How to cover a set of non-covered Mules : waxpotting needed ?

[copernic304]

Hi,

I am currently considering the purchase of a used set of Mules pickups. The thing is that they were bought uncovered, and i'd like to put nickel covers on them for my les paul R8.

Should I waxpot the pickups before installing the covers ? How should I do that ?

[darkbluemurder]

If the pickups are not microphonic without the covers there is no reason to pot them. However, just putting on the cover could cause squeal by itself. You should wax the cover before putting it on the pickup. The normal procedure for that is to tape the top of the pickup cover, heat the cover and the wax (if you don't heat the cover the wax will dry immediately), pour in a little bit of wax (only very little - we only want to prevent the cover from squealing, not to pot the pickup), press in the pickup (WARNING: use gloves and safety glasses!), let it cool and solder the cover to the base plate.   

Cheers Stephan

[copernic304]

Thanks !!

How about using a bit of silicon like in that video ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp7hAqmzecA

If I use candle wax, won't it be too fluid and fill the whole surface, and cause problems with the pole piece screws ?

And at last, will original gibson covers fit perfectly ?

[Sifu Ben]

If you're in the UK, just get BKP to do it for you.

[copernic304]

And if i'm not (i'm in france), can i do it too - even though i'm not the original purchaser of the pups ? how much would it cost ?

[BigB]

And if i'm not (i'm in france), can i do it too - even though i'm not the original purchaser of the pups ? how much would it cost ?

AskTim(tm).

[monkey8911]

+1 on Stephans method, thats how I do it as well, always works.
Canīt mess it up!