animalfarm Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Has anyone ever installed Gibson Humbucker covers on Epiphone Open-coil humbuckers? I've done the background research, looks like 2 ways, use wax (not preferred, but open to option), or use a strip of electrical tape to prevent vibration between cover and pup. The covers I'm looking at have the holes where the adjustment screws will stick up thru. Supposedly won't affect my tone, only looking at cosmetic upgrade. Of course will involve Soldering cover to existing pick up base. Just curious. Any feedback? Or would doing this just be a waste of time? Mahalo!!!!
Ricochet Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Just try and put them on with 2 small dabs of solder first. If you get any extraneous noises use wax.
sexygibson Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Keep in mind that every cover is not going to fit every pickup. I would email Gibson with the pickup type and they could tell you exactly what pickup cover model # will fit.
Dr. Rock Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Sorry but a cover add more bass and IMO the sound is muddier than open coils.
animalfarm Posted February 23, 2009 Author Posted February 23, 2009 I LIKE the way my black open-coil EPI LP Studio pups sound, 2008 EPI catalog shows them to be "Alnico Classic Humbuckers", just wish they had chrome/nickel covers (a purely cosmetic thing, as stated previously). My brain "sez" purchasing "D.I.Y." covers is the inexpensive alternative to NEW. Will e-mail Gibson/EPI with info, drop a hint that I "might" purchase new for right price (but just to have a damn chrome cover? Doesn't make sense!) see what happenz... Any input regarding installation, tonal quality difference, etc. is appreciated. Currently I've read on the web regarding installation: 1. Just solder 'em, they won't vibrate. 2. Put thin film of wax on inside of cover, solder 'em. 3. Put ONE strip of electrical tape between coils, solder 'em. 4. Put thin bead of silicone on pup, solder 'em. 5. Use small C-clamp (protect cover side) to hold unit together when soldering.
mrjones200x Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Covered = extra bassy more muddy imo. Theres a youtube vid somewhere showing before and after on a epi LP. Cant remember what to search. try something along the lines of "pickup before"
mrjones200x Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Sorry heres the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZO5Olq5tqk After rewatching the vid i might put my covers on my New iron gear pups to see how they sound.
animalfarm Posted February 23, 2009 Author Posted February 23, 2009 Sorry heres the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZO5Olq5tqk After rewatching the vid i might put my covers on my New iron gear pups to see how they sound. The dude's guitar without the covers sounds like my EPI does NOW. Will re-listen a few more times, see if the tonal difference is what I want. I CAN always pull the covers back off if I DO go that direction!!!
animalfarm Posted February 23, 2009 Author Posted February 23, 2009 did more looking, even found similar post from 07 nov 08 regarding same subject. It appears that pole-spacing (center to center) for NECK pups on Gibson covers is 50mm, BRIDGE spacing is 52mm. Can't measure 'til I get home, can't find any specs for "Alnico Classic" humbuckers in that regard. Gibson or EPI co site not really helpful, just tells me my LP studio came with "A/C humbuckers". Gee, do you suppose EPI cheaped out and used the SAME pickup for BOTH positions? GOTTA GET HOME... TWITCH, TWITCH, GIBBER, GIBBER... MUST MEASURE.....
animalfarm Posted February 23, 2009 Author Posted February 23, 2009 This still doesn't 'zackly indicate Alnico Classic Humbucker, but may be useful to someone....
Dr. Rock Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 Gee' date=' do you suppose EPI cheaped out and used the SAME pickup forBOTH positions? [/quote'] Yeah! I think it's the case.
animalfarm Posted February 23, 2009 Author Posted February 23, 2009 "Faith and begorrah"! I measured - 50mm for neck, 52m for bridge! Measured my Raven, too. 50 and 52mm! Gibson covers are 50mm and 52 mm. At $16.50 ea, I believe I can afford to try a set for a learning experience. Cheaper than 100.00 + New humbuckers. If I don't like 'em, i can drop a hint at one of the local music stores I have a set of covers I'd like to sell/swap, etc.
dubstar Posted February 23, 2009 Posted February 23, 2009 "Sorry but a cover add more bass and IMO the sound is muddier than open coils." considering the huge amount of players that play guitars with covers that sound just fine, I think this is a very subjective opinion...
Dr. Rock Posted March 6, 2009 Posted March 6, 2009 "Sorry but a cover add more bass and IMO the sound is muddier than open coils." considering the huge amount of players that play guitars with covers that sound just fine' date=' I think this is a very subjective opinion...[/quote'] Yeah! And there sounds have more bass and is muddier!
Ricochet Posted March 6, 2009 Posted March 6, 2009 IMO It hardly makes a discernable difference. A little less defined with covers on. More bass? That's just exemplary of how subjective this is. There is no such thing as more bass unless it's an active circuit. A little less defined high...maybe.
generation zero Posted March 6, 2009 Posted March 6, 2009 "Sorry but a cover add more bass and IMO the sound is muddier than open coils." considering the huge amount of players that play guitars with covers that sound just fine' date=' I think this is a very subjective opinion...[/quote'] There are plenty of covered pickups that sound great, but I can state from experience that the exact same model pickup with covers does in fact sound muddier than without. I agree it's probably less treble as opposed to more bass, but the key element is that it is noticably different. To get a similar sound to an open coil epi pickup, I would try something a little hotter or brighter if I was going covered, like a 490r 498t combo. But for 30 bucks, I'd try the covers first, you may like the tonal difference better, versus spending 200 or more on new pickups.
Dr. Rock Posted March 7, 2009 Posted March 7, 2009 Thanks GZ! I realize I'm wrong about the adding bass. Less treble is more logical.
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