Question about plastic humbucker cover
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PoorMan
MoneyForNothingologist
Re: Question about plastic humbucker cover
Plastic will not directly impact the tone, although (depending on the design) it could affect tone indirectly by causing the pickup and/or polepieces to be be further from the strings.
Plastic will not directly impact the tone, although (depending on the design) it could affect tone indirectly by causing the pickup and/or polepieces to be be further from the strings.
Zerberus
Baron Von Shred
Re: Question about plastic humbucker cover
+1. Though IMO the story is the same with metal covers, I feel that the tonal change there is for the same reason
+1. Though IMO the story is the same with metal covers, I feel that the tonal change there is for the same reason
Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: Question about plastic humbucker cover
I disagree on the metal covers. They definitely dampen the tone, to varying degrees depending on what alloys they're made of and how thick they are. I've made a bunch of homebrews that couldn't take the cover because they ruined the tone. Other times the covers sweetened up a pickup that was a little too bright or harsh. In no case did it affect the distance from the strings because I don't usually have them very close.
I disagree on the metal covers. They definitely dampen the tone, to varying degrees depending on what alloys they're made of and how thick they are. I've made a bunch of homebrews that couldn't take the cover because they ruined the tone. Other times the covers sweetened up a pickup that was a little too bright or harsh. In no case did it affect the distance from the strings because I don't usually have them very close.
Metalblaze
New member
Re: Question about plastic humbucker cover
A guitar tech here recommended them (plastic ones) to me as non-relevant to the tone.
There are good points stated above though.
A guitar tech here recommended them (plastic ones) to me as non-relevant to the tone.
There are good points stated above though.
lex666
New member
Re: Question about plastic humbucker cover
I also say that metal covers do slightly affect the tone. I actually prefer them sometimes as they seem the take out the really high end on some bright pups. I'm not sure how to describe it, but they take out some of the "spike" on the high end and makes the pup sound more balanced.
I even prefer the way covered humbuckers look, especially in an LP.
I also say that metal covers do slightly affect the tone. I actually prefer them sometimes as they seem the take out the really high end on some bright pups. I'm not sure how to describe it, but they take out some of the "spike" on the high end and makes the pup sound more balanced.
I even prefer the way covered humbuckers look, especially in an LP.
PoorMan
MoneyForNothingologist
Re: Question about plastic humbucker cover
But (depending on how you adjust the pole pieces) on a covered pickup the slugs will be further from the strings in relation to the fillisters of an uncovered pickup. Again, depending on how you adjust the fillsters.
But (depending on how you adjust the pole pieces) on a covered pickup the slugs will be further from the strings in relation to the fillisters of an uncovered pickup. Again, depending on how you adjust the fillsters.
PoorMan
MoneyForNothingologist
Re: Question about plastic humbucker cover
Depending on the guitar, pickup, and material of the metal cover...he may or may not be right to recommend a plastic cover. What kind of pickup are we talking about? Is it already in the guitar? Does the pickup currently have a metal cover? What material is the cover made of? Does the guitar sound compressed, dark or muddy?
To my ears, A good quality cover doesn't have enough tonal impact for it to even be an issue. I usually just go for aesthetics. Of course if your guitar is voiced really dark or bright, it might be more of a concern.
Depending on the guitar, pickup, and material of the metal cover...he may or may not be right to recommend a plastic cover. What kind of pickup are we talking about? Is it already in the guitar? Does the pickup currently have a metal cover? What material is the cover made of? Does the guitar sound compressed, dark or muddy?
To my ears, A good quality cover doesn't have enough tonal impact for it to even be an issue. I usually just go for aesthetics. Of course if your guitar is voiced really dark or bright, it might be more of a concern.
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Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: Question about plastic humbucker cover
True, but that would be true with no cover as well.
True, but that would be true with no cover as well.
PoorMan
MoneyForNothingologist
Re: Question about plastic humbucker cover
Not the way I do it...maybe I'm weird an no one else does this but when I have a 'bucker cover I raise the fillisters so the heads peak through the cover holes. Without raising them they are recessed in the cover. Of course the slugs are static so by raising the fillisters through cover holes the relative height difference between the slugs and fillisters is greater. Granted the difference is minimal (equal to the thickness of the cover + the gap between the bobbin top and the inside of the cover if there is one) but it's different nonetheless.
On an uncovered pickup the fillisters are lower because I don't have to raise them through cover holes...at least that's how I generally adjust them.
Not the way I do it...maybe I'm weird an no one else does this but when I have a 'bucker cover I raise the fillisters so the heads peak through the cover holes. Without raising them they are recessed in the cover. Of course the slugs are static so by raising the fillisters through cover holes the relative height difference between the slugs and fillisters is greater. Granted the difference is minimal (equal to the thickness of the cover + the gap between the bobbin top and the inside of the cover if there is one) but it's different nonetheless.
On an uncovered pickup the fillisters are lower because I don't have to raise them through cover holes...at least that's how I generally adjust them.
Zhangliqun
Questionologist
Re: Question about plastic humbucker cover
Most people tend to raise the poles because it just looks weird if they're sunk down in there. But the effect of raising them is the same either way -- makes the pu brighter.
Most people tend to raise the poles because it just looks weird if they're sunk down in there. But the effect of raising them is the same either way -- makes the pu brighter.
PoorMan
MoneyForNothingologist
Metalblaze
New member
Re: Question about plastic humbucker cover
No it's not for a specific pickup I just wanted to make the pickups look like emgs. I like the look of them.
As for my fuuuuture (lol) project I'll get matt black METAL covered pickups. I like them best.
No it's not for a specific pickup I just wanted to make the pickups look like emgs. I like the look of them.
As for my fuuuuture (lol) project I'll get matt black METAL covered pickups. I like them best.
