Does a chrome pickup cover 'shield'?

[bassteban]

I read in bassplayer mag(in the article on 50s P-Basses)that the original single-coil pickup used the(PU)cover as a 'shield'(of sorts, I guess). Having just found that my newly-acquired 51 RI P-Bass is very susceptible to directional noise from lighting, I wonder if installing the as-yet-not-installed cover would have any effect. In the BP article, it was mentioned that the original P pickup had a grounding wire attached to the cover- mine does not(FWIW). Anyone have any experience w/this situation?

 

[Lyle Caldwell]

It will serve as a partial shield if it is connected to ground.

 

[bassteban]

It will serve as a partial shield if it is connected to ground.

But nothing if not grounded?

 

[Lyle Caldwell]

Nada.

 

[bassteban]

I see.