Would this humbucker be too UGLY to put in your guitar? If so, what would fix it?

M

MacBradley

New member
I've been making a bunch of pickup prototypes, and this is my favorite build (I call it a "Full Range Humbucker"). On my main player, I use it with a 3+3 cover over the top so it looks like a Wide Range Humbucker for the most part. My problem is that when I put one in my Strat, I would rather have a non-covered look. I've been staring at this thing so long I'm not really sure if it looks cool, hideous, or somewhere in between. What do you guys think? Would you use a humbucker that looked like this without a cover? If not, what would you do to make it look good enough to use? Paint screws? Fill in the holes with something? Hmmm...

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Re: Would this humbucker be too UGLY to put in your guitar? If so, what would fix it

I'd use it uncovered if the holes where filled with black plastic and the in-betweens were painted black.
 
Re: Would this humbucker be too UGLY to put in your guitar? If so, what would fix it

What kind of paint would I use on steel screws? And where would I get plastic .185 around and about 3/8" long?
 
Re: Would this humbucker be too UGLY to put in your guitar? If so, what would fix it

You cannot win. Leave the bobbins open and people question the looks. Cover the bobbins and people will assume that the pickup is an attempted Fender Wide Range clone - whether it is one or not.
 
Re: Would this humbucker be too UGLY to put in your guitar? If so, what would fix it

MacBradley said:
What kind of paint would I use on steel screws? And where would I get plastic .185 around and about 3/8" long?
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Paint, whatever paint they use to paints screws and stuff, I'm not sure. I've used enamel paint with good results, but I'm, not sure if it's the technically correct thing to do.

Maybe this would work for filling the holes http://www.amazon.com/InstaMorph-Mo...TF8&qid=1434045058&sr=8-4&keywords=instamorph
 
Re: Would this humbucker be too UGLY to put in your guitar? If so, what would fix it

What if you got some appropriately sized non-magnetic plugs and chromed them?
 
Re: Would this humbucker be too UGLY to put in your guitar? If so, what would fix it

DreX said:
I've used enamel paint with good results, but I'm, not sure if it's the technically correct thing to do.
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Like model paint? That's what I was wondering if it would work.

GilmourD said:
What if you got some appropriately sized non-magnetic plugs and chromed them?
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I'm not sure where I would get the plugs. And I don't know how I'd crome them outside of painting them, which probably would leave them looking a fair amount different than the pole pieces in color/texture.
 
Re: Would this humbucker be too UGLY to put in your guitar? If so, what would fix it

Yeah the only problem I have is the exposed holes. If they were filled or covered then I'd be good with it.
 
Re: Would this humbucker be too UGLY to put in your guitar? If so, what would fix it

MacBradley said:
Is there some sort of black liquid plastic/epoxy that I could squeeze in the holes, level off, and then leave to dry? Does a thing like that exist? Or at least a color I could paint black after it dried?
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Did you check out InstaMorph? StewMac has black super glue, or you could try mixing black ink with epoxy or casting resin, but it's kind of hit or miss with how well they blend.

Here's another one to consider, in fact I'm going to get some for myself http://www.amazon.com/Resin-Obsessi...34046818&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=coloered+resin
 
Re: Would this humbucker be too UGLY to put in your guitar? If so, what would fix it

I personally would put solid (no hole) covers over it, but I'm vain like that.
 
Re: Would this humbucker be too UGLY to put in your guitar? If so, what would fix it

DreX said:
Did you check out InstaMorph?

Here's another one to consider, in fact I'm going to get some for myself http://www.amazon.com/Resin-Obsessi...34046818&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=coloered+resin
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I looked briefly. I'll have to read the instructions to get a better idea what I can do with it. It seems like a lot of work to get it to shape. That colored resin looks interesting. I've added them both to my Amazon wishlist to look at again.

JOLLY said:
I personally would put solid (no hole) covers over it, but I'm vain like that.
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The adjustable pole pieces are pretty important for me. I use 3+3 covers, but I don't want a covered version on my strat I'll be putting this into.
 
Re: Would this humbucker be too UGLY to put in your guitar? If so, what would fix it

I picked up some enamel paint and brushes. Flat black and gloss black. I'm guessing gloss would match the bobbins best. I'll post an update tonight after I get a chance to paint the screws.

Now just to fill those holes...
 
Re: Would this humbucker be too UGLY to put in your guitar? If so, what would fix it

Can you just get some wood dowels the right size and cut 'em to fit and stick 'em in (maybe with a dab of glue)? That would be an easy fill.
 
Re: Would this humbucker be too UGLY to put in your guitar? If so, what would fix it

GuitarStv said:
Can you just get some wood dowels the right size and cut 'em to fit and stick 'em in (maybe with a dab of glue)? That would be an easy fill.
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That'd probably work best and then paint them over with the black enamel.
 
Re: Would this humbucker be too UGLY to put in your guitar? If so, what would fix it

Why even do that? Just go to the autoparts store and pick up some rubber grommets. Push in holes... done
 
Re: Would this humbucker be too UGLY to put in your guitar? If so, what would fix it

If it has the right tone I would just put it in the guitar and play.
 
Re: Would this humbucker be too UGLY to put in your guitar? If so, what would fix it

You say you don't like the covered look in your Strat. Is that because of the metal cover? How about getting a solid black plastic cover (like on EMG pups) And just drill the appropriate holes to fit.
 
Re: Would this humbucker be too UGLY to put in your guitar? If so, what would fix it

Here is a photo with the screws painted black. The holes are still there though. I think I'm gonna try the wood dowel idea today since I can get those in the proper size locally.

photo(4).jpg

Securb said:
If it has the right tone I would just put it in the guitar and play.
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I'd rather have a nice aesthetic as well. Also, I make pickups for other people too and would like an uncovered version of this pickup that looks good as well.
 
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