Decorating a pickup

[Slink]

Any of you gents ever painted or engraved a pickup cover? I'm after using a stencil over a gold cover and was hoping for some pointers and tips.

[Mincer]

Re: Decorating a pickup

I'd never done this, but I'd be interested to know what your idea is.

[ArtieToo]

Re: Decorating a pickup

I've never done this either, but it's an interesting idea. I've got a set of Livewire Classic II humbuckers, in white, that I've thought about airbrushing since the day I first got them. (Several years ago.) I thought some mini-mural would be cool. Possibly a Don Quixote type theme.

[dzdandcunfsd]

Re: Decorating a pickup

I've seen some engraved covers that turned out nice (with a rotary tool). I think using a stencil on gold ones could turn out cool, if engraved deep enough and it'll be nickel/aluminum. Would be a nice contrast.

[Aceman]

Re: Decorating a pickup

Seymour digs engraving.

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Decorating a pickup

Painting on gold is out. If you are an experienced engraver, something tasteful and well done would be cool. If you're not, it will look like it fell off the back of a truck on the freeway. However, there are companies out there that do engraving and could duplicate your idea, but it will cost you a bunch more than you paid for both pups.

[MikeS]

Re: Decorating a pickup

I'd be worried about paint adhesion on any plated cover. Etching primers may not be compatible with the stencil, and sanding the plating to roughen it gets tedious along masked edges.

If you are an experienced engraver, something tasteful and well done would be cool. If you're not, it will look like it fell off the back of a truck on the freeway.

To be fair, there's an entire niche market of guitars based on that exact aesthetic.

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Decorating a pickup

To be fair, there's an entire niche market of guitars based on that exact aesthetic.

Yes, used/abused/vintage/relic whatever you want to call it. I don't think the op is asking about that.

[GuitarStv]

Re: Decorating a pickup

Go to town with some rhinestones, and vejazzle the hell out of that pickup!

[eclecticsynergy]

Re: Decorating a pickup

Greasygroove sells etched humbucker covers and will do custom designs. I think anyplace that does computer controlled laser engraving probably could accommodate you also.