I think "But really, they're just pickups, if someone can't see past the way your guitar looks, and hear how you play..they probably suck." is more like it.
I'm a musician so if you busted out that hot pink axe,I would laugh it up,but it wouldnt detract from my appreciation of your talent/skill/ability...
Not everyone would care to look past it though.
Later! \m/
Try once,fail twice...