Pickup Poles

[element]

Is there any reason for these poles to be so finger shredingly high other than to shred fingers?

 

[prickly_pete]

Well they are staggered to the shape of the fretboard. At some point they became less shap, though. My 92 has razor sharp pole pieces, but my 99, and 04 have nice smooth pole pieces; its a fair compromise to me. Besides I usually play closer to the bridge and not right over the pickup anway.