smerdlap Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 i just had a real quick question. Can i take off the stock pickup covers on my G-400 to reveal the bare humbuckers (without breaking them)? and if so, what sort of change in sound is there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Killmore Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 There's gonna be a whole lotta wax under those covers. When I removed the cover on my neck pickup to do the "Peter Green Mod", there was so much wax that it looked like a Jello mold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerdlap Posted August 4, 2008 Author Share Posted August 4, 2008 There's gonna be a whole lotta wax under those covers. When I removed the cover on my neck pickup to do the "Peter Green Mod"' date=' there was so much wax that it looked like a Jello mold.[/quote'] so can i get rid of the wax somehow without damaging the pup? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suicidehummer Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 They're most likely soldered-on. There really is not much of a difference in sound despite what many people will tell you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Killmore Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 so can i get rid of the wax somehow without damaging the pup? Not quite sure. Someone here should know. How is it that you have negative 17 posts? That is wierd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerdlap Posted August 4, 2008 Author Share Posted August 4, 2008 Not quite sure. Someone here should know. How is it that you have negative 17 posts? That is wierd. well, i havent made any posts in a while, so maybe it doesnt like me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roswell Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 You have -16 now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suicidehummer Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 well' date=' i havent made any posts in a while, so maybe it doesnt like me?[/quote'] Didn't you say it might have had something to do with the mods? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerdlap Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 Didn't you say it might have had something to do with the mods? i have no idea :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antwhi2001 Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 The cover is usually fixed to the pup plate by a couple of blobs of solder, which can be easily melted off with a soldering iron. It's also full of wax which may make the cover difficult to pull off. Melt this with a hairdryer. You may find the pup plastic bobbins aren't a nice black colour, some are a greyish colour depending on the batch and the factory. The wax will scrape or wipe off as it melts. Don't chisel it off with a metal tool, you may break the wire. And don't expect much difference in tone...it may be a little brighter but not a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerdlap Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 The cover is usually fixed to the pup plate by a couple of blobs of solder' date=' which can be easily melted off with a soldering iron. It's also full of wax which may make the cover difficult to pull off. Melt this with a hairdryer. You may find the pup plastic bobbins aren't a nice black colour, some are a greyish colour depending on the batch and the factory. The wax will scrape or wipe off as it melts. Don't chisel it off with a metal tool, you may break the wire. And don't expect much difference in tone...it may be a little brighter but not a lot. [/quote'] assuming i dont chisel the pup, it shouldent break if i do this right? i just want to make sure because i havent done anything like this before :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antwhi2001 Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 It should be fine, just give it 2 minutes with the hairdryer before you try to prise the cover off, than melt off the wax wiping it with a rag rather than scraping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
custer Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 If you aren't used to working on your guitars you might be better off either leaving them on or having someone show you how to take the covers off and clean them up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RotcanX Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Use a BIG soldering iron to soften the solder blobs; it's better to use a lot of heat fast han a little heat which requires you to 'cook' the solder for minutes. The pickup baseplate unfortunately acts as a big heatsink and a little 25-watt iron jkust can't do it. As said, a hair dryer will melt off the extra wax in a jiffy; put a couple of paper towels under the pickup so that you don't drip wax all over the guitar. Personally I find that these pickups improve to the point of near acceptability once the covers are off. Blocking the signal with a sheet of cheap chrome-plated brass is not going to do anything to improve the tone of a pickup that is already muddy and undefined to start with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerdlap Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 thanks for everyones help!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron G Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 With stock Epi pickups, your risk is minimal. If removal of the covers is unsuccessful, stock uncovered Epi pickups are VERY inexpensive, if not free (a forum member gave me one). New ones can be had on eBay for cheap. You might also consider killing two stones with one bird and upgrading your pickups with some of the many choices available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biff Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Don't worry, the operation really is pretty simple and the risks are small. Instead of using the iron, you can carefully strike a small chisel through the solder blobs, using a hammer. Should you somehow manage to kill the pickup, new ones are really easy to come by. I just sent a pair for free to a lad who would have be willing to pay real money for them. Once you try 3rd party pickups in the guitar, there's no going back to the horrible originals... The people here must have loads of those standard Epiphone pickups without covers lying around unused. If you let us know that you're looking for a pair (begging is prohibited in the forum rules) maybe someone near your locale is willing to send them to you for a few bucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Killmore Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 You can also pry that soldrd joint apart with a flat head screwdriver. Just wedge it in next to ths solder joint and give it a little twist. It should just pop right apart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerdlap Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 should i cut the wire leading out of the pup to make this easier? then solder it back together on once im done? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ef_in_fla Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Nooo I wouldn't do that. Look on Youtube there is a guy showing how to take a PU cover off. It will give you an idea what you're getting in to. It's not hard, I just did it last weekend. I cut the solder points with a razor blade, no soldering iron necessary. Getting the wax off is the hard part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerdlap Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 ok. thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smerdlap Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 woot! i just successfully uncovered the neck pup! i will get to work on the bridge soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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