Tone difference between covered/uncovered pickups

[Inflames626]

Someone has probably covered this here, but I hear a difference between covered and uncovered pickups. I am wondering if it is my imagination so I thought I would run it past everyone else.

To my knowledge the difference between the two is mainly cosmetic, but also that covered pickups are less prone to noise.

However, with a covered pickup I hear a more "closed," mid focused, almost nasally quality, while a regular uncovered pickup sounds more open.

No clue if there's a difference in tone between double black and zebra pickups. : )

 

[beaubrummels]

The difference is real, but slight. It's like the difference between 9.5 and 10/No-Load on the tone dial, except you don't have to touch the tone.

I once put an open-pickup cover on an uncovered pickup (e.g those covers that only cover the coil but not the top of the bobbin) and it sounded darker and murkier than a full cover.

 

[Inflames626]

beaubrummels , do covered pickups also cause microphonic feedback? I thought they tended to do that in hollow/semi hollow bodies, but that may be because of the guitar construction.

 

[Mincer]

beaubrummels , do covered pickups also cause microphonic feedback? I thought they tended to do that in hollow/semi hollow bodies, but that may be because of the guitar construction.

Unpotted pickups, covered or not increase microphonic feedback, but also increase touch-sensitivity (dynamics). I think the tradeoff is worth it, but others don't.

 

[Lucius Paisley]

Maybe it's our eyes playing tricks...



LOOK! IT HAS MORE DOTS!

 

[freefrog]

The difference exists objectively and can be pictured with lab gear. But it depends on the cover used (thickness, materials, shape of the holes or slots).

EDIT - The question being discussed more than often here or elsewhere, there's loads of Internet contributions about it. See for example this recent topic: https://forum.seymourduncan.com/for...son-les-paul-pickups-to-cover-or-not-to-cover

 

[Clint 55]

I notice a little more spank in the neck and clank in the bridge with covers, plus a tad of overall vintageness. They sound slightly fatter without.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

beaubrummels , do covered pickups also cause microphonic feedback? I thought they tended to do that in hollow/semi hollow bodies, but that may be because of the guitar construction.

Unpotted pickups, covered or not increase microphonic feedback, but also increase touch-sensitivity (dynamics). I think the tradeoff is worth it, but others don't.

Covered unpotted humbuckers are particularly troublesome when it comes to feedback. When players first began removing their covers in the 60s (with the advent of loud rock n roll) it was to mitigate the feedback.

If humbucker covers aren't good and tight, feedback can sometimes be a problem even when putting them on potted pickups.
Nowadays, many will put a strip of tape inside the cover when attaching it, to damp any vibration against the top of the bobbins.

 

[Inflames626]

Thanks eclecticsynergy and Mincer. I didn't even think about potted vs. unpotted. You both always have good comments. I hear the same as Clint 55.

 

[uOpt]

The cover dampens the amplitude of the resonance peak. Similar to a lower value volume pot.

 

[Artie]

Plastics have come a long way. My Livewires, Mustaine's, and Blackouts, all have plastic covers, and look great. I wonder if they could just do "chrome" plastic covers, like old model car bumpers did.

 

[Mikelamury]

I have a 498t in the bridge of both my Les Paul's one with a nickel cover one with zebra bobbins. I thought that I noticed that the zebra bobbin one sounded more open and a tad bit brighter. It's weird I really like the tone of the 498t with the cover and hearing it even with such a small difference kinda throws me of I guess that's why the one with the cover is my main guitar for a reason.

 

[DCikes88]

Maybe it's our eyes playing tricks...



LOOK! IT HAS MORE DOTS!

Dots? What dots?

 

[Lucius Paisley]

Dots? What dots?

I would have gone with this.

It's funny because it's plastic.

 

[Chistopher]

Rectangles > dots

 

[Lucius Paisley]

Rectangles > dots

...

 

[Securb]

Nowadays, many will put a strip of tape inside the cover when attaching it, to damp any vibration against the top of the bobbins.

I use a bead of silicone under the cover

 

[Mincer]

Rectangles > dots

Blades > Rectangles

 

[Chistopher]

Why not have both?

 

[GuitarDoc]

Why not have both?

Both of what? Blades/rectangles and dots?

Ah, the proverbial Fuglybucker. But no dots there. Staples and blades...great combination.