Neck Pickup Cover replacement

[anthonyc007]

Has any tried to remove and replace the chrome metal cover plate over the single coil neck pickup? Does it cause any damage to replace the cover?

[Don]

Make sure you pull the tabs back far enough that they can't cut the coil when removing the cover. Also, make sure that you pull off the cover straight. The coils are exposed without the cover and the tabs have sharp edges on them.
I wrecked a pickup that way.

[anthonyc007]

It seems like there is A LOT of wax in there (between the cover and the wound wire. I don't think it will separate easily. Will it?

[Don]

The Seymour Duncan that I pulled apart came off pretty easily.
I don't know what a Fender pickup would be like.

When I removed the cover on the bridge pickup on my Les Paul I heated the pickup up in the oven at 170 degrees F for a few minutes. That might not be a great idea, but it worked well.

[anthonyc007]

Actually, this is a Seymor Duncan also. It is not so easy. A lot of wax. I'll try heating it up.

[photoweborama]

The wax is to keep the pickups from squeeling. It keeps the wire and other stuff from vibrading and causing feed back.

[Bongolation]

Does it cause any damage to replace the cover?

There's a pretty fair probability you'll break a fine coil lead screwing around with it, at least.

Unless there's some huge, compelling reason to do this (and I can't think of one), I'd suggest leaving it alone.

If it's not broke...well, you know the rest.