Gibson Artist Posted September 4, 2015 Posted September 4, 2015 I noticed that the 2016 Explorers come uncovered and was wondering what people here think of the tone of covered vs not? Sorry for the noob question, but how much are gibson covers for somethin like an explorer? From this video here it seems that the covered ones have a darker, crunchier, really mean tone i like. While i realize the pickup covers in the video arent Gibson, the tones would be similar no? Just curious if anyone here messed with taking your covers on or off and what you feel the affects of either would be? Looking at the 2016 lineup my gf says i got gas for Explorer and Firebirds, but the Explorer pickups are not covered but if i really want one i wont let that stop me. Even tho i have heard some people say the odd shape made them feel like they were playing a coffee table, i still want one.
SteveFord Posted September 5, 2015 Posted September 5, 2015 I remember reading an article on Alvin Lee and he was saying how Les Paul was giving him some crap about it: Here we go, doing all this work to make sure it sounds right and then you guys go and take the covers off... Alvin responded with something like I recall you doing a little experimentation of your own which shut him up!
rct Posted September 5, 2015 Posted September 5, 2015 Covers make no appreciable difference in the sound of uncovered pickups. Uncovering covered pickups makes no appreciable difference in the sound. rct
capmaster Posted September 5, 2015 Posted September 5, 2015 In general I prefer covers, but there are pickup designs which don't allow for applying soldering heat to the longer edges of the baseplate. The ceramic-loaded Gibson 500T and Dirty Fingers have three magnets per pickup, one between the coils and two at their outer edges. Soldering metal covers to them would weaken the magnetic field of the latter. Pippy glued covers to the 496R and 500T humbuckers of his LP Classic. For making the Alex Lifeson Les Paul Axcess, Gibson soldered chrome-plated covers to 496Rs with one ceramic magnet each, but these were custom made and are unavailable as retail product. Hope this helps.
jdgm Posted September 5, 2015 Posted September 5, 2015 Generally I prefer covers just for the look. Depends on the guitar. As rct says, there is no appreciable difference in sound.
sg50 Posted September 5, 2015 Posted September 5, 2015 Regular covers or tone covers? Some proper tap-tuned tone covers make all the difference in the world, but the regular ones don't matter. It doesn't get old.
capmaster Posted September 5, 2015 Posted September 5, 2015 Covers make no appreciable difference in the sound of uncovered pickups. Uncovering covered pickups makes no appreciable difference in the sound. rct Yes. Forgot to mention in my previous post that I prefer covers for their protective effects against sweat, dust and occasional hits with fingers and picks, not for their tonal effects. To my experience the impact of good-quality covers on tone is negligible.
capmaster Posted September 5, 2015 Posted September 5, 2015 Regular covers or tone covers? Some proper tap-tuned tone covers make all the difference in the world, but the regular ones don't matter. It doesn't get old. Does tap-tuned mean their effect is based on deliberate microphonics?
sg50 Posted September 5, 2015 Posted September 5, 2015 Does tap-tuned mean their effect is based on deliberate microphonics? Sure! Or possibly resonant harmonics. As long as it's sciencey, it's pure tone.
rct Posted September 5, 2015 Posted September 5, 2015 Regular covers or tone covers? Some proper tap-tuned tone covers make all the difference in the world, but the regular ones don't matter. It doesn't get old. Never! Pre-CBS covers don't need tap tuning to sound great. rct
sg50 Posted September 5, 2015 Posted September 5, 2015 Never! Pre-CBS covers don't need tap tuning to sound great. rct Say no more! I see maybe one or two auctions a year for proper pre-CBS covers (not the KAMAN reissues), but they get bid up so high! I just can't afford to sink $3k into covers.
jdgm Posted September 5, 2015 Posted September 5, 2015 These guys sell anodised coloured aluminium pickguards and s/c pickup covers, no h/b covers yet....someone ought to do it. And there is a green anodised pickguard that Searcy would like....lots..... http://www.anotone.com/
sparquelito Posted September 5, 2015 Posted September 5, 2015 I personally prefer the naked (uncovered) pickups myself. it's not a matter of tone exactly, it's just that I like they way they look.
Flight959 Posted September 6, 2015 Posted September 6, 2015 I prefer covered...Most days... I have double creams under my covers so this week they are off... I swap about with each string change.. 2006 Gibson Les Paul 1960 Reissue by Simon Clarkson, on Flickr Regards
Mike_L Posted September 7, 2015 Posted September 7, 2015 I put some Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates in my 2014 Traditional a few days ago. Love the tone and the looks. They look good on an LP but I wouldn't go uncovered on one of my ES'
Rabs Posted September 7, 2015 Posted September 7, 2015 Yeah I like both looks.. so I have one of each :)
Silvercrow Posted September 7, 2015 Posted September 7, 2015 I prefer covered...Most days... I have double creams under my covers so this week they are off... I swap about with each string change.. 2006 Gibson Les Paul 1960 Reissue by Simon Clarkson, on Flickr Regards WOW!!! That is one Beautiful guitar! Love the grain- great picture too! I prefer covered pups. Just my preference- they make the guitar look more "finished" IMO. For a more "metal" or "hard rock" look I guess the tip-of-the-hat would got to uncovered.. Brian
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