I would say that those pickups are not stock. I am pretty sure unless it is a "limited edition" that they every came with uncovered pickups. They have had the 490, 498 combo since inception. Only recently have the faded studios come with the Burst buckers.
I will do some digging and see if they had a special edition in blue in 2002.
Update: Well after a quick look there were several limited editons in various shades of blue using the open coil pickups. Not sure what series they were.
If you check the impedence, the 490/498 set are areond 7.5 neck and 13.5 bridge. They would be an excellent pickup set. I love that combo.
The Blues is alright!
Guitars: 1968 Gibson SG, 2005 Gibson SG Standard, 2006 Gibson LP Classic Gold top, 2004 Epiphone Elitist LP Custom, 1996 Gibson Les Paul Standard. 2001 Epiphone Sheraton II, 2007 Epiphone G400.
Fender Strats: 1996 Fender 68 Reissue CIJ, 2008 Squier CV 50s, 2009 Squier CV 50s Tele Butterescotch Blonde
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