Covered goodness

I only have good things to say about the Seymour Duncan JB & '59. However, I don't fancy gold covers but on that note, these covers did something to tone. I'm not about to unleash dichotomy here by saying pickup covers are doing some magic when it comes to tone but the JB, being one of the raunchiest humbucker when it comes to midrange performance, somehow sounds very smooth here. The '59 also has its vintage livery a little souped up when it comes to contemporary overdriven tones. I do not wish to look too much into those covers doing their thing but rest in the knowledge that there might be other possible contributors to this difference I hear in the mean time. 

Gold covers

I've been giving this guitar some TLC & it received a new pair of pickups plus some other minor changes. This is my Gibson LP Studio Premium Plus which made it to Davis GMC somehow, 21 years ago. I remember them telling me they have just displayed the guitar before I walked into the store & bought it on the spot. No questions asked.

The main highlight here are the new pickups in this guitar; a pair of Gibson 490 humbuckers. These were originally uncovered, double black units. I purchased a pair of gold covers to match the other gold hardware of the instrument. As you can see above, these are simply add ons, no extra wax potting were done, the covers were not soldered to the base plate as well. It's a tight fit but still allows pickup height adjustments. 

The strap buttons are now a pair of Dunlops. These are significantly bigger than the original buttons equipped by the manufacturer. I encourage LP owners to do this swap as we read horror stories of how straps gave way during movements on stage resulting in countless broken Gibson headstocks. I just wish Dunlop would supplement gold screws with their gold buttons. The one depicted here is the original screw that had been polished & showing its true nature; a chrome finish. 

The truss rod cover was also replaced with a black version so it looks flushed against the headstock. If you know me by now, I dislike the cover displaying the guitar's model. It adds some expectations relating to the guitar's performance which should not be the case to begin with. A fresh set of Harmony strings this time round. 

JB/J

 

The Seymour Duncan JB/Jazz pair, seen here in gold covers, are simply... the JB & Jazz goodness. If you wish for clarity & some tasteful brashness, the JB has those. The jazz is the proverbial neck pickup that does cleans & drive well despite its name. Yes you can do jazz along the way as well, no surprises there. I don't fancy gold covers but it fits into the vibe of this guitar. Another good tone day for me.