Fitting covers to non-BKP pups - DIY?

[Twinfan]

I've just scored a used Les Paul copy and want to install some pickup covers.  Can I just buy covers and solder them on in a couple of places (like the old PAFs)?

Will I get squeal issues if I don't have them potted, or does that only apply to the coils?

[Philly Q]

You can just solder them on like you said, but make sure you get covers that will actually fit that brand of pickup - "standard" polepiece spacing seems to be anywhere between 48 and 50mm, depending on the manufacturer.  :?

And squeal could definitely be a problem, probably more so than with open-coil unpotted pickups - the cover itself will vibrate/resonate at certain frequencies.

[ToneMonkey]

You can pot pups yourself too.

[Twinfan]

Thanks Philly.  Thought that might be the case.  I'll measure up the pups when the guitar arrives, order some covers and see what happens.  I guess if I get problems I can see if someone can pot them for me.

Here's the guitar - a 1970-1972 Pearl Les Paul made by the same factory as the Ibanez lawsuit guitars (Matsumoku or Fujigen Gakki).  Set neck too, no bolts!  I'm going to get some chrome pickups covers and some witch hat knobs for that late 60s/early 70s vibe  :D

[Philly Q]

Cool, especially the set neck!  Dare I ask how much?

If you're keeping the Japanese pots, I've got a set of witch hats you can have if you like - I ordered them without confirming whether they were for US or metric pots.

[Twinfan]

Yep, I'll be keeping the Japanese pots.  I'm going to keep it original save for the knobs (which I'll keep) and replacing the lost original pickup covers.  Are your witch hat knobs the gold or silver insert type?  Do they say VOL or VOLUME?  PM me with the details and how much you want for them if you don't mind?  :)

The guitar, plus a new hard case, plus postage to me was £350 all in.  I've been after a guitar the same(ish) age as me for a while and this seemed too good to pass on.  I've done some digging and it certainly seems identical to an early seventies Ibanez Les Paul.  Got to be a good score at the price I paid?

[hunter]

Ha! The singer in my first band used to have one of those in black. Played like a dream, and was overall excellent, except for the fact that his strings were 2 years old and my fingers smelled bad for hours after playing it - which is why I stopped doing it  :shh:

[Twinfan]

Ha ha - thanks for that Hunter!

The bolt-on neck ones by Ibanez/Antaria etc crop up all over the place and go for £150 to £250.  The set necks are incredibly rare from this period so I think I got a good price.

Thanks to Phil for the offer of the the witch hats, and a PM has been despatched your way  ;)

[808]

That's a sweet looking axe bro!

[Twinfan]

Cheers Dude!  I thought so too, that's why I bought it!  Can't wait for it to arrive tomorrow here at work.  Might have to wait until I get home to open it though  :(

I reckon with silver top witch hats and chrome pickup covers it'll look the bomb  :D

[ToneMonkey]

Ha ha - thanks for that Hunter!

The bolt-on neck ones by Ibanez/Antaria etc crop up all over the place and go for £150 to £250.

I've got a Lawsuit firebird and it was free  :guitar4:

No hardware or pups though and it looks like it's had a hard life.  Been rebadged CSL.

I love it, but I've not played it yet (like my Patrick Eggle), it's nearly enough to make me cry  

[38thBeatle]

That is indeed a great looking guitar and it will look better with the covers for sure.

[sgmypod]

Is that from a certain guitar shop in Sheffield?

[Twinfan]

Yup - it is.  You seen it/played it?

[Kilby]

I may have a set of chrome humbucker covers from an Antoria SG (built in the late 70s I think)

If you want I can hunt them out (providing the wife hasn't thrown them out)