Great looking guitar, but I just can't wrap my brain around those pickups!
I know they are unique looking but its a bit like a 'super strat' with uncovered Humbuckers. They look like 5 single coils arranged similarly to the 509 and its probably the best way to think of these. Of course the 509 allows you to effectively turn off one of the Pick-ups in the 'humbuckers' individually so you can run it in various configurations - a HSH, HSS, SSS or SSH if you want and use the 5-way. I have a core 509 myself and the Single Coil sounds are probably not quite as Stratty or Tele type as the Wood Library Swamp Ash/Maple builds but they get close enough for my needs.
As someone who isn't keen on Strats or Teles, pretty much just aesthetically, my 509 is 'my' compromise for want of a better word. Its a great versatile instrument and I describe mine as a bit of a Jack of all Trades but not a master of one. By that, I mean you can use it to get most humbucker type tones and the Single coil options go from a bit tele like to more stratty like which makes it incredibly versatile but there are, at least in my opinion, areas that a traditional double humbucker guitar, a tele and a strat can give you that is a bit of stretch to far for a 509 - hence 'master of none'. Of course the 509 can give you more options than each of those 3 guitars can individually which makes a Jack of all trades but if it was as complete as a 'Strat' for example, it would lose some of that Double Humbucker and/or Tele type goodness.
The look doesn't bother me - especially on a Fire Red Burst - as the Pick-ups blend in well with the general aesthetics of the body. On a lighter colour, they do stand out more as I hope this pic of my 509 shows.
I think this makes them look far more subtle and blend in with the general aesthetics of the Instrument - more so than white Pick Up rings and chrome covered double humbuckers. I know some like their Pick Ups and/or rings to stand out more which is fair enough but my preference is for a more cohesive look. In my opinion, on my 509 with the Rosewood Fretboard, the bridge and the birds stand out far more than the PU's which to me is perfect.
Don't knock it until you try it... LOL
Anyway, I know this is yet again getting off topic so I will say no more on this - especially as my 509 is just a regular core.
