software

Do pup covers effect the sound of a pickup?

If you do use them and they are a snug fit do you have to sodier them to base of pup?
Yes.
Brass is magnetically transparent, unlike nickel or steel, but the presence of a cover creates a capacitance between the output of the coil and earth which affects the tone.

You do have to solder the cover to the pickups base plate in order to create a reliable link to the earth circuit of which it must be part. If it isn't connected it will probably increase induced noise rather than eliminate it.

I've used pickup covers unsoldered, tested out a cover on my '59 bridge. Worked fine except at high volumes it'd squeal horridly. But for testing out it's OK to do it.

Solder the thing when you mean to make it permanent as it is one PITA to UNsolder one (best to dremel the sucker off....)

To solder you'll need some paste flux amp; a hot irom, PM me if you want the howto (probably in the FAQ tho')

The purpose of soldering is to hold the cover tightly to the bobbins to prevent the micophonic squealing or feedback Dave Z mentions above. Even if the cover fits snug you will want to solder. In fact, you will want to clamp the cover tightly against the bobbin prior to soldering so no air gap is left between them as this gap is what causes the squealing. You can wax pot after soldering if you prefer to further reduce the possibility of feedback.

As to whether the cover affects the tone there is always debate about this. My feeling is that it does slightly but it's pretty minimal.

Someone mentioned if you use masking tape over the interior of the cover you won't get microphonic squeal. I haven't tested this for myself yet though.


Originally Posted by Fusion1Someone mentioned if you use masking tape over the interior of the cover you won't get microphonic squeal. I haven't tested this for myself yet though.

It is common to place masking tape between the non adjustable pole pieces and the cover so you don't get meatal to metal contact.