Removing the pickup covers of a 490R and 498T

[ryancrl]

Lets say i remove the pickup covers off a Gibson Les Paul Studio,

Would it make the pickups very 'hot'?

I play alot of metal, and i was wondering whether this would give some extra power?

Would it alter your tone?

Better to just leave the pickup covers on?

Thanks!

 

[crozzfire]

The metal covers provide a certain shielding effect which cancels out noise. If you remove them.. You might experience some squealing when playing loud.

However, they tend to sound brighter without the covers from what I've observed. Though the difference isn't very obvious but, its still there.

Usually humbuckers are wax-potted to the covers, so if you remove the covers, your pickups might look a little unsightly..

 

[Rhizopus]

The metal covers provide a certain shielding effect which cancels out noise. If you remove them.. You might experience some squealing when playing loud.

Then most of the pickup will be squealling, since they are "naked". Remarkable. I learn something new everyday :mrgreen:

 

[ShredCow]

Without covers - brighter (more presence kind of brighter) and slightly hotter. Might be a good move for the neck humbucker if you think you want a little more clarity.

You wouldn't get squealing pups but you might lose some shielding and introduce a bit of noise to your tone.

 

[AzNjT]

i dont think its a good idea to remove teh covers.

the wax beneath it is hard and messy to remove, and the covers are kinda soldered on to the pickup.

 

[niteblade]

i recently swapped my 490r and 490t uncovered set for a 490r and 498t covered set for my sg


its definately treblier and more raw sounding without the cover

 

[crozzfire]

You wouldn't get squealing pups but you might lose some shielding and introduce a bit of noise to your tone.

Uh yeah thats my point. Not exactly squealing though, it was pretty much an exaggeration haha.

 

[jony]

The solder is abit too much to remove with a soldering iron. You need something to just grind it off. Dremel tool...