P.A.F. Humbucker Pickups: How to Change the Cover and Magnet (Tone Hack!)

[@edwhite7475]

ive been taking the covers off since the 70's, and i never knew about the razor blade trick- Thank you for teaching an old dog a new trick.

[@80smxpro41]

One of the most thorough videos I've seen. I wish everyone would do this. Thanks 👍

[@stuarthossack7906]

One of my favourite channels - with or without a beer (preferably with) - relaxing, entertaining and educational. Thanks.

[@dougmaia]

I did this exactly a couple weeks ago and I loved the results. The way you go through it step by step is awesome Jon. I have a request, please make a video on different magnets including your impressions for each. Long vs short, oriented vs unoriented, how they impact the character of the same pickup. Maybe like you did with the brass vs stainless steel base plate screws? That would be epic! Keep it up Jon, we love your videos. Greetings from Burst Lovers!

[@ThroBakChannel]

Great idea!

[@212sean]

I second that. Would love a magnet comparison.

[@markwright9352]

ThroBak Guitar Lounge that’s wot I was going to ask about doing a video on different alnico magnets!!!

[@Ludus4H1]

Yeah, I'm fan of ceramics but would like to see comparison of AlNiCo 4, 5, 8 with ceramics, all on same bobins, it would be great experience! Please...

[@marktyson2001]

Thanks Jon! Very informative. I think I’m on of the ones that ask you about changing magnets a few years ago. Looking forward to my new, aged Throbak pickup covers and other aged parts. BTW....miss the regular Throbak Thursday’s!

[@patricksoete309]

Thanks for this video! I have a very nice Throback pg-102 pickup set that a bought from a friend. Sounds amazing in the neck and bridge position!!!! The out of phase middle position is not really my thing though. Now I know how to flip the magnet in the neck pickup! Ofcours being very carefully 😊 I don't wanna mess up these brilliant pickups. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge! We love Throbak and their support!

[@pursuittwofivefive5666]

very helpful with excellent detail

[@ALtheDoctorWho]

In the early 70s I fooled around with pickups. Back then it was hard to come across parts for pickups. You had to canabalize another pickup. Wax potting came around shortly after. At the time I did not pay much attention to the effect it had on the pickup. People just took the covers off. However The few covers I reinstalled did not have any Issues. I like the Idea of using minimal amount of silicone. I would not want to deaden the pickups natural harmonics more then necessary.Thank you very much for posting this video Jon.

[@taggmanibanez]

You should do a video on the difference physically and magnetically between vintage magnets and modern ones, Thanks, I'm fascinated by this stuff.

[@randomuser48737]

The difference is in the wire winding and in the percentage of aluminium, nickel, and cobalt in the magnet, you can find books that explain everything, i have 4 books about guitars and amps

[@jean-philippemorin1176]

I have done it and damaged the wires on a pickup once. So be careful to not touch the coil wires or connections with the base plate. Do not force things when moving the back plate to remove the magnet

[@DavidSmith-ne1zp]

Thanks for great tips and detailed explanations.

[@svajesz]

I watched this video a lot of times. One of my favorite. I'm just thinking at what RPM does the winding machine work? Does the speed can make different on the soud? Higher speed does make tighter the winding on the bobbin? Thanx for answering, TB the best! 🤘

[@Dang...]

Great video Jon, thanks! Very informative and clear. So nice of you to share your expertise.

[@MrBluzhound]

Thanks for the great detail, Jon. The kz115’s in my R8 are about to lose the stock A2’s in favor or an A4n/UOA5 bridge experiment!

[@Ludus4H1]

Saw demo with your high output PU... nice sound. Please include in your videos caption title, it's then more descriptive

[@monkeyfinger7949]

Super great look into pickup construction. As a Joe Handy tech geek, I was glued to the screen (I love this kind of stuff). I have a question. Once I tried to adjust the pole pieces on a potted pickup (came with no cover). It immediately started squealing where the was no squealing before. My point being, once the potting is disturbed, 'things change'. So, if you wish to loosen bobbin screws, or remove a potted magnet, should you repot the pickup?

[@mauronaviglio]

Thank you so much, clear and comprehensive explanation

[@gittarfin]

So maybe I missed the explanation, but are the new magnets stronger, and dies that make the pick up hotter?

[@underworld3721]

In the weeks ahead I' am going to install some magnets that are Alnico V. Epiphone Les Paul Custom has Pro- Buckers now; I will install Alnico no.V. My hope is to make the pickup a bit hotter. Great video ThroBak; ***** tooltips

[@burstcasino]

Love the video. Love the info. Love to tinker... Thanks

[@edmal2603]

Can you add a magnet on the bottom plate adding to the original magnet?

[@ResoBridge]

I'm trying to see if I can improve my old Korean built Epiphone Sheraton, one of the guitars that had the stickers on the pickups that said US designed Alnico pickups. But this requires a beast of a soldering iron. My 50W Weller bench iron has never been defeated before and even my 100W solder gun wont do it (and yes I was a bit worried about the radiated AC field from the gun perhaps degaussing the magnets). I guess I'll have to buy a new large iron.

[@jtr80303]

Great video Jon, I swapped a gold cover for a silver and now have loud feedback if I touch the cover with a hand, finger, any ideas?

[@lousimpson3070]

Very informative and thank you...wish your pickups were more affordable though..

[@ran-diy-audio]

Hi, Is there a way to remove the wax with a solvent?

[@mkguitarproject]

Thanks for the video. I've just bought a new Epiphone with Custombuckers. The pole for the low E string can't be set flush with the cover, I can only turn it to go higher from a position that is already high. Do you have any clue about what might be preventing this pole from going flush with the cover? I've removed the pole and put it back there, I was suspecting that it could be a misalignment, but it wasn't. There wasn't anything blocking the screw in the cavity either.

[@zrodanen2]

Thank you very much. That's what I needed to know.

[@rolandosoto4545]

Where do I get a list of tools need to do pick up work and make my own as well

[@petkopeet]

Can I change humbucker polepiece screws without rewaxing pups? Do I need to dip new screws in wax before installing?

[@rolandosoto4545]

Nice videos thanks great information. Very informative

[@chrstopherthomas6952]

Thank you

[@ShaneMcCrae]

Good video, Jon. Thanks. Is there a video that addresses and/or compares magnets so people will know why you might change one?

[@ThroBakChannel]

There is a Doug and Pat video that compares A2, A4 and A5 in the same ThroBak KZ-115 pickups in the same Les Paul.

[@chuckhurlocker2180]

Enlightening

[@LPCustom3]

Hi Jon! Greetings from Mannheim! Nice video, is there a difference sonically with the smooth side down or rough side down on the magnet to the base plate?

[@ThroBakChannel]

I don’t think there is a difference.

[@trueworld3857]

Just use a solder sucker to get rid of the solder after you heat it.

[@markburdette6176]

Where can I find trim pieces that fill the gap between pick-up and rings on a Les Paul Classic?

[@frankschrodinger1424]

So if you're not playing high gain you can just skip the silicone/masking tape on the slugs and just skip straight to soldering the cover.on?

[@famicomical]

Thanks for the video. Any idea where i can get a similar gauss meter?

[@hgostos]

Thanks for the video. I wonder if I flip the magnet of a bridge unit (ie north screw side) and keep thje neck straight, I'd get the same Peter Green out of phase tone in the middle. Most people flip the magnet in the neck unit but I'm not sure why it'd make a difference... John??

[@ThroBakChannel]

Flipping just the bridge pickup magnet will also make the middle position out of phase.

[@audiquattros6]

Hi Jon, I enjoy your videos - very helpful and informative. I have a question regarding the Peter Green mod which makes it out of phase in the Middle position. But does reversing the magnet actually change the sound of the neck pickup when used alone in the Rhythm position?

[@ThroBakChannel]

There is no effect on the neck pickup. The magnet flip only impacts the middle position tone.

[@audiquattros6]

ThroBak Guitar Lounge Great! Will definitely give it a try. Thank you, from Japan!

[@benjohnson4810]

I was wondering if there is a difference in sound between out of phase wiring and magnet flipping? I trust your knowledge.

[@ThroBakChannel]

I have tried both methods and if there is a difference it is very subtle.

[@benjohnson4810]

@@ThroBakChannel Thank you. I have my guitar wired out of phase and like it.

[@11calman]

Hi from New Zealand,,,,,,,,,,,, Mate this is so informative, I'm not sure if I would do this to my pickups, but I must say-- you made it look pretty easy, I would liked to have seen the Magnet measure after you put the new one in (the old one was 66),,,,,,,Keep these coming,, they are extremely interesting,,,, "Oh by the way" Who won your "ThroBack Pick-up giveaway",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,regards'''''''''''''''''''''''Gib

[@ThroBakChannel]

Thanks, the pickup giveaway winner was announced on the ThroBak Blog. You can find it on the ThroBak website.

[@jamesbielecki2938]

Hi Jon, Thanks so much for your highly detailed and informative videos! This one was of particular interest to me because I have a guitar with two humbucker pickups, where the neck pickup has the magnet oriented backwards (South pole to slugs) from the factory. I suppose that's an easy mistake to make if not paying attention. As I watched this video you noted that the narrow long edges that are against the keeper and spacer are the charged ends, which is what I thought. Some videos on KZbin (there's a lot of conflicting information out there!) also say that the long wide surfaces (against the base plate and underside of bobbins) have a charge and need to be oriented correctly. Is that correct? Do I need to be concerned with those surfaces when correcting the magnet placement in my pickup? I didn't think so initially and figured I'd double check with you before attempting this work after watching this video, since you obviously know these pickups inside and out, being a pickup manufacturer. Thanks again for taking taking time to make such great videos!

[@ThroBakChannel]

You don’t need to be concerned about polarity with those surfaces. Thanks for the comment.

[@guypoulin8454]

The squeeling problem is only made by the cover ? An uncover pickup never squeel ?

[@redroosterstudio]

Question: Why change the magnet again? Great videos:)

[@ericdraven3860]

Why are the poles on the pickup machined like that? I have a set of single coil pickups with pole heads like the ones in the video and I’m not sure what they came out of. Can anyone tell me the significance of the pole heads being machined with swirls in them?

[@ThroBakChannel]

Watch my video about PAF bobbins, slugs and covers. It actually shows our slugs being made.PAF Pickup Secrets: PAF Bobbins, Slugs and Covers - How it's Made kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZyTqpKwnd-ji68

[@Mark70609]

Not quite the same topic, but I noticed when I first adjust the PAF pickup screws, the screws are quite stiff, however on another pickup that has been adjusted many times the screws are quite loose. What is this due to and has any damage been done to the pickup?

[@ThroBakChannel]

The more the screws are adjusted the more the threads are freed up. This is normal.

[@bel-air8479]

Good video !!!!

[@goneflying140]

Hi Jon. Do you happen to know what magnets came in a 1966 patent number T top?

[@ThroBakChannel]

Short A2 or short A5. Could be either one. 1966 will be a pre-T-top.

[@goneflying140]

@@ThroBakChannel Then somebody switched out the pickups in this 66 SG and put patent # T tops in it... the pot date codes are 1376642. What was the cutoff year that they went to t-tops? Thank you!

[@joshuagersonh.llenos4469]

Is it safe to unscrew the pole screws all the way out? like remove it and replace another set of pole screws?

[@mtlmark75]

Yes. There are screws in the base plate that will hold the pickup together

[@kentuckywindage222]

Jon, I just ordered a Gibson SG faded 2018 with 490 open coil pickups and a maple neck. On sale , who could pass up a new sg for 600 plus tax ? 🤣😂 Anyway, l like the covered humbucker look. I kinda figure the covers may mellow some of the sound from the maple neck. What's your opinion? Any help appreciated. Great video by the way, new subscriber here! 🎶 Peace 🎶

[@ThroBakChannel]

Covers will take just a little bit of treble harshness away.

[@claudiospuskas985]

Hi everyone ,I was wondering if you could help me out here. I was planning to change the cover of my pickups ( Gibson Humbucker 490r e il 498t) in gold tone so I would need to change the Pole Screws too in the same colour. I bought Pole Bolts - Slot Head 5-40 x 18mm (imperial). Did I get the right POLE Screws or did I need to buy different ones? I am still waiting to receive the guitar with those pickups so I can not really tell but these pole screw looks a little too small to my eyes. I am not an expert so I was wondering if you could help me out Thanks!

[@ThroBakChannel]

5-40 x 3/4” is the correct size.

[@TheAxe4Ever]

I need some info. I hope you see my question. The magnets I want to swap out between two pickups are all polished, sides and top and bottom. I know about the polarity (north and south) on the long edges of the magnets (south to screw side). But does it matter top to bottom how the magnet is installed as long as the sides are installed with proper polarity? Thank you for any info you can give me.

[@ThroBakChannel]

I would place the polished side against the baseplate.

[@TheAxe4Ever]

ThroBak Guitar Lounge Thank you. It looked like it was polished on both sides. But I’ll double check.

[@martinhernandez1107]

Would anyone happen to know how to install open cover pickup covers?

[@ThroBakChannel]

An open cover is installed by pressing it flush to the bobbins and soldering it to the baseplate like you would a regular cover.

[@delosphoto]

Without a cover is it possible to change the top color of the humbucker? Can you remove, replace or paint it?

[@jeffersonpfeifer651]

Hi dude!!! Can I cover a staggered humbucker? Lol...That huge difference of high at the poles of the slugs...how to procede in this situation? Thanks pal!!!

[@ThroBakChannel]

I’m not sure I understand the question. The slug poles are always flat. The adjustable pole screws can be staggered as you like with or without the cover on.

[@jeffersonpfeifer651]

@@ThroBakChannel There is a model made by Seymour Duncan, the StagMag, and the slugs are staggered, I don't know if the cover would works with that model...

[@ThroBakChannel]

I’m not familiar with that pickup.

[@jeffersonpfeifer651]

@@ThroBakChannel OK, thanks!!

[@Deebz270]

@@jeffersonpfeifer651 - Use an open top cover. You maintain some screening to the sides of the coil, but the top remains unfettered. Either that, or use 12 hole covers.

[@kuitaristi3003]

Why you screw out those poles when you can just screw out a little those screws under the pickup and take magnet out? I think it's easier that way. My way to know how new magnet goes right way in is that, when old magnet is still inside the pickup, i put new magnet up on the pickup poles and if magnet goes right and left, it's right way. I think it's easy way to know if you don't have any tools to know polarity.

[@ThroBakChannel]

ThroBak makes a vintage PAF replica and that means the pole screws are threaded into the baseplate just like a vintage PAF. That means that you more often than not, need to back out the pole screws as well to release the magnet. Cheaper PAF pickups don’t have threaded baseplates, that is probably what you are familiar with. Having the vintage correct threaded baseplate means it takes longer to assemble the pickup but it gives a mechanically more solid assembly than the cheaper method of not having a threaded baseplate.

[@kuitaristi3003]

Well that was new thing for me to hear. Thanks! I have tried magnet swap with Duncan Seth Lovers, 59 set, Gibson 57, 490R and BB3 pickups for paf kind of.

[@lucifer666metal13gmo]

I change my cover from chrome to nickel Seems to have added a little noise why it’s that?

[@ThroBakChannel]

I would guess that the cover was not clamped properly when it was soldered on.

[@lucifer666metal13gmo]

@@ThroBakChannel thank you for the answering my question

[@wjamyers]

One small complaint. at 13:42 you show using an electric screwdriver to put pole screws back in, no word of ! CAUTION ! against over tightening (yes, this is OBVIOUS, durr the first one I did I was super careful, then i got cocky on the second one) nevertheless there's dummies out here like me that now need a new PAF base plate.

[@ThroBakChannel]

There is maybe more risk in using a regular screwdriver. When the pole screws are unscrewed this far out it is very easy to slip the screwdriver out of the slot and gouge the top of the bobbin or even gouge through the tape and ruining the coil. Either way you need to be extremely careful.

[@GibsonLesPaul2273]

I did this on my Les Paul and the middle position is now very quiet and flat sounding, it doesnt sound like it should, weird.

[@Dad-Gad]

You've got the Peter Green out of phase mod going on , turn both pickup volumes up full then roll the neck down , when it quacks , leave it !

[@GibsonLesPaul2273]

@@Dad-Gad I tried all of that, I then installed my old Gibson pickups with the magnet flipped and same flat tone. I have the pots wired the 50's way not the modern way but I dont think that should make a difference, Greens was likely the same 50s wiring.

[@jreagle58]

I tried soldering the pickup to a new cover and it just beaded up.

[@ThroBakChannel]

Try sanding the inside of the cover where you will solder. This will give the cover some tooth for the solder to stick to.

[@carlo1195]

Prototype ?? Wow...

[@docgify]

I do it all the time lol always I’m adventurous lol