This is bobsessed fault!

[Cagey]

If the cover is non-conductive, it's invisible to the pickup so it doesn't have any effect. On the other hand, metal covers will induce "eddy currents", which affect the magnetic field and in turn change coil impedances, which in turn affects frequency response and output levels. It sounds like a lot is going on, and there is, but most of it is remarkably small stuff. Thing is, even though it's small stuff it's discernable and that differentiates a guitar's sound, so we have to obsess over it. I think there's a law.

 

[BigSteve22]

So we're talking about the electrical currents induced in the metallic cover, either augmenting or attenuating the currents induced in the coils, because of the magnetic fields these eddy currents produce in the sheet metal? Seems it would be a mighty small effect considering the size of the metal cover as compared to that of the coil. The pickup coil only produces millivolts of electrical potential in response to the string's moving magnetic field, are we talking microvolts in the cover?

 

[Cagey]

Yeah, it's teeny-tiny. The effect it has on performance is subtle, but it is discernable. Back in the '70s, that was one of the first "big" mods everybody started doing - yanking pickup covers off humbuckers. Did two things - slightly brightened up the sound of a notoriously grungy pickup design, and for the high-gain guys, got rid of that eye-crossing ear-piercing squeal that came from the internal microphonic feedback. Then we learned to pot the pickups in wax to solidify them so they wouldn't vibrate and feed back, and you could have covers again if you wanted them. But, most guys didn't. You'll notice all the early aftermarket pickups from DiMarzio and Duncan were open-coil designs. Many still are, with covers being additional cost options.

 

[BigSteve22]

Yeah, I have a pair of early 80's vintage DiMarzio DP-103's, no covers, and still a tad muddy for my taste. I've come to really like SD's. That's why I'm loooking at the Stack for the neck pickup. If the secondary coil takes away a bit of the bite, maybe an open top would put a bit of it back? (Or maybe have the opposite effect!) Waiting to hear from them in that regard. Hoping the Stack might be available with the open top directly from them without having to put in a custom shop order. If not, Mojo Tone sells the open top covers, and they come with exclusive MOJO MAGIC!  :hello2:

 

[Cagey]

In the case of the stacked or side-by-side single coil sized humbuckers, you do have more "bite", but it's not so much from the lack of surrounding metal as it is that you don't get the "comb filter" effect from having the coils sense string movement from two different points on the string. It's what made the "Hot Rails" pickup so much fun when they first came out. You got the higher output and lack of hum inherent to the double coil noise cancelling design, but the close proximity of the pole pieces/coils allowed for the improved high end and articulation of a single coil. Best of both worlds.

 

[Axkoa]

Now you know what you need to do to it, Tonar? Relic it a bit  :headbang5

Just kidding, what a beautiful body.  :toothy10:

 

[Tonar8352]

Before and after. I did manage to relic the towel between the first picture a few years back and now.

Full frontal, 

 

[Axkoa]

That looks amazing Tonar. That open neck pickup really suits it. Also, what kind of switch tip is that?

 

[BigSteve22]

Very nice burst, beautiful work as always. Love that open top neck pickup. I'm thinking of retrofitting an SD Stack to an open top on an upcoming Tele build. IMHO, it looks so much better than the standard Tele neck pup.

 

[bagman67]

That looks amazing Tonar. That open neck pickup really suits it. Also, what kind of switch tip is that?

Rutgers makes a knurled steel switch tip.


http://www.ruttersguitars.com/site/mobile?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ruttersguitars.com%2FHot_Rod_Parts.html#2655


Spendy , but cool.

 

[Tonar8352]

Bagman is correct, I got that from Rutters. http://www.ruttersguitars.com/uploads/Steel_Switch_Tip_1.jpg

 

[stratamania]

Great job, classic with a je ne sais quoi quality...

 

[nullref]

That is one tasty tele!  :icon_thumright:

 

[ragamuffin]

A beautiful job, as always!