Yeah as far as taking a finish off I wouldn't recommend it Kim, you're gonna get gouges (especially on a flat surface) and it would be more trouble than it's worth sanding them out. if the body isn't bound did you ever consider paint remover? I used some on my Blacktop LP and it pulled it off a treat, you've just got to be careful because it can eat your binding.
I'm gonna have to go with the standard pups for now because I'm poorer than a homeless person hehehe
