Removing a Humbucker Cover???
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Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Removing a Humbucker Cover???
And don't worry about pulling too hard, they don't just fall off, you gotta put some force behind it.
And don't worry about pulling too hard, they don't just fall off, you gotta put some force behind it.
YeRedHouseOverYonder
New member
Re: Removing a Humbucker Cover???
Use a soldering iron that's rated at least 60w. If you can adjust the temp, it might make it easier. A razor can help separate the hot solder, but I'd be weary if this is your first time or they are expensive pickups.
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Use a soldering iron that's rated at least 60w. If you can adjust the temp, it might make it easier. A razor can help separate the hot solder, but I'd be weary if this is your first time or they are expensive pickups.
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Re: Removing a Humbucker Cover???
Trying to use a solder iron while separating the cover from the pup while the solder is hot is a tricky operation. And all that heat may damage the pup. The hammer and chisel technique is by far the easiest, quickest, and safest (to the pup, not your fingers). Just be very careful that your fingers are out of the way.
Trying to use a solder iron while separating the cover from the pup while the solder is hot is a tricky operation. And all that heat may damage the pup. The hammer and chisel technique is by far the easiest, quickest, and safest (to the pup, not your fingers). Just be very careful that your fingers are out of the way.
dotsdad
New member
Re: Removing a Humbucker Cover???
Once you get the cover off you're going to see a ton of wax, as you can see below. (It's a pickup I pulled the cover from a few days ago.)
You can remove the wax with a hairdryer. Use the hairdryer to melt the wax, and a soft cloth to wipe the melted wax off. Keep the hairdryer moving, though - too much heat could damage the plastic bobbins.
Once you get the cover off you're going to see a ton of wax, as you can see below. (It's a pickup I pulled the cover from a few days ago.)
You can remove the wax with a hairdryer. Use the hairdryer to melt the wax, and a soft cloth to wipe the melted wax off. Keep the hairdryer moving, though - too much heat could damage the plastic bobbins.
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Removing a Humbucker Cover???
These days, I use a little Japanese saw like Dan Erlewine uses. Watch at 1:54. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o36vU0baCFM
These days, I use a little Japanese saw like Dan Erlewine uses. Watch at 1:54. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o36vU0baCFM
Re: Removing a Humbucker Cover???
I use the Dremel technique alot with great success. Very quick and effective. I've also used the hammer and chisel technique with equal success. But mounting the pup in my vise requires me to go down to my garage where my vise is and using the Dremel let's me take care of business at my workbench where I already am working. I'm basically lazy, so I mostly use the Dremel.
I use the Dremel technique alot with great success. Very quick and effective. I've also used the hammer and chisel technique with equal success. But mounting the pup in my vise requires me to go down to my garage where my vise is and using the Dremel let's me take care of business at my workbench where I already am working. I'm basically lazy, so I mostly use the Dremel.
Jeff_H
Dean Hardtail Fanologist
Re: Removing a Humbucker Cover???
I can totally relate to the lazy part. It gets worse as I get older. I've used the chisel and even just a razor knife/utility knife to cut through the solder. Then it's easy to reflow the solder if you want to put it back on.
Let us know how it goes.
I can totally relate to the lazy part. It gets worse as I get older. I've used the chisel and even just a razor knife/utility knife to cut through the solder. Then it's easy to reflow the solder if you want to put it back on.
Let us know how it goes.
PicoRiveraTele
New member
Re: Removing a Humbucker Cover???
As mentioned, using a soldering iron doesn't work so well. I tried the dremel approach but I sometimes took some metal out of the cover itself if I wasn't real careful. The hammer putty knife approach looks OK, but you need a vice, and when you apply that much force you risk scratching against whatever is securing it, or denting up the cover if you slip up. The method I favor is a box cutter, the type with a large grip, but the thin tiny ones. Be sure to keep your fingers well away from the blade in case it slips somehow. Rock the razor, gently saw at it, and it cuts through the glob in a matter of seconds.
As mentioned, using a soldering iron doesn't work so well. I tried the dremel approach but I sometimes took some metal out of the cover itself if I wasn't real careful. The hammer putty knife approach looks OK, but you need a vice, and when you apply that much force you risk scratching against whatever is securing it, or denting up the cover if you slip up. The method I favor is a box cutter, the type with a large grip, but the thin tiny ones. Be sure to keep your fingers well away from the blade in case it slips somehow. Rock the razor, gently saw at it, and it cuts through the glob in a matter of seconds.
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