Fender Custom Shop Black pole pieces . . . .

[ingraha3]

Hi there,
I have a beautiful Custom Shop P bass that was built this year and I'm the original owner. The P bass pickups are hand wound and came with what feels like a black waxy paint on the pickup poles. Did they do this back in the '60's? I'm trying to figure out the relevance, but I can't find anything with my research so far.
Any insight would be appreciated!
Regards,
Chris

 

[TrevorG]

Totally clueless I'm afraid but I luuurrrrve your bass!

 

[96tbird]

I’m pretty sure that some modern CS bass models will have factory WAX POTTED pickups which was not a feature of 60s Fender pickups.

If you pot your own pickups, you would wipe the excess wax off the mags and flat work. If Fender is potting these pickups it’s likely they don’t bother wiping excess wax off.

 

[Jim C]

I have a real 60' (and have played others) and there was no coating on the pup pole pieces. That almost looks like a Sharpie. I would have thought they would have knocked the gloss of the PUP covers too. I don't think they had anywhere near that much gloss even when new.
Interesting finish.