Do only PRS make smart, uncovered humbuckers?

P

P-Ride

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So, the general consensus is that uncovered humbuckers are slightly more 'raw'.

As much as I value aesthetics and would like smart nickel, or brushed chrome covers, I can't prioritise that over my tone.

It's a shame then, that no-one seems to put any effort into making uncovered humbuckers look like anything other than, well, uncovered humbuckers; with round edges, gaps between them and ribbon showing that collects fluff. Even the odd bare wire visible!

Also, most manufactures use the same shiny, cheap-looking plastic bobbins that pick up scratches easily.

Credit to PRS for making some effort with their square-edged pickups and matt finish:

ACC_Pickup_59-09_LG_large.jpg

Even the option for black pole-pieces on some Seymour Duncan humbuckers helps; they just look a little smarter, in some guitars.

But some effort to make a plastic casing that doesn't leave gaps and ribbon, would be welcome.
 
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Re: Do only PRS make smart, uncovered humbuckers?

Lace dually? EMGs? PATB?

At varying points Fender and Gibson both made epoxy coated pickups (see the Lead series and... Was it the Marauder? Fender Japan also had humbuckers with unitized construction for a period, and G&L had encased soap at mfd humbuckers. All fell by the wayside for one reason or another. I'm also not sure why no one (company or individual) ever looked at a humbucker and felt it was ugly enough to "improve."
 
Re: Do only PRS make smart, uncovered humbuckers?

Many companies have. I think the prevailing trends have stuck because of the guitarists' attachment to vintage looks. Generally, if it doesn't look like it was on the iconic guitars of yesteryear, it is a hard sell (although sometimes a great idea- I like the matte bobbins).
 
Re: Do only PRS make smart, uncovered humbuckers?

Interchangeable parts.

It's nice to have standardized covers, mounting rings, magnets, etc., that will work with all "standard" size humbuckers.

PRS wants you to stick with their pickups and not mix them Duncans or Dimarzios or Gibsons.

I'm not in favor of that.

One of the few ways that I'm a bit conservative.
 
Do only PRS make smart, uncovered humbuckers?

I have to say I am not even a fan of those - humbuckers always look better covered, but if I was to choose uncovered, I like zebras.

The ugliest are my Superdistortions, they are early 1970s OEM and are brown. 1970s....

Those 2 rows of of adjustable Hex poles are ugly and just suck up dust and grime too.

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Re: Do only PRS make smart, uncovered humbuckers?

PAF humbuckers look exceptionally poor without mounting rings in a pickguard, btw.
 
Re: Do only PRS make smart, uncovered humbuckers?

And good covers don't remove a whole heap of treble anyhow. In the bridge pickup you end up dialling back the tone control in many cases if you have to match with a neck.
 
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