Casino pickup covers

Nickel Silver or Chromed Plastic is the way to go and both can be found on Ebay. Just make certain you get the correct size.

In my case the problem was not finding the covers but rather removing the old ones which are soldered in place by an alloy I cannot melt even with a butane torch.

To say they're difficult to remove would be a world class understatement. Paruwi was able to liberate his with an electric saw or grinder which I don't own and others have also been able to cut them away but none of my tools are up to it.

I have an expert luthier near me and in the end it will be up to him to free those covers so I can replace them with a pair of nickel silver ones.

 

A sharp razor blade and a lot of pressure can cut through solder.

 

I have tried with every tool I own including a box cutter and while I can score the solder I can't remove it. Wish one of you whose had more success lived nearby and could take a shot.

 

Well it may not be soldered but welded in some strange way. In which case buying a Proxon or Dremel (or a cheap copy when this is the only reason to have one) with a little (diamond?) cutting wheel may be the right way.

Additional tip: Don't hold the PU in a hand when cutting. IMHO it's too dangerous. Use other means to hold it like a vice or (water pump) pliers, with some sort of lining if you want to keep the old covers usable.

 

If you do go with a Dremel, I'd advise taking it very slowly. Partly so as to not overheat things and also for the sake of precision.

Completely agree.

 

I haven't tried it, but I would be concerned that using a Dremel or other cutting device runs a risk of throwing metal particles into the coils which can cause catastrophic failure.

 

It would actually be cheaper and more efficient to just have a luthier whose worked on some of my stuff before remove them. I no longer have the need for a Dremel rig but I'm sure Ed has one and whatever tools he needs to get it done.

I took my best shots at removing them and failed so now it's time to let a real pro go to work on it. No shame in that.

 

Many coils are encased in a sort of duct tape. And if not, you may be able to tape it yourself to protect it. The coil wire is isolated, so the metal particles must be flying fast enough to damage the isolation - which may be the case in a steady rain of particles?

 

There definitely is that risk. As much as I love my Dremel, it would be below an outright pickup swap in this instance.

Although, the O.P. hasn't given us a reason he thinks the covers need to be changed in the first place. Sometimes it's actually best to leave well enough alone.

 

double post.

 

I've been looking at my Wildkat and those covers are zinc/aluminum alloy I believe. I don't mind the appearance on mine, but on a Casino I might feel differently.