Jamie Dickson asks… On or off, what do pickup covers on humbuckers actually change tonally?
As we delve deep into the world of modding in this issue’s cover story (see page 68), it seemed appropriate to revisit one of the first mods for electric guitar to receive widespread attention. Back in the late 60s and early 70s, before replacement pickups were a thing, it was fashionable to remove the pickup covers from your Les Paul’s humbuckers. The theory was that it made them sound louder and hotter. In the retro obsessed present, however, avid modders will just as often seek to fit period-correct PAF-style nickel covers back on again to get the vintage look, even on more modern models from PRS, Suhr and so on. But what are the real pros and cons behind covers? Are they just a cosmetic detail or is your guitar’s sound significantly affected?
“There are many other companies that produce aftermarket covers of all shapes, sizes and designs these days,” explains Tim Mills, founder of Cornwall’s Bare Knuckle Pickups, one of the best-known brands in the business and a supplier of high-quality pickup covers.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Summer 2018 من Guitarist.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Summer 2018 من Guitarist.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
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Sonic Shaper
Electro-Harmonix revisits the effect that launched the company with the LPB-3 Linear Power Booster and EQ
Platinum Blonde
PRS has updated its Texas-voiced David Grissom signature amp with more features, lower wattage and a more approachable price tag
TAN LINES
Many of us regard straps as a bit of an afterthought, but to find one that matches the quality of a custom or vintage guitar, Rod Boyes of Pinegrove Leather can help
ELECTRIC STRINGS
Your tone starts with your strings - strike a balance between sound, tuning and durability with six of our favourites
DIFFERENT WINDS
While there's no end to repros of all the classic pickup styles, more and more pickup makers are mixing things up to move forward - Cream T is a good example
Long termers
A few months' gigging, recording and everything that goes with it - welcome to Guitarist's longterm test report
Top Guns
Chapman's new factory move coincides with a bit of a rethink. We track down the key players all around the world
the Wishlist
Dream gear to beg, borrow and steal for...
Reach For The Star
Earlier this year Guild reorganised its 70s-era Polara range. We spent some time with this mid-range 2024 model: a modern pawn-shop prize or a copy too far?
HIGH FLYER
Adrian Thorpe of ThorpyFX remembers the flight path - and turbulence behind Chris Buck's Electric Lightning overdrive/boost, named after a fighter jet and packing a bona fide valve