Greetings from Japan

[NightWinder]

I've heard that too, but don't know him and he doesnt answer emails, I kinda think he's not an internet savvy computer oriented type person maybe. His covers are the best I've seen, I wish I knew how he is doing them, what kind of press, I just bought a set of his covers off Ebay for way too much money to show to potential manufacturers. I just don't know how hard it would be to make them oneself or how to do it exactly, anyone got a clue?

Yeah, Its super easy. You need two sets. One for the holes, and one for the fold. Get yourself a punch. Speed can probably help, so look for a fast punch. A hydrolic punch will work, but you'll spend more time polishing out the quirks that come with a slow punch. Also shop around for material and if you want to be "vintage" correct so be it. I'd go for the thinner material myself for better transparency.
I'm not sure, but I think Lollar's covers are slightly thinner too. I suppose it would'nt hurt to ask him.

[SkinnyWire]

Yeah, Its super easy. You need two sets. One for the holes, and one for the fold. Get yourself a punch. Speed can probably help, so look for a fast punch. A hydrolic punch will work, but you'll spend more time polishing out the quirks that come with a slow punch. Also shop around for material and if you want to be "vintage" correct so be it. I'd go for the thinner material myself for better transparency.
I'm not sure, but I think Lollar's covers are slightly thinner too. I suppose it would'nt hurt to ask him.

I'm not sure I understand what you're describing here in terms of "fold". Are you saying one could get Holmes-like quality by punching and folding/soldering nickel sheet? Never thought of that, but it seems like it'd be difficult to get a really good finish at the corners.

I've read through some of the descriptions here on "deep drawing", but that seems to be full of it's own challenges too. Damned frustrating though having suppliers just shut down for one reason or another. I'm not a big fan of using covers to begin with, but if folks want them I'd like to provide the best quality I can.

[Montreux]

lists

Dear, Everybody

I'm still making price list and taking parts photos.
It took lots of time more than I expected. Even I woke up 3:00 am every day and working hard...
Please give me more time.
I will make sure to send information to everybody soon.

[chevalij]

Montreux,
Relax, we are waiting patiently

[NightWinder]

I'm not sure I understand what you're describing here in terms of "fold". Are you saying one could get Holmes-like quality by punching and folding/soldering nickel sheet? Never thought of that, but it seems like it'd be difficult to get a really good finish at the corners.

I've read through some of the descriptions here on "deep drawing", but that seems to be full of it's own challenges too. Damned frustrating though having suppliers just shut down for one reason or another. I'm not a big fan of using covers to begin with, but if folks want them I'd like to provide the best quality I can.

No soldering. If you've read the Deep drawing thread thats the basic principle....Plain and simple. The holes need to be punched befor the "fold". Well, Now we have issues with time/$$$ when your making your own stuff, but yes I know you can make better covers. I'm still learning too : )
Jump into it dude, it may take some time, shit you may have to walk away from it for a few months too but getting it off the ground and moving is the first step.

[chevalij]

Why would you punch before the fold? It would make sense to do it later and eliminate any distortion that could be caused by the fold....

No soldering. If you've read the Deep drawing thread thats the basic principle....Plain and simple. The holes need to be punched befor the "fold". Well, Now we have issues with time/$$$ when your making your own stuff, but yes I know you can make better covers. I'm still learning too : )
Jump into it dude, it may take some time, shit you may have to walk away from it for a few months too but getting it off the ground and moving is the first step.

[Possum]

easy?

Wade thanks for the card by the way.

Easy? I think not, I remember Andy C. when he got his company into trying to make their own covers, I think he tore out all his hair in the process, I'm not so sure they are making their own covers or shopped them out of Korea or some place that already makes them.

If you're making yours maybe you could take some photos of the die and your press, I'd be interested in learning to do this, but don't want to repeat my experience with the lathe project :-) and spend a bunch of money only to find out I can't really do what I want to do. BTW I got the Holmes covers from Ebay today in the mail, they are faultless, crisp edged, just super nice, totally flat on all sides. If Tom is making his own I would think anyone could also, but don't forget that Tom worked in that industry and knows that stuff inside and out.....me about all I know is how to use a garlic press real well :-)

[Possum]

aged covers....interesting..

I wonder where these guys are getting these aged covers from, no coppper preplating, I don't like the faked string marks but price isn't too horrible if a customer wanted to pay the price
http://www.rsguitarworks.net/rsstore...=128&language=

[WolfeMacleod]

I wonder where these guys are getting these aged covers from, no coppper preplating, I don't like the faked string marks but price isn't too horrible if a customer wanted to pay the price
http://www.rsguitarworks.net/rsstore...=128&language=

RS does thier own aging. I know 'em pretty well.

[Zhangliqun]

RS aged covers look good but they're pricey. I have offered them as an option but no takers so far because of the extra $20-25 they add to the price of a humbucker. Haven't had much luck learning to do my own aging, can't seem to get it right.

[Possum]

...........

Yes but WHAT covers are they aging? No copper preplate, its not anything we have access to, maybe Montreaux will save the day........at least til I figure out how to make my own :-)

[Spence]

I sometimes wonder what this fascination with stripes is. Some humbucker covers go beyond that stage where the striping gets worn off too. I prefer that look myself. In any case, not many people get it right as in this case. These R.S. covers started off nice until they did the stripes. They look fake and pretty amateur.

[Possum]

Amen.....

Yeah I think the same, the stripes thing looks stupid and have never seen one done that looked real. Tom HOlmes does nice aged covers, basically a raw nickel silver cover, oxidized some and oxidized screw poles, what else do you really need? Go look on the Les Paul forum and look at the gallery, all those cool old guitars just have dull grey covers without the stripey thing, a classic look I really like....

[Spence]

The stripey thing looks really crap when done with sandpaper. That's my personal favourite thing to laugh at with PAF repro's.

[David Schwab]

The stripey thing looks really crap when done with sandpaper. That's my personal favourite thing to laugh at with PAF repro's.

How about putting a guitar string on a lathe or something and spin it while holding the covers against it?