Noisy neck pickup cover

[bradpdx]

My 52RI has some newer VanZandts, which sound great. Unlike most PUPs, VZs don't come with a neck cover, and so I used an old Allparts chrome cover a friend had in old inventory. Of course I carefully bent the tabs to make it as tight a fit as was reasonable.

The pickup sounds great, but as with many Tele necks in the past it is microphonic when tapped. If I crank up the gain (e.g., compression + overdrive), it will feedback as well from cover vibrations.

The problem isn't severe - I could live with it. The part that bothers me most is the "clink" I get when I hit the pickup with a pick. I don't pick in that position very often, but if I do you can easily hear it.

Long ago I recall addressing this problem with electrical tape on the INSIDE of the cover to dampen it and give it a more snug fit. Any other practical suggestions from the vast experience of the TDPRI?

[BritishBluesBoy]

Wax potting will fix that...

http://www.guitarnuts.com/technical/...ical/index.php

[bradpdx]

Originally Posted by BritishBluesBoy

Wax potting will fix that...

Yeah, pain in the rear but likely the best solution. I wish that VanZandt would just supply a cover!

[RockinCarl]

Actually, all you probably need to do is take the cover off, and melt a little bit of wax in the cover, and press it back on the pickup. But thats probably what B.B.B. meant anyways.

[bradpdx]

Originally Posted by RockinCarl

Actually, all you probably need to do is take the cover off, and melt a little bit of wax in the cover, and press it back on the pickup. But thats probably what B.B.B. meant anyways.

That sounds a good deal less involved - I'll give it a try.

What did or does Fender do about this? I cannot recall, I haven't had Fender pickups in years. Are the neck PUPs potted??

I do recall have several old Fender neck PUPs that had this same problem to varying degrees.