Removing nickel covers? How to?

[twoheadedboy]

Hey guys. I have an Epiphone bridge pickup here that has a nickel cover. I want to remove the nickel cover to use with a '59 that i have on the way. The only thing that appears to be keeping the cover attached to the rest of the pickup is 2 big blobs of solder on the edge of the baseplate. I tried to melt this solder with a normal soldering iron, but it didn't really do much. Would epiphone have used some sort of special solder to attach the cover? A little help would be appreciated. I don't wanna ruin the shiny nickel finish or something.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Removing nickel covers? How to?

What power is your soldering iron? You should be able to melt that solder with a 40w iron, maybe a 25w but it might take a bit longer. Ideally you should have a solder sucker to get the solder off the baseplate, but you can do it without one. You just need to slip a knife blade or similar through the molten solder to ensure it stays undone. Once you get the solder undone you can easily push the cover off. Let the soldering iron heat up for a good 10-15 minutes before you try.

What I'm not sure about is whether an Epi cover will be a good fit for a Seymour Duncan humbucker. Anyone?

 

[twoheadedboy]

Re: Removing nickel covers? How to?

I would assume it will be a decent fit. I measured the baseplate on another SD and it's the same as the the Epi pickup that is under the cover now. The spacing of the pole pieces is the same too. I just can't get the friggin solder to melt!

 

[twoheadedboy]

Re: Removing nickel covers? How to?

I'm using a 30/35 watt soldering iron, but I may switch to something higher power.

 

[twoheadedboy]

Re: Removing nickel covers? How to?

Okay... using a 100w and 4 pairs of hands and 2 knives i managed. I think i have CP or something.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Removing nickel covers? How to?

The ideal way to do it is with a dremel tool, with the little sawblade attachment.
You saw through each solder point very clean, then if you have to re-attach the cover, you just melt those spots again.

I've run into the same problem you're having. I tried to heat it up, then cut through it with a knife. It's a pain in the ass. The dremel tool/sawblade is the best way. They must use a solder that melts at 60+ watts!