Placing Chrome Caps on Humbuckers - Gibson LP

[johannes.maas]

Howdy,

I have a Gibson LP Studio 50s Tribute with Humbuckers.



I really like that guitar but I think it would look much better with chrome caps on top of the pickups.
In some German music forums there are multiple topics about this - with different opinions.
Some people say you can just place these caps on top of the pickups and they will fit, others say you have to
braze them to the humbuckers base, others say you have to wax / bath the humbucker in paraffin so you will not get heavy feedback....

I am a bit confused what is the right way?!?

I dont want to bath my pick ups in hot wax - so If I had to I would not buy these pickup covers.

Anyone made any experiences with this?

Furthermore I dont want the overall sound of the guitar to change...

Alternative: I could buy some gibson pu´s like these:

http://www.thomann.de/gb/gibson_burstbucker_pro_bridge_nc.htm

( I know the guitar will have more output then - alternatively I could buy the equivalent to my 490R and 498T Pickups that are in the guitar atm).

[zagatron1]

I don't know why someone would tell you to put those in parrafin, since that's already been done during the manufacturing process. If you're going to put covers on, I suggest this process - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp7hAqmzecA  You'll see just how easy it is, and less expensive than Burstbuckers.

[diaper head]

when you remove a cover, the pickup  is covered in wax. you need to  scrape it off.  i suppose that's why people recommend adding more wax.  not all pups are wax potted.  the 490's are not wax potted, they are scatter wound, whatever that means. according to wiki, anyhow. so if you're putting caps on your 490's they'll need to be potted or they'll feed back at higher volumes.
 
keep in mind that adding the covers will change your tone.  my thinking is, since you have to remove the pup from the guitar body to install the cap, why not go a step further and swap in a nicer set.
i know that some people really like the 490s. i am just not one of them.
i have burstbucker pros, and i like them them for heavy rock stuff, and lead work, but not so much for rhythm stuff.  i have 57 classics which have alot more clarity and chime, for when i want to play more chords, or cleans.  if you don't want to spend the $$ on gibson pups, there's always seymor duncan. they make great pups, and the cost is more reasonable.

[zagatron1]

Au contraire, mon frère, the 490R and 498T are in fact wax potted, along with the '57 Classics and your Burstbucker Pros. Now, the Burstbucker 1,2 and 3 are not wax potted.

[diaper head]

Au contraire, mon frère, the 490R and 498T are in fact wax potted, along with the '57 Classics and your Burstbucker Pros. Now, the Burstbucker 1,2 and 3 are not wax potted.

you know, i went looking for the link where i got my info, and now i can't find it. everything else i read says you're right.

[DetroitBlues]

Wax potting is on the humbucker prior to the pickup covers going on.  All it does is fill the voids inside the humbucker between the bobbins and wire.  It has nothing to do with the covers.  On cheaper humbuckers, there will sometimes be excess wax on them that gets hidden under the cover. 

Also keep in mind there are different sizes of pickup covers because of string spacing and brand.  The only way to mount the covers is to solder them on.  You could glue them, but that is a bad idea.  You want the covers to be grounded with the rest of the guitar.  I've taken them off of my humbuckers because that is the look I prefer....