About Pickup Covers

by Chris
(NJ)

Hi I was wondering what effect various pickup covers have on the output of pickups both single coil and humbucking. For example holed vs. solid, or the various materials they're made from. Thank You.

ANSWER

Hi, Chris--

In general, the cover will reduce the output of both kinds of pickups. The holes is single coil covers allow the pickup to better detect the vibrations of the strings. Covering the poles reduces this ability. Humbuckers will have better output if the screws are exposed.

Both kinds have more output with no covers. One exception is ACTIVE pickups--EMG for example. These pickups are more sensitive and have a higher output so the covers do not affect them as much.

Plastic will not shield the pickup from magnetic influences and metal will.

Hope this helps--

Lynne