Pickup covers and the 7 string universe.

[RCI Guitars]

I got an inquiry today from a builder interested in a custom run of pickups.
The only problem I have is, the builder is doing custom 7 string guitars and wants covered pickups.
I have explored the pages of google trying to get some info and have not been able to find any makers of chrome, gold or black metal pickup covers that would fit over a seven string pickup.

Has anyone here on the forum had any experience with having them make or making them yourself?
I assume that this is done with a press over a positive/negative mold.

Any help?

[David Schwab]

Good luck finding covers. Just tell the guy that covers ruin the tone! (because they do)

[big_teee]

Good luck finding covers. Just tell the guy that covers ruin the tone! (because they do)

Another option, is a nice piece of pearl or tortoise pick guard material screwed to the top of it.
T

[RCI Guitars]

I think I found an option that the customer actually went crazy about...something different. Keep your eyes open for it. He is set on covered sets of humbuckers for his seven strings. He is willing to pay a little extra for this option, but it will make his models stand out...we hope.

[David King]

Custom wood covers are an option but they are a stinker to fabricate.
If you want to pursue the stamped metal we've had a few discussions recently that will really spell things out in detail. Search Thunderbird pickup covers and soldered covers along with jonson's pressed covers.

[restorationad]

Bareknuckle has ventured into making 7 string covers. I am betting they tooled up for this. However I am also betting they don't plan on selling them without pickups attached making them a very expensive solution.

[Ilya F.]

I contacted with Bareknuckle on this subject, but I received the answer that the cover are not sold separately.

[restorationad]

I contacted with Bareknuckle on this subject, but I received the answer that the cover are not sold separately.

That would be the responce I suspected. I think they went to great lengths to tool up for that. No reason to lose the cornered market.

Not saying I am happy with it... but it is a smart business decision on their part.

[RCI Guitars]

Yeah, I kinda figured they wouldn't. Its like when you call up one of the big boys and ask if you can buy some bobbins in fancy colors...they want nothing to do with it.
I'll figure out a way to make them...I have a friend with a large hydrolic press in his shop and I also know a very gifted tool and die maker that I am already talking to about it. He's going to make tooling for base plates as well. He also talks a lot of talk and makes a lot of promises...so fingers crossed

[restorationad]

Let us know how that goes. I would definetly be interested if you were able to produce covers even on a small scale.

[RCI Guitars]

Will do!! Actually visited the tool and die maker today... He was talking all kinds of crazyness!! He thinks we should try making covers for 8 string guitars being that they are becoming so darn popular. I think we need resources for 8 string bobbins first.

[big_teee]

Is there really that much demand for a 7 String pickup with a nickel cover?
Most 7 String guitars are more metal looking, and most players like that, don't care about a cover.
The only time I fool with 6 string covers, is for a LP or a guitar of that nature that looks unnatural without the cover.
If there is some high demand for the cover, might send an email to Tom at Mojo about sourcing it.
However that takes a few months to get them made.
T

[rjb]

Most 7 String guitars are more metal looking...

Like this?

[big_teee]

Like this?

Not Exactly!
T

[restorationad]

Will do!! Actually visited the tool and die maker today... He was talking all kinds of crazyness!! He thinks we should try making covers for 8 string guitars being that they are becoming so darn popular. I think we need resources for 8 string bobbins first.

So I have made some 8 string single coils for guys to match there BKP 8 string HBs. I used the bobbins from the BKP to do this... The 4 BKP Hbs I took apart have bobbins that look to be 6 string bobbins cut into 4 holes and glued together with pvc cement. The seams showed on 6 of hte 8 bobbins... it was kinda ugly in my mind.

I would love to have a 8 string pickup parts supplier but at this point I would be happy to get 7 string WSC bobbins in more colors than Black.