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Aged Nickel Covers

honduras

Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2003
Messages
81
One of my considerations in choosing a PAF clone is the quality of the aged covers. I realise this has no real effect on the tone of the pickup but it has to look realistic in my nicely ageing 99 R9. I had a set of Antiquities which had nice ageing (sold them and wish I hadn't).Can I please have opinions on the following:
Rolphs
RS Fralins
Voodoo
WCR

According to WCR's website they provide unplated nickel silver covers.Does this mean they are aged looking (ie not shiny)?

Finally, in the event I decide to buy Seth Lovers or Lollar Imperials which don't have an aged cover optionwhat is the most convincing (and straightforward) way to age a cover?
 

Gold Tone

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 2, 2002
Messages
6,825
Dave's has DMC covers for $39 a pair. These are REAL nice!! They are German nickel silver like origional 50's, NOT plated as 50's weren't, squarish edges and corners like 50's, thinner like 50's.

So...some say yes, some say no.....they can have an effect on tone. At the least they look JUST LIKE orgional 50's and continue to age like the old ones did. VERY cool!!

And a bargain!

Hit the "parts" tab at the top of the link. The covers are at the top of that page linked to a pic.

http://www.davesguitar.com/products.html?13256
 

nwobhm

New member
Joined
Apr 29, 2005
Messages
272
Wolfetone's got the LEGEND which is an aged PAF replica with aged DMC covers. I haven't heard them but, he made me a set with old 54' p-90 mags that are incredible sounding. I heard they were paying 800.00 in Japan for them through Fernandes. I think there 150.00 on his website..
 

Hamerfan

Active member
Joined
Dec 20, 2004
Messages
791
In theory covers made of or plated with ferrous metals (like nickel, steel or cobalt) are flattening the resonance frequency of a pup. The strength of the resonance frequency of a pup makes the characteristic sound. So German silver covers vary from 15 to 25 percent nickel (the other materials are copper and zinc which do not influence the magnetic flux) so this may influence the sound.
You can only tell by trying out: with or without cover.
 

Werloc

Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2004
Messages
714
Do them yourself. I did mine. :biggrin:

06.jpg
 

aimr75

New member
Joined
Sep 10, 2003
Messages
993
nice Werloc!

What method did you use to achieve that?

i'm thinking of aging a tailpiece
 

Werloc

Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2004
Messages
714
Thanks guys... :)
I Started with new nickel covers.
1.) Lightly scuffed off the shine with 0000 steel wool. Also made the lines between pole pieces that are parallel with the strings.
2.) Used the muriatic acid fume age method for 1 hour.
3.) Washed in water.
4.) Did some detail work with Etchant solution on covers, and pole screws using a cotton Q-tip.
5.) Washed in water.
6.) Resodered the covers on.

Be very carefull with both solutions. The Etchant solution works extremly fast. Have a cup of water next to you or running water to apply solution then rinse in seconds with the water. I did the Etchant solution after due to the very consistant aged finish the muriatic acid left. I wanted them to be inconsistant, more natural looking. ;)
 
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