Custom Options

For all Sovereign pickups, there are a number of common options which you can choose from to either make the pickups closer in construction to those on the original Red Special, make a set your own with some subtle changes, or create a custom one-off set unique to you

Custom Engraving
Epoxy Neck Fill
Alternative Covers
Cosmetic Relic
Make Them Your Own

Custom Engraving

Fancy something other than the standard “YB / Sovereign” engraving on the cases?

Your name? A logo? A word or phrase that means something to you?

As long as it will fit, then I’m open to pretty much putting anything on there.

There are some exclusions though. For example, I won’t do things like Brian May’s name or signature, “BMG Super”, or anything overtly offensive or abusive.

This list is not exhaustive, so requirements will be discussed individually.

Epoxy Neck Fill

On the standard Sovereign set, I use a nickel base instead of a steel one on the neck pickup.

This is a straightforward way to lower the inductance of the pickup, which is what contributes to that “Out of Phase” sound that you can hear in the first solo of Bohemian Rhapsody.


Brian May encased his neck pickup with Araldite epoxy resin after removing the steel base, which is what reduced the inductance of the pickup in the original.

An upgrade to an epoxy-filled neck pickups is available as an option on Sovereign pickups if you want yours constructed in the same way as Brian’s originals.

The sound between a pickup with a nickel base against an epoxy filled case is pretty much the same – But sometimes you’ve just got to have it the same as the original…..

Alternative Covers

The standard covers on the Sovereign are the same material and finish as the original Tri-Sonic pickups – A silver chrome plated brass cover with six holes.

If you want something a little different, I offer a range of alternative cover styles to suit different projects and designs, and help you make your pickups truly your own.

These include;

  • Silver chromed brass without holes
  • Unplated brass with holes
  • Unplated brass without holes
  • Satin black
  • Gold chrome
  • Nickel chrome

Cosmetic Relic

Some people want to build or modify their Red Special to replicate a certain time period – with the usual eras for this tending to be the 70s, 80s or present day.

I offer the ability to have your covers ‘aged’ to a chosen time period.

In addition to ageing the covers, for the 70s and 80s you also have the option of gaffer tape inserts on the middle & bridge pickups, and exposed magnets on the neck pickup.

Of course, if you prefer, you can just have the standard textured rubber inserts on whatever era you choose.

Note that this is only ‘ageing’ of the covers – All other elements of the construction remain the same as the standard Sovereign set.

Make Them Your Own

Fancy something just a little different, or a complete one-off set?

Things I have done for previous customers include;

  • Overwound coils
  • Alnico magnets
  • Different pickup with RWRP
  • Brass mesh inserts
  • Custom engraved inserts

Drop me a message and let’s see what we can come up with….