with covers, but since I really enjoy the soul they bring to my tone, I'm leaving them in. Thank you, SD!
Eggman
PS: This baby roars through my new Carmen Ghia!
Howdy,
AstroZombie: My ES-335 was made in 1980 and came from the factory with those awful "Dirty Fingers". To my ears, they were basically distortion P/Us-not the ticket for a rootsy, Keith Richards type like me!
So, I ordered SD's version of HBer which were intended for this guitar: The '59. It's smooth, thick and has enough treble/highs to satisfy even single-coil afficianados. Now my 335 probably sounds much closer to an ES-335 as it left the factory in the late 50s.
I wish my '59s had come with covers, but since I really enjoy the soul they bring to my tone, I'm leaving them in. Thank you, SD!
Eggman
PS: This baby roars through my new Carmen Ghia!
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Re: Pickup Covers: On or Off?
My '59 is covered and I am very pleased with it. It sounds fuller to me covered and stock (no magnet swaps). Uncovered, it's a little bit more bright to me.
To be honest, I like it both ways, but I lean toward the covered side. On the other hand, my bridge pickup has to be uncovered. Clarity is golden.
My guitar looks quite cool with a covered neck humbucker and an uncovered bridge humbucker.
:friday:
My '59 is covered and I am very pleased with it. It sounds fuller to me covered and stock (no magnet swaps). Uncovered, it's a little bit more bright to me.
To be honest, I like it both ways, but I lean toward the covered side. On the other hand, my bridge pickup has to be uncovered. Clarity is golden.
My guitar looks quite cool with a covered neck humbucker and an uncovered bridge humbucker.
:friday:
LtKojak
New member
Re: Pickup Covers: On or Off?
No guitar of mine has covers on their humbuckers, but I'm thinking to have a go with those in the next year to see how it goes.
I'm not expecting a big change, but it's all yet to see (hear). I'll be reporting here, FWIW.
No guitar of mine has covers on their humbuckers, but I'm thinking to have a go with those in the next year to see how it goes.
I'm not expecting a big change, but it's all yet to see (hear). I'll be reporting here, FWIW.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Pickup Covers: On or Off?
A Gibson style humbucker (which most Duncans are...) has 12 polepieces: six adjustable and six not adjustable. You put the 1/2" strip of masking tape inside the cover where the six not adjustable polepieces would be pressed against the inside of the cover - not the area where the six adjustable polepieces would pass pass through the six holes drilled in the cover. Understand?
The masking tape dampens the vibrations of the cover so it will not ring and induce squeeling or microphonic feedback. The masking tape also prevents the possibilty, however remote, of the six not adjustable polepieces from rattling or buzzing against the inside of the cover - because that cover should be clamped on tightly prior to soldering.
Submerging the pickup in a bath of molten wax does the same thing, but makes future removal of the pickup cover problematic. But that's what "wax potting" is.
A Gibson style humbucker (which most Duncans are...) has 12 polepieces: six adjustable and six not adjustable. You put the 1/2" strip of masking tape inside the cover where the six not adjustable polepieces would be pressed against the inside of the cover - not the area where the six adjustable polepieces would pass pass through the six holes drilled in the cover. Understand?
The masking tape dampens the vibrations of the cover so it will not ring and induce squeeling or microphonic feedback. The masking tape also prevents the possibilty, however remote, of the six not adjustable polepieces from rattling or buzzing against the inside of the cover - because that cover should be clamped on tightly prior to soldering.
Submerging the pickup in a bath of molten wax does the same thing, but makes future removal of the pickup cover problematic. But that's what "wax potting" is.
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blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Pickup Covers: On or Off?
+1. All it really takes is a few drops of wax. I've swapped many magents and high quality HB's have very little wax in them. Baffles me why so many Asian PU's look like a bar of soap inside, with handfuls of wax crammed in there. They only need a fraction of that, and gobs of the stuff doesn't do anything for tone quality. From what I've seen, the cheaper the PU, the more wax inside.
+1. All it really takes is a few drops of wax. I've swapped many magents and high quality HB's have very little wax in them. Baffles me why so many Asian PU's look like a bar of soap inside, with handfuls of wax crammed in there. They only need a fraction of that, and gobs of the stuff doesn't do anything for tone quality. From what I've seen, the cheaper the PU, the more wax inside.
