How well do the cream bobbins match the plastics on new LPs?

[Markdude]

I've got a set of BKPs on the way in reverse zebra. I haven't really looked at a whole lot of pictures, but now I'm suddenly feeling paranoid...are they going to match the cream pickup rings/pickguard on my 2013 Gibson Les Paul Signature T or will they be a noticeably different shade?

[bandmaster188]

Just checked my 2008 standard against some zebra mules and the pickup rings are slightly darker, but they could have aged a little. I've also just got the original pick guard out that has never been fitted and that is a different colour to the pickup rings. So I wouldn't worry too much.
Cream goes with anything, even cream!!!

[Philly Q]

Sorry to disagree with Bandmaster, but I always find BKP cream bobbins are lighter in colour than the cream plastic parts used by Gibson (and most other manufacturers).  I am very fussy, I can't deny, but it's something that really gets on my nerves.

The Gibson parts have almost a "pinkish" colour, whereas the BKPs are more "ivory", I'd say.

I've reached the point where I'd probably only use BKP zebras with black rings... although in fact they match the new-style rings on my 2011 PRS quite nicely.

[bandmaster188]

That's what I said mr Q, the pickup rings are darker than the bobbins!!

[Philly Q]

Yeah, of course, I meant a disagreement in emphasis rather than a completely contrary view.

I thought you were being nice and reassuring to the OP.  :)

Whereas I wanted to steam in and say "yes, there is nearly always a very noticeable colour difference!" 

[dvorak]

Sorry to disagree with Bandmaster, but I always find BKP cream bobbins are lighter in colour than the cream plastic parts used by Gibson (and most other manufacturers).  I am very fussy, I can't deny, but it's something that really gets on my nerves.

The Gibson parts have almost a "pinkish" colour, whereas the BKPs are more "ivory", I'd say.

I've reached the point where I'd probably only use BKP zebras with black rings... although in fact they match the new-style rings on my 2011 PRS quite nicely.

Funny thing is that PRS nowadays calls their whitish pickup rings Ivory. The cream ones are still for sale, but for their older models.

[Philly Q]

Funny thing is that PRS nowadays calls their whitish pickup rings Ivory. The cream ones are still for sale, but for their older models.

Yeah, that's exactly right.  It's the "ivory" ones which are closer to the BKP bobbin colour.

[Markdude]

Ah, rats. I suppose I could buy a set of aftermarket pickup covers and have a tech wax pot the pickups and install the covers, right? Sorry, I'm not very familiar with pickups.

[Markdude]

Hmm, I forgot about bobbin toppers too. Maybe I could get black ones (and put them on both bobbins per pickup just to be sure the shades of black match). Anyone have experience with them? I found these in an old thread - http://pickguardparadise.com/accessories.html - but no one seems to have experience with them. Do they look cheap in person, or make the pickup a lot taller? I don't want it to get in the way of picking.

[Philly Q]

Are you in the UK?  BKP will fit covers for you, and only charge for the cost of the covers, not the fitting.

I never actually saw any bobbin toppers, but I can't imagine they look anything other than cheap.

Anyway, you never know, the bobbins might match your pickup rings better than I'm predicting.  Gibson plastics don't seem to be 100% consistent in colour.

[Markdude]

Unfortunately, I'm in the US, and I'm also really anxious to start recording with my new guitar and new pickups, so I'd prefer to not have to wait extra time shipping them back to the UK and waiting for them to get here again. I'd rather just pay a little extra to get some covers myself and have a tech install them (since I'm getting the pickups installed by a tech anyway).

I've always been under the impression that if a pickup is uncovered, it doesn't need to be wax potted. Is that true, and does that mean if I add covers I'll need to get these potted as well?

EDIT: Of course, you're right...it may end up matching pretty well. But I'm OCD, so if it stands out, I'd like to do something about it. :P

[Philly Q]

I know what you mean about the OCD thing!  :lol:

Uncovered pickups are usually potted, because the component parts can still vibrate and make the pickup microphonic.  But yes, it would (arguably) be best to get the covered pickups potted, especially for higher-gain applications.

If you do decide to get covers I'd recommend trying/measuring them against your pickups before buying - if you can - because different manufacturers don't all use exactly the same polepiece spacing.

[bandmaster188]

Yeah, of course, I meant a disagreement in emphasis rather than a completely contrary view.

I thought you were being nice and reassuring to the OP.  :)

Whereas I wanted to steam in and say "yes, there is nearly always a very noticeable colour difference!"

Yeah I was trying to placate him of his creamy conundrum!
It's funny, I've got zebra bkp's in my Lp custom and 335 both of which have black pickup rings. It was only after seeing this thread and holding up a zebra mule to my Lp standard that I noticed how contrasting the colours are. Luckily I had decided to put covered pickups in that guitar.

[Markdude]

Thanks for the feedback and advice, guys!

I did a fair bit of searching (both on here and other forums) and my results were inconclusive. I found some photos of BKP-equipped LPs that look incredible and some where the colors are distractingly different. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

If they are different enough that I want a cover, I'll e-mail BKP and ask for advice about what brand/size covers would work. If it comes down to it, I wouldn't mind sending it back, but I'd prefer to do something quicker. :P

[bandmaster188]

Thanks for the feedback and advice, guys!

I did a fair bit of searching (both on here and other forums) and my results were inconclusive. I found some photos of BKP-equipped LPs that look incredible and some where the colors are distractingly different. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

If they are different enough that I want a cover, I'll e-mail BKP and ask for advice about what brand/size covers would work. If it comes down to it, I wouldn't mind sending it back, but I'd prefer to do something quicker. :P

You could put black pickup rings on as another possibility