The covers aren't soldered on, I'm sure they're just new covers that got stuck on. This Japanese guitar frenzy is nuts. You really need a program to keep up with all the models and variances.
I find BOTB to be most informative. What other book has more info on the Les Paul and what makes it tic? Why the pups are what they are, explanations of the way the wood was cut, imprtance and significance of neck angles, etc.... Actually most of the owners of those guitars have very little...