Question for Evan about pickup covers

[Lewguitar]

Hi Evan! Can you tell us if there is any difference between the pickup covers used on the Seth Lover, Antiquity, 59 and other Duncan humbuckers? Is it true that Duncan uses two differant covers: one nickel silver and the other brass with nickel plating?

I thought they were all brass with some kind of plating.

Thanks! Lew

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Question for Evan about pickup covers

All Seymour Duncan humbuckers use a nickel-silver substrate with either nickel, chrome or 24 karat "hard gold" plating. It's the same material Gibson used on the PAFs - though they called it "German Silver." We don't use brass because it attenuates the treble response.

The only brass cover we use is on the Telecaster rhythm (neck) -- and that's because that cover was traditionally made from chrome-plated brass.

I hope that helps.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Question for Evan about pickup covers

Thanks Evan! German Silver...that's what the earliest 1929 and early 30's National Tri Cone guitars were made out of. National doesn't use it today...they use brass or steel.

Lew

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Question for Evan about pickup covers

The funny thing is that while both "nickel silver" and "German silver" have the name "silver" in common, the material is almost all nickel and no silver.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Question for Evan about pickup covers

The funny thing is that while both "nickel silver" and "German silver" have the name "silver" in common, the material is almost all nickel and no silver.

Those old German Silver National Tri-Cones guitars go for a fortune today and everyone thinks they sound better than brass...which is what Natianal uses for the reissue. I was told by National that they use brass because the German Silver isn't available. Maybe it's just not available at an affordable price?