Chrome Soapbar Covers/Painting Pickups

[LKOdessa]

I have a project that requires the use of soapbar-sized humbuckers with chrome or nickel covers. There are multiple manufacturers that make humbuckers that fit in a soapbar route, DiMarzio, Duncan, Novak, EMG etc. The problem is none of them can provide a chrome cover. Likewise, there are plenty of chrome after market covers out there, but none of them are routed with 12 holes as required by the DiMarzios, or in the case of Duncan and Novak humbuckers, 6 off-center holes.

Does anyone know of any manufacturer that does make such pickups, or where I can get covers which would work with those pickups.

Alternatively, has anyone tried airbrushing a chrome finish onto plastic pickup covers? Does the finish stay on? does it look ok? Does it affect pickup performance in any way?

 

[Logrinn]

I wouldn't be surprised if Creamery can help you out.
There's a lot of custom options available and perhaps they have what you need:

 

[stratamania]

I believe Kinman also does P90 pickups with chrome covers as an option.

 

[bagman67]

There's also this product, which you could use to paint the more readily available black covers. 

http://alsacorp.com/killer-chrome/

It ain't cheap, though.  Not by a long shot. 

 

[LKOdessa]

Thanks, guys. The Kinmans, are unfortunately too thick for this guitar. I actually tried them, and while the bridge pickup fits, it leaves no room even for adjustment. The neck pickup doesn't fit at all. The body is fairly thin, so I don't want to deepen the route.

Creamery sounds like a good option. However, there is a notice on their website that the store has been taken down and will be back up at some point in October. I've emailed them, but haven't gotten a response.

That killer chrome looks interesting. Has anyone tried it on a pickup cover? Does it change the tone of the guitar at all?

 

[rgand]

There's also this product, which you could use to paint the more readily available black covers. 

http://alsacorp.com/killer-chrome/

It ain't cheap, though.  Not by a long shot.

Thanks for this link. I've needed this type of finish a couple times. I now have it bookmarked.

 

[stratamania]

I suppose if all else fails you could make a thicker body to accommodate the needed routs.

 

[Cagey]

Thanks, guys. The Kinmans, are unfortunately too thick for this guitar. I actually tried them, and while the bridge pickup fits, it leaves no room even for adjustment. The neck pickup doesn't fit at all. The body is fairly thin, so I don't want to deepen the route.

What kind of guitar is it? It seems unlikely Kinman would make pickups thicker than the vast majority of bodies. Depending on the type of guitar it is, which would tell what kind of neck/body joint it is, you may have plenty of room to route some more depth. Look at Strats. There's almost nothing between the pickup cavities and the vibrato spring chamber.

That killer chrome looks interesting. Has anyone tried it on a pickup cover? Does it change the tone of the guitar at all?

I haven't tried it, but they imply that it's micro-fine aluminum dust. If that's the case, you have nothing to worry about since it's non-ferrous.

 

[DarkPenguin]

There's also this product, which you could use to paint the more readily available black covers. 

http://alsacorp.com/killer-chrome/

It ain't cheap, though.  Not by a long shot.

OMG... http://alsacorp.com/kinetic-chrome/

 

[Sovereign_13]

That would be a cool look for someone interested in either a super psychedelic look or a more "industrial" look (it reminds me of zinc plating).

 

[pabloman]

I have a similar project. TV Jones has black and cream covers with no holes. I'm considering mounting a different pickup underneath one of these covers. You could also go with a mini humbucker and a soapbar adapter ring. I haven't found chrome covers with no holes though. Good luck ccasion14:

 

[stratamania]

P90s in Chrome covers are available from Harry Häussel.

http://www.haeussel.com/