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Covers on or off for tone

8ohms

Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2003
Messages
173
While I had the cover off my bridge fillmore I thought I'd give it a try. I think I may like it better but still unsure. Sounds a bit hotter and brighter. How do you guys feel about the covers? I'm not talking about looks, just tone wise.
 
B

Bluesslinger

Guest
A magnet is a magnet, regardless if it's covered or not.
 

Don

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 1, 2001
Messages
5,732
Depends on the cover. Some materials will affect tone a lot (brass). Others won't as much, if at all (nickel silver).

I removed the cover from the original (498T) bridge pickup on my LP Studio and it made a big difference, plus it looked cool as the pickup was a zebra.

Keep in mind that removing the covers changes your reference point for measuring pickup height. You'll probably end up with the pickups a little closer to the strings with the covers removed.
 

8ohms

Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2003
Messages
173
So what type of material is Gibson currently using for there covers? Mine are nickel plated, but I was assuming the material itself was brass.
 

Just-An-Epi

New member
Joined
Feb 11, 2004
Messages
344
It's all mental.. I'd love to do the blindfold test on people that claim to hear a difference.

If the sound was better with no covers then Gibson would probably leave them off.
 

Señor Verde

Active member
Joined
Jan 13, 2005
Messages
621
I have noticed a big difference with some pickups, not so much with others. I agree with Don. Adjusting poles and pickup height will make a difference as will the material of the cover.

I have owned two sets of Fralin PAF's and they sound great uncovered, but with covers they sound horribly muddy, don't know why. Wagner's Fillmores and Darkbursts don't seem affected by covers. I think Wagner's are more affected by adjusting poles and pickup heights with covers on vs. off.
 

turk

Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2004
Messages
340
Covers *do* affect the sound. I have measured it with test equipment. The frequency of the resonant peak of the particular pickup will go down a few hundred hertz with covers as compared to no covers. No myth. Fact.

It's not a drastic difference but I bet those with good ears can hear it.
 

murkat

Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2003
Messages
492
turk said:
Covers *do* affect the sound.
It's not a drastic difference but I bet those with good ears can hear it.

you are correct :biglaugh: I'll take the challenge anytime. :dude
 
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