Stephens Design PIckups - Stop squeal the easy way!

You will need some paper drafting tape, some silicone acrylic caulk in a tube, or Elmer's white glue. I use a two way custom made clamp you see in the video. To solder the cover closed you need about a 40-60 watt soldering iron, I use 2 different ones, a big iron for UN-soldering the covers and a Weller soldering station WESD51 set to 850 degrees Farenheit for cleanly soldering the cover closed. HEAT THE JOINT, DON'T HEAT THE SOLDER. TIN the tip before you solder or unsolder. A single edge razor blade works best for removing covers because it won't bend the edge of the cover and ruin it. As you can see in the video this pickup has coils that are extremely full, yet the razor blade slices through the molten solder and doesn't cut into the coils. When the cover is pulled off though, the remaining solder tore the tape a little bit as you see at the end of the video, so you have to be really careful. Pull the paper tape out of the cover and clean up the glue by scraping it off with the razor blade, or use acetone, or lacquer thinner to clean it off.

The silicone caulk will stabilize the top of the cover from vibrating over the slugs and the paper tape protects the pickup and also dampens the squeal. If you play big venues with big loud amps, though, you will really need to pot your pickups fully. The silicone method is for general uses and is a quick easy procedure to stop cover squeal and isn't messy like melting some wax in the cover first and is easily removed if you don't want it.

Dave Stephens

[RazvanCosti]

Probably the most practical and helpful and clear tutorial. Not one word spoken!

[cooldude]

Thanks!!! I ordered a set of cheap set of PAF's off ebay to do a peter green mod and when i put back together, wow did it squeal! I did your trick and its quiet at loud volumes now!

[soapboxearth]

Thanks for this demo. I bought a set of brandonwounds from the new owner after brandon went to gibson. The pole screws were loose in a bunch of poisitions. He offered a replacement set, but instead, i melted a bit of wax on the threads where they came out of the back plate. Snugged them up. I usually play at bedroom levels, but when i crank my amp in a small area, they squeal. I'll try this method with some painter's tape and silicone. Hopefully the covers are the culprits.

[johnbarber]

This man makes the Very Best PAF style pickups, if you can afford them.

[cc]

​Hello SDPickups. I purchased a set of Wizz pickups unpotted with covers off. I noticed on the covers it had a piece of tape in the similar spot that you had on your covers. Alexander from Wizz pickups to me if I'm going to install covers leave tape on to prevent any microphonic.

[jamesprice]

I use de-soldering wick, works for the tip! Gota 496T. Squealin just a tad on me thru my 80`s Dumble circuit!

[hasanabeee]

Beautiful video. Seriously wish this video would have been around when replacing my pickup covers a few months back.

I was desperately trying to save wax from the previous pickup cover like a novice.

Very rudimentary looking clamp system/work station, but that displays the professionalism happening here.

[gdaniel]

Thank You for this video . I have a Les Paul without covers and wanted to put some on . Out of all the videos on youtube this is the best one and the most informative . Thanks Again.

[JohnnyBGood-iikt]

Thanks for sharing some of your trade secrets, I'm going to do that right now. I've owned one set of your pickups and I have to say they were the best sounding PAF's I ever owned, bar none, I' would have some now but can't afford them now that I'm retired, but if I ever get the chance to get my hands on some again I'll jump on them at the right price.

[francissalva]

Dave, is there still a chance for the PAF to squeal even if the cover was soldered while clamping ( unpotted, no tape or wax applied under)

[NDWoj]

Hi....
Would electrical tape work? If the fit is snug, do you need a clamp? Thanks!

[gastonruiz]

Great video! Just one question, if you were to remove the pickup cover, would you be able to remove the silicone stuck to it easily?

[LAVENEL]

Hi, thanks a lot
Just a question. Silicone mastic and acrylic mastic are différent. Are the two working?
Is Neoprene glue working ?
For the tape, Painting paper tape?
Thanks
Cheers

[AllenPinchloaf]

What kind of tape is used and what glue? Why not wax pot it?