I just tried the "6-screw mod" on a pair of TV Jones Powertrons

[Embenny]

Thread a nut onto it before you cut it shorter. When you take it (the nut) off it'll clean the threads so the cut end can still properly engage afterwards.

Great idea, I'll just have to track down a 6/32 nut while I'm at it.

If you're in the USA, I can do better pricing than that.

I'm in Canada, but my main point was that these are pricey pickups that I want to keep fully reversible to stock condition in case I do ever change them, as they retain a lot of resale value.

Both my options are easy to scrape.

Yep, and thanks for your suggestions. They're highly appreciated and I might give them a shot depending on what options I find when I'm done with my online searches.

I heard chrome paint technology is getting pretty good now? Or you could always try some silver nail varnish or something?

Totally valid point, the white ones plus some paint could totally get the job done, too.

I've also realized that my local hardware store has these in stainless steel, which is non-magnetic. Now, from my understanding of magnetic circuits in pickups, the non-magnetic polepieces would keep the reduced inductance of the 6-screw mod, but would increase eddy currents, shaving off some high end response. These have high end to spare, but I don't like the idea of sacrificing anything in the tonal response for the sake of looks, so I'll probably get some of those black nylon screws and cut to size. I'd prefer to keep the extra high end and only roll it off when I chose to, with the tone control.

This exercise has rekindled my interest in mucking around with pickup mods though, it's fascinating how many things you can do to alter the tonal response of a pickup without having to replace it.