Question about Chi-Sonics

[Sam Pajanna]

Hello everyone, this is my first post. I have a question about Chi-Sonic pickups. I have bought a bass that the seller stated had a Chi-Sonic pickup. Upon examining it I realized that the pickup cover is entirely made of plastic,which could be ok but for some reason I expected metal. Can anyone with real Chi-Sonics let me know if this is kosher or not? Greatly appreciated.

 

[Sam Pajanna]

Anybody?

 

[40Hz]

Hi! And welcome to TB.

More on ChiSonics here.

Why not just email them and ask?

Nothing wrong with plastic pickup covers btw. There's tons of bass pups with plastic covers. Lots more than pups that have metal covers.

Whether or not the alleged ChiSonics you're looking at should have metal covers is something the maker should be able to clear up for you.

 

[ek1949]

I would imagine that Chisonics have plastic covers instead of metal covers because it's better than no cover, it shields the delicate parts while not interfering with the sound. If I wanted to make a superior single coil pickup with a distinctive full sound, like a bass version of the plastic covered P90, I'd look to the Hagstrom Bisonic with about an acre of plastic with a metal ring, which happens to be the inspiration for the Hanson design. The Hanson website says "classic Swedish bass pickups built in the 1960’s".

 

[Sam Pajanna]

Just for the record, I got this response from Hanson Pickups
"Hi Tom
CS covers are metal plated plastic, resin epoxy filled with a copper shield on the back. The shielding is to ground the metal plating in the covers.
Bo"