Here's a little information that I know concerning Red Rhodes. He was a steel guitar player/amp repairman/builder in the Nashville area. Back in the 70's he opened up shop in the Western suburbs of Chicago and among other things, began building a replacement pick-up line called "The Velvet Hammer". There was a humbucker and a Strat version available and maybe a few more. This only lasted for a few years and these pick-ups are really rare. I had one of the humbuckers back in the day, sorta like a DiMarzio Super Distortion. It was covered in a soft wax. In the Summertime, if your hand got too close and touched it, it would leave a sticky spot.
Bill, where abouts are you in the Summertime? I didn't see where you are from in your profile section.....??