HSS Humbucker: To cover or uncover?

[Silverman]

The current trend seems to be a covered HB, which I think looks pretty dope. I like that it lends the guitar a hint of garage-customization. I've never been in a position to compare whether or not doing so has an effect on sound, so its never been a factor for me.

Which do you prefer?

 

[Bladesg]

Covered. Always…. Unless you’re a goober

 

[StratUp]

On a Strat, combined with singles, uncovered.

 

[Telecaster582]

On a strat, uncovered, with an LP, covered. Tele, depends.

 

[Papa Legba]

I agree with the above post. On a Strat uncovered.

 

[Triple Jim]

When I put together an HH Strat-like guitar I chose uncovered, because the covers tend to take away a little treble. I can use the tone controls if I want less treble.

 

[StratUp]

When I put together an HH Strat-like guitar I chose uncovered, because the covers tend to take away a little treble. I can use the tone controls if I want less treble.

FWIW, you can usually find plastic covers if you want to avoid any potential tone changes.

 

[White Dog]

Yep...uncovered on a Stratocaster.

 

[nickmsmith]

Uncovered on a Strat. Covered on a Les Paul. HBs are dark enough for a strat uncovered.

 

[jimrockcity]

Yeah, I don't get the sudden trend for covered (metal) Humbucker and two plastic white single coils. Just looks weird to me.

 

[fuksman]

covered.
from practical standpoint giant gaps collecting dust are just nasty.
aesthetically, covers add personality and sex appeal.
covered covered covered.

 

[jvin248]

.

Uncovered if you like noise.
Covered if you like to hear the music.

And for F Sake! Swap out those two wires to the jack for a proper shielded cable for the same reason you use shielded cable from the guitar to the amp.

.

 

[skysc]

Uncovered on any Strat for sure , especially if its HSS routing .

On my Les paul standard , the chrome/nickel covers are perfect .

I just modded a Performer strat to HSS config and it was was not a no brainer for me . The Duncan SH-6 is open .

I guess its all the years of seeing HSS Strat uncovered that make it "weirder"

Something is off with the player plus . 1 covered and the others with white covers ?? nah !!

 

[Sixstringer107]

My Blacktop HH Strat had covers, I took them off because I thought they looked to gaudy on a Strat. It has SDs now.

 

[StratUp]

covered.
from practical standpoint giant gaps collecting dust are just nasty.
aesthetically, covers add personality and sex appeal.
covered covered covered.
View attachment 549141

I'd put a chrome cover over the Middle pickup on that.

 

[Straddled]

This is Fender's doing. Mexi body, I think, someone enlighten me.

The covered PAF and Floyd Rose looks exactly the way many guitars were modded back then, to a T.

There was an absolutely legendary teacher/player here a while back, I played bass in a college band for him, anyway, his '65 Strat Sunburst had a Floyd in it, that he had done, and forever having to apologize about it...

 

[Straddled]

More detail shots of the body, I'm not sure what they called it.

 

[Robonarc]

Uncovered on a Strat. Covered on a Gibson.

 

[jjaaam]

On a Strat, combined with singles, uncovered.

This.

 

[jjaaam]

Uncovered on a Strat. Covered on a Gibson.

This again.

But uncovered also looks good on a Les Paul.