grandmaster Posted January 8, 2012 Posted January 8, 2012 I was wondering if engraving my humbucker covers would effect the sound of the guitar? Many thanks.
Gordy01 Posted January 8, 2012 Posted January 8, 2012 I am wondering if by engraving, the gold, or chrome coating will be broken and start peeling and rusting. I do not know for sure, just wondering.
RaSTuS Posted January 8, 2012 Posted January 8, 2012 Even if you put covers onto uncovered pickups they will still essentially sound the same, just that covered you'll lose a bit of the highs.
damian Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 It depends on what you engrave on the covers............I once engraved "EMG" on Gibson pickup covers; They s*cked after that...... :unsure: ......
Sjael Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 It depends on what you engrave on the covers............I once engraved "EMG" on Gibson pickup covers; They s*cked after that...... :unsure: ...... Well that's interesting, because I tried stenciling 'Gibson' on my EMG pickups and they turned weak and lifeless.
damian Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 Well that's interesting, because I tried stenciling 'Gibson' on my EMG pickups and they turned weak and lifeless. :unsure: .............. [lol] ..............
dem00n Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 It depends on what you engrave on the covers............I once engraved "EMG" on Gibson pickup covers; They s*cked after that...... :unsure: ...... Amen!!!
mrw1960 Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 Well I don't know what it would do for the sound. But here is a pic of a laser engraved neckplate of one of my Strats.
animalfarm Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 I am wondering if by engraving, the gold, or chrome coating will be broken and start peeling and rusting. I do not know for sure, just wondering. Would NOT attempt with GOLD covers, for sure. A couple of years ago, I stupidly used a bit of Brasso on some crappy GOld covers to remove black marks that would NOT come off any other way for a Project Guitar. Within SECONDS, I had the SHINIEST Chrome covers on the planet. Brasso is some wicked stuff on ultra-thin GOLD Plating. Never again.....
stein Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 It depends on what you engrave on the covers............I once engraved "EMG" on Gibson pickup covers; They s*cked after that...... :unsure: ...... Now THAT's got quality comedic value.
damian Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 Now THAT's got quality comedic value. reserved spot..........
damian Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 To the OP; If you do the engraving, let us know how it turns out.......Any cover that's plated, IMO, will be a problem to engrave...... Unless it's replated afterwards..........I could be wrong........
damian Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 You could go with "embossing" as well..........Such as; ...
RaSTuS Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 I am wondering if by engraving, the gold, or chrome coating will be broken and start peeling and rusting. I do not know for sure, just wondering. Good point Gordo, any electroplaters out there that could expand on this ???
Lefty Bill Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 There are electro-less nickel plating products available for small projects.. but I dunno about chrome or the goldtone colors. For engraving, I wouldn't want to use the impact-type engraver, but the other common techniques would suffice.. the drag method or rotating cutter method is what's generally used for jewelry or items such as the metal plates on trophies/awards. Laser imaging is a fantastic area, and photographic images or any type of graphics can be reproduced. There are companies (and some home enthusiast-types) that will do small jobs. I have a few neck plates like MRW's image shown in an earlier reply. One thing for sure, engraving won't cause the covers to rust, because the metals used for covers isn't steel but copper or brass most likely (I don't think aluminum is used, aluminium for UK and AU members). The example of the embossed/stamped Gibson logo, would require a special die/tooling to be able to attain repeatable results (and Gibson or other company may object to someone using their trademark), but otherwise embossing could be accomplished with a press or other means (percussive persuasion) depending upon how much area is needed to be moved. After engraving, there will likely be a color difference, revealing the cover substrate, and there are clear finish coatings that would likely prevent any problems with oxidation or mild corrosion starting to bloom. Bill Good point Gordo, any electroplaters out there that could expand on this ???
hilm3 Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 Engraving implies using a tool bit or endmill to cut into the surface, usually a few mils. This will effectively remove any plating, be it nickel, chrome, or gold, as found on a pickup cover. This plating is only a few microns thick. Plain (unplated) steel can be engraved, but would need a process called passivation to inhibit rust formation. Even stainless steel that is engraved will rust fairly quickly without passivation. Best results can be obtained by removing the plating, engraving, and then replating. There are lots of plating houses all over the country that could tell you how to best proceed with a project like this. The process itself is fast and inexpensive, but a lot of companies hit you with a high setup charge or minimum lot charge. You'll have to talk to a few and shop around. Laser engraving is a different process, and may or may not penetrate through the plating. Chemical etching is a possibility, but lot charges will kill you there for sure. Embossing is done with a forming die under pressure. Cheap, once you spend a few thousand on the die.
james_edward Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 Or... you could buy yourself a nickel-silver pickup cover (which are not plated) and engrave them like a guy I know who builds very nice custom pickups here in Toronto.
grandmaster Posted January 9, 2012 Author Posted January 9, 2012 I want to get the Epiphone logo text on one and the Epiphone harp crest on the other.
damian Posted January 11, 2012 Posted January 11, 2012 Grandmaster; Blank nickelsilver pickup covers can be bought at "Allparts."....I don't shop there as they are an expensive site.......... I'm doing more research on the subject......Let me know on this thread or via PM if you want to know what I'm learning..................... I'm waiting to have "Damian Signature" pickups made, so, I don't mind doing the research...........Damian..................
buliwyf Posted January 13, 2012 Posted January 13, 2012 Well I don't know what it would do for the sound. But here is a pic of a laser engraved neckplate of one of my Strats. I definatly love the Betty Page laser shot on your neck plate,then again I dig Betty Page she was beautiful plus infinity!
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