Are Humbucker covers standardized (transferrable)?

[Hfan]

Hi Guys,

I have a set of Gibson Burstbuckers on a recently aquired CL deal VOS SG. The guitar has a slightly aged look to it including the pickup covers. I'd like to keep the covers but lose the Burstbuckers. Can I transfer the covers to other humbuckers?

Are the covers usually a standard size? I assume yes within the Gibson brand pickups but what about others like Duncans etc.

And if I can transfer them, I just have to desolder them, carefully remove and resolder on the new ones? I have no problems soldering.

Thanks much.

[murkat]

For the most part, yes.

If the spacing is the same, etc. (50mm)

[Feynman]

What about the wax? I'm just curious in case I ever decide the same thing. Wait, are burstbuckers not potted? I'll shut up now.

[Hfan]

What about the wax? I'm just curious in case I ever decide the same thing. Wait, are burstbuckers not potted? I'll shut up now.

Good question. I assume I'd melt some wax by desoldering the covers.

And thanks for the answer murkat.

The other option would be to age the covers on the new set. Really just need to dull them so they match what's on there now

[aknapp]

What Burstbucker models? You never know who might be interested in buying them!

[murkat]

What about the wax? I'm just curious in case I ever decide the same thing. Wait, are burstbuckers not potted? I'll shut up now.

the bobins are potted, then assembled.

A. place covered pup in a vice, covered not to mare the cover, just enough to hold it.

B. heat up the solder on the outside of cover at the solder area,

while a thin screw driver is in place between cover and bezel, near the solder joint.

C. when solder lets go, turn flat head screw driver slightly to part bezel and cover, let cool.

[Hfan]

What Burstbucker models? You never know who might be interested in buying them!

I don't know, I got a great deal on a 2007 Gibson CS SG Standard on CL (the one with the metal grovers and Les Paul truss rod cover). GC had an exclusive offering of these in 2005 and 2006, my 2007 might be a leftover. I had a 1960 LP SG as a kid in the 70s and this thing is like finding my old one but this one is better all around I'd say. One of these:

I read somewhere that it has Burstbuckers. Then I made the mistake of reading up on them and heard the hate, maybe influencing me some. It's funny that they almost hit some frequency that bothers me ...like a shrillness or something..

Some days I like them, other days they just seem lacking. And I'm not the type to go replacing pups willy nilly.

I also hesitate in molesting it's stockness and in spending any more money, Maybe I'll try tweaking my amp some, and play with the heights some more.

What about the wax? I'm just curious in case I ever decide the same thing. Wait, are burstbuckers not potted? I'll shut up now.

the bobins are potted, then assembled.

A. place covered pup in a vice, covered not to mare the cover, just enough to hold it.

B. heat up the solder on the outside of cover at the solder area,

while a thin screw driver is in place between cover and bezel, near the solder joint.

C. when solder lets go, turn flat head screw driver slightly to part bezel and cover, let cool.

Thanks again murkat, I don't have a vice, maybe a good excuse to get one. I was just going to use a solder sucker to remove most of the solder first. The twist of a screwdriver in the gap makes sense.

[murkat]

second gen burstbuckers.

the adjustment bobbin is hotter than the stud bobbin

chimey, almost raspy. nice ring tone when dialed in.

Great for the solid mahogany type guitars.

third gen came out in mid 2009.

adjustment bobbin is the cooler

stud bobbin is the hotter.

when the 3rd get was released, I was very surprised and liked.

the 3rd gen BB3 is a great pup, esp if you swap to a A2 mag.

[Disturber]

Dimarzios have different spacing than Duncan & Gibson HB's.

I have tried to use a pair of Ant covers on my Dimarzio's. The screws don't fit the holes on the low E strings properly. As the cover then aren't really sitting tight to the bobbin the pickups loses some oomph. I took the covers off last week and the guitar now drives the amp much better.

That is why I am looking for a pair of Dimarzio covers on the For Sale forum, (hint, hint). I guess I'll have to get them on Amazon or something. They are only 15 bucks a piece.

[Hfan]

I was playing it last night and it was ok, I mostly rolled down the tone some on the bridge pup, which is my main issue. I've adjusted the heights once or twice. In general, do the Burstbuckers like being close or far from the strings? Looking for a baseline to start at.

Really, I'd love to leave this stock if I can, the gear fund is depleted and I'm hesitant to rip into the neatly done control circuit. My mods always work but they ain't always pretty.

[Hfan]

Just an update and a thanks for the info. I was able to adjust the heights and poles to where I am happy with the Burstbuckers, they're not going anywhere. Thanks again.