removing the cover of a humbucker

[hifi_killer]

I heard if you remove the cover, the shiny flat metal cover piece, somehow, the tone will be slightly warmer, and also there will be less feedback.How true is that?

I've got an epi lp std, if i remove the pickup covers, how different is it from an epi lp classic? Is it the same pickups just that it has an extra metal cover?
And how do you do it?

 

[serialninja]

what i heard is that if you have the metal covers it distorts the magnetic field, making it wider and giving you a warmer sound as a result.

also apparently most pickup manufacturers fix the covers to the pickups using like, wax or something. maybe it's superglue, i dunno. that's what i hear, at least.

 

[Ryuworks]

If you remove the PU covers, the output will be higher and harsher, not warmer. And it will almost cure the feedback prb. BUt note that some Pu covers are not meant to be removable.

 

[hifi_killer]

so is it possible to take it out from a epiphone les paul standard?
when you take it out, how will the pickups look like?

 

[fretless6]

I dun recommend doing it if u are unsure of what you are doing. The entire pickup is potted with wax. If u damage the windings when u remove the cover, u could render the pickup dead.

Anyway a properly potted pickup shouldn't feedback much, with cover or otherwise. If want u wanna do is make it less microphonic, u could just repot the pickup. Covered pickups have a little less presense, so they sound a little less bright.

 

[kingkong007]

I heard if you remove the cover, the shiny flat metal cover piece, somehow, the tone will be slightly warmer, and also there will be less feedback.How true is that?

I've got an epi lp std, if i remove the pickup covers, how different is it from an epi lp classic? Is it the same pickups just that it has an extra metal cover?
And how do you do it?

I had removed the stock pickup on my epiphone lp before, what i did was to use a small flathead screwdriver(those really small ones that ya used on spectacles) and a hairblower.


1) remove all your strings, unscrew the pickup mounting ring and than the pickups from the mounting ring.

2) look at the underside of the pickup, There should be 2 ends soldered on betwwen the pickup and the pickup cover. Take the screw driver and break the lead apart. Beware, do not push the screw driver in too deep. It might lead to damage to your pickup. Ya may also use a soldeing iron to melt the lead but it takes a longer time and excessive heat may damage the magnetic field of the pickup.

3) After you had done that, you may find that the pickup is still secured to the cover. Use the same screwdriver again, push it slightly in at the corner of the pickup and try to push the pickup out. It should not be to hard but you will still need to apply some slight pressure.

4) After you had done that ypu should see the pickup coverd with wax. Use the hair blower to melt the wax. After the wax melted, wipe up away with a rag or something. Repeat the process til the pickup is free from wax.

Please put some protection over your guitar while doing all the steps. You wouldn't want to damage the finish or dent it. The safest way is to remove the pickup from the guitar first and putting it back when you are done with your job. I had used this method on 2 sets of pickups and they are still working great. Good luck!

 

[vernplum]

Don't do it.

The pickups underneath are wound with a kind of tape to keep the two halves together. Over time, the inner 'sticky' side attracts dust and hair and, if you're one of those players whose hand or pick hits the pickups during playing, it will potentially fray too. Needless to say, they might end up looking quite untidy.