Best way to isolate humbucker covers

SunDevil

I like the asethetic of humbucker covers but prefer the sound without, so I want to have them but not ground them

I’m thinking some electrical tape over the slugs and around base edge where it meets the cover to insulate it and stick it all together / to stop microphonics, but just wondered what others have come up with that might be better?

FelineGuitars

It's not just the grounding of HB covers that changes sound - it's physically having that metal in the field.

I don't think there is a way round it.....
Happy to hear otherwise

ICBM

FelineGuitars said:

It's not just the grounding of HB covers that changes sound - it's physically having that metal in the field.

I don't think there is a way round it.....
Happy to hear otherwise

That's correct, although there are two factors - that, and the capacitance of the cover to the coils. Each has an effect, and which is the more important depends on the type and thickness of the metal.

Even electrically isolating the cover completely can be tricky, because not only is there contact round the edge of the baseplate and on top of the slug poles - both of which can be separated with tape - but all the screw polepieces must be clear of the sides of their holes.

SunDevil

Thanks Gents (..as ever) - might experiment over the weekend

Sync

I recall you could get chromed plastic covers  which solved this. 

Can't remember where though. 

SunDevil

Yep - I’ve seen them for Tele neck pups, but I’ve been told that th plating comes off quickly and they end up looking crap

But quality ones would definitely provide a solution - maybe clear plastic painted on the inside would last longer? 

as @icbm said, how effective using the metal covers in this way is, will be determined by how much of the tone difference is due to the capacitance of the grounded cover vs its effect on the field when it’s isolated - if that retains 75% then I’d be happy

p90fool

I've spent ages looking for chromed plastic humbucker covers, all I can find is warnings against them! 

It's a bit of a hobby of mine to put strange old pickups onto humbucker baseplates, and I'd like some sonically transparent but stock looking covers.