As covers to SD SH-59s?

[marc2211]

So I have an Epiphone LP in with I installed a set of SD 59s. I love the sound, really fantastic from the start, they are just perfect for me and I always get compliments on the tone.

The only thing I don’t like is the look as they are uncovered with black bobbins. They didn’t have the covered versions available when I got them.

I recently got another guitar with covered 59s (export version), and noticed that they sound slightly less hot, which I actually like, but not sure if this is specific to the PUs, guitar or covers.

I can add covers for 30€ per PU, and am very tempted… but don’t want to change the sound too much.

Anyone have an idea how adding covers usually changes the sound of these pickups? If it’s minimal, or makes them. little less hot/raw, I’d be happy.

Thanks in advance!

 

[marc2211]

So I have an Epiphone LP in with I installed a set of SD 59s. I love the sound, really fantastic from the start, they are just perfect for me and I always get compliments on the tone.

The only thing I don’t like is the look as they are uncovered with black bobbins. They didn’t have the covered versions available when I got them.

I recently got another guitar with covered 59s (export version), and noticed that they sound slightly less hot, which I actually like, but not sure if this is specific to the PUs, guitar or covers.

I can add covers for 30€ per PU, and am very tempted… but don’t want to change the sound too much.

Anyone have an idea how adding covers usually changes the sound of these pickups? If it’s minimal, or makes them. little less hot/raw, I’d be happy.

Thanks in advance!



View attachment 1073414

Compared to the other guitar…

 

[Bruxist]

I think it might attenuate a little treble but nothing you can't compensate for on your amp.

I have bought covers from Philadelphia Luthiers Tools for Seymour Duncans and they have all been fine.

 

[schmee]

Not a huge HB guy, but I liked the uncovered ones I've had and they do seem a bit more dynamic and lively.

 

[northernguitar]

Are the Schecter pickups even SD or are they ‘Duncan Designed’? Also, perhaps the EPI is a brighter guitar acoustically.

Either way, pup covers are easy to install. And if you can seriously note big differences, get your ears insured because they’re magic. Just don’t tell your brain that

 

[marc2211]

Are the Schecter pickups even SD or are they ‘Duncan Designed’? Also, perhaps the EPI is a brighter guitar acoustically.

Either way, pup covers are easy to install. And if you can seriously note big differences, get your ears insured because they’re magic. Just don’t tell your brain that

Good catch, they are the ‘Duncan Designed’ versions. I took a look and they seem to be really similar, and sound almost the same.

Looks like I’ll order the covers today.

 

[Wallaby]

I've learned a couple things about installing HB covers, YMMV. Apologies if you're already familiar with all of this! I just installed some covers yesterday so it's fresh in my mind, and I thought I'd share.

The mounting rings might not be perfectly aligned with the cavity below, and the addition of the cover can cause the pickup to rub the wall of the cavity, which can then cause other issues with the pickup alignment to the strings. Hopefully this won't happen!

Also covers can bow outward in the middle after they've been fitted to the pickup, making the potential for rubbing even worse. So I use a vise to hold the pickups and covers together upside down, with the vise tight enough to press the sides of the cover tightly to the sides of the pickup frame. I solder the pickups while they're in the vise. The vise can be a gigantic heat sink and make the soldering difficult, so I use a couple of wooden spacers on the vise jaws to avoid that.

It helps to raise the pole screws high enough so they can act as guides when press-fitting the cover. Once the covers are soldered the pole screw holes will remain aligned correctly.

It helps to use a small clamp of some type to firmly ( but gently ) press the cover on to the pickup after press-fitting it, to try to take up any last minuscule gap between the bobbin tops and the inside of the cover.

You can remove the two center pole screws to create clearance for the soldering iron, and put them back afterward.

I use 850F for soldering covers, it works very quickly with my small chisel tip and lets me get the joint finished before the heat spreads into the delicate innards of the pickups.

Good luck with your project! It will be interesting to find out if you hear a difference after installing them.