Closed pickup covers in PRS SE? (pickup cover dimensions)

[Bambino]

It's a 2007 model. I'm frankly a bit confused with how you're supposed to measure the dimensions to fit the pickup cover. People are talking about 50mm spaces but when I look through most any humbucker-type pickup cover that Thomann's have to offer they measure up to 70mm.

(example: https://www.thomann.de/se/schaller_132n_pickup_cover_neck.htm?ref=search_rslt_pickup+covers_308186_1)

Is the 50 mm measurement referring to the distance between the strings, not the pickup cover itself?

I'm aiming to put some closed pickup covers on my guitar (these: https://www.thomann.de/se/schaller_144_pickup_gehaeuse_chrome.htm) and they also measure up to 70mm in lenght. I'm confused about whether these will fit my guitar!

 

[John Beef]

Humbuckers are all pretty much the same size as far as the bobbins are concerned. There are exceptions to that but for the most part, as far as fitting the insides of the covers, the bobbins should not interfere. When you put a cover on, generally they're talking about the distance between the center of each of the E string screw slugs, because that's the distance that varies the most. In the above diagram, these would be 49mm covers. That's pretty close to the original Gibson measurement of 49.2mm which was 1-15/16 inches. Other pickups can be 50mm, 52mm, and 53mm.

So, you need to measure the distance between the center of the slugs under your E strings. I have put covers on SE pickups in the past, older ones like yours, and I found that 52mm for the bridge pickup and 50mm for the neck pickup work perfectly.

 

[Bambino]

Thank you for the information! Buying closed pickup covers means I don't even really have to bother measuring between the bobbins, then? Seeing as there are no holes in the pickup covers. Can I just go with buying the ones in the second link provided they fit the pickup rings? I've no experience of how to put these things on, maybe I'd need to measure between the bobbins in order for them to fit even the closed pickups?

Someone tell me if there's been a misunderstanding

 

[shinksma]

If you are going to buy covers that don't even have holes, like your second link, you are right, you don't need to measure them (in general, but a check of overall dimensions would be a good idea just in case). But then, you also can never adjust them (and I think you would have to set each screw in so the top of the head is flush with the top of the bobbin so the cover fits well). i strongly suggest you get covers with the six holes for adjustable pole pieces, similar to what is in your first link. And in that case, measurements are vital to get it right.

 

[John Beef]

Yes, I believe if you buy the ones with no holes, you don't need to worry about the spacing. I would expect them to fit on there no problem unless they have some strange dimensions. I don't have a set to measure here right now but if you make sure they are no more than than the 70 x 38.5mm everything should be fine.

When I did it the 1st time I followed these instructions:

 

[Bambino]

Gotcha. Thank you guys, very helpful!

 

[Impervious]

Glad I found this post. I want to get sealed covers because I don’t want dust or my fingertips touching the windings of the pickups on my SE.

 

[Birdsofprey]

Glad I found this post. I want to get sealed covers because I don’t want dust or my fingertips touching the windings of the pickups on my SE.

Send an email out to whom you will be purchasing the covers from for a suggestion regarding the brand of pickups you'll be putting the covers on. If the covers are metal they will have to be soldered onto the se pickup (base). If you have no experience soldering let someone who has done it help or do it. As far as dust getting into the winding of your pickup I wouldn't worry to much about that as they are wrapped from the factory with protective cloth tape. Uncovered pickups have been used forever without much of an issue but if you like covers that's fine they change the look of a guitar and some people like that.Good luck and there's tons of good people with lots of various experience that can help you on this board.

 

[Impervious]

I wouldn't worry to much about that as they are wrapped from the factory with protective cloth tape.

Oh! I didn’t realize that the cloth tape was protective and not part of the electronic system. Once in a while a fingertip will come in contact with the tape during play. Maybe it’s not necessary to install sealed covers after all. Thanks!