Help me decide on new color scheme for my Strat based on the NEW Forum Strat/P90s!

[KeeperOS]

Hey, for those that missed it, the yet-to-be-named 2008 Seymour Duncan User Group Forums Pickup is HERE!!!
I've decided to get a neck/middle/bridge set and install the neck and middle in my Strat with the Crazy 8 at the bridge.

Here's my Strat now:

and here's the color combination on our own XSSIVE's first reliced Strat:

I REALLY liked how the cream SCs mesh with the zebra bucker to give the illusion of 3 parallel (not slanted) single coils!
I even bought several cream bobbin toppers to make use of if I need to!
Not sure however how it'd look on my strat.

So, apparently the Midnight Blue body finish and the Maple fingerboard stay as well as the chrome tremolo/tuners but all else are subject to change!
That means pickguard, knobs, the SC covers's colors and even jack plate are a GO!
(BTW, I've since replaced all 11 of the pickguard screws with black ones for a more stealthy look, ALSO one of XSSIVE's ideas IIRC!!!)

So?

 

[scottish]

Re: Help me decide on new color scheme for my Strat based on the NEW Forum Strat/P90s

id keep them black to be honest. The body is such a unique color that i dont think too many pickguards are going to compliment it. And i like the black pickguard with the black pups

 

[andrizzle]

Re: Help me decide on new color scheme for my Strat based on the NEW Forum Strat/P90s

USING THIS I made what I think would look kinda nice... basically if the pups are that aged-cream look then do the same with the knobs... that'd be the easiest, cheapest way to make it look pretty sharp

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Help me decide on new color scheme for my Strat based on the NEW Forum Strat/P90s

id keep them black to be honest. The body is such a unique color that i dont think too many pickguards are going to compliment it. And i like the black pickguard with the black pups

Thanks man, always happy to hear what you think since I keep your opinion in very high esteem.

Truth is, I like it very much as well but there are two problems.
The first is that the pickguard scratches TOO easily and the second, while cool it also looks a little dull.

I'd like to spice it up a little if possible (but without being over the top like here:

Yep, same guitar, a long time ago )

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Help me decide on new color scheme for my Strat based on the NEW Forum Strat/P90s

USING THIS I made what I think would look kinda nice... basically if the pups are that aged-cream look then do the same with the knobs... that'd be the easiest, cheapest way to make it look pretty sharp

That's actually not half bad!
(Well, apart from the fact that it ain't that purple, not that I'd mind, I LOVE purple guitars )

I just sent MJ an e-mail asking her among other things whether the new forum pickup will have removable covers.
If they do then I'll just get both and if I don't like it/get bored with it I'll just change it!

 

[scottish]

Re: Help me decide on new color scheme for my Strat based on the NEW Forum Strat/P90s

Thanks man, always happy to hear what you think since I keep your opinion in very high esteem.

Truth is, I like it very much as well but there are two problems.
The first is that the pickguard scratches TOO easily and the second, while cool it also looks a little dull.

I'd like to spice it up a little if possible (but without being over the top like here:

Yep, same guitar, a long time ago )

hehehe. i really like that. id rock that with black pups

 

[andrizzle]

Re: Help me decide on new color scheme for my Strat based on the NEW Forum Strat/P90s

That's actually not half bad!
(Well, apart from the fact that it ain't that purple, not that I'd mind, I LOVE purple guitars )

I just sent MJ an e-mail asking her among other things whether the new forum pickup will have removable covers.
If they do then I'll just get both and if I don't like it/get bored with it I'll just change it!

My fault bro... at first glance that midnight blue in pics (with flash) always looks purpleish to me, so I went off that b4 thoroughly reading your post... i think you get the idea i was going for though... I just figured it'd be a lot easier than an overhaul of hardware for ya... good luck with whatever you pick and shoot up some pics when you get it finished

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Help me decide on new color scheme for my Strat based on the NEW Forum Strat/P90s

Nah, the pickguard will go regardless, it's a cheap thing I got once and regretted it since (see how scratched it looks? That's when it was still NEW!).
Not that the new one can't be black (but of better quality) as well!

The trem/tuners will obviously stay and, if I have the ability to swap the SC's covers then that's easy as well!

EDIT: Here's a mockup I did based on your idea.

The two switches are for split and neck+bridge combo.
I think it looks cool, not anything over the top but with a nice vibe (still not sure whether I'll use cream strat knobs or the chrome dome ones I have but an easy fix regardless )

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Help me decide on new color scheme for my Strat based on the NEW Forum Strat/P90s

hehehe. i really like that. id rock that with black pups

You know, if it were a darker shade of "Black Pearl" I'd like it more but in real person it looks more like Gray Pearl :9:

Actually I've been thinking getting Black Abalone!!!
What do you think about that one?

Any idea where to get a scratch-proof BWB 3-ply pickguard?

Thanks!

 

[scottish]

Re: Help me decide on new color scheme for my Strat based on the NEW Forum Strat/P90s

You know, if it were a darker shade of "Black Pearl" I'd like it more but in real person it looks more like Gray Pearl :9:

Actually I've been thinking getting Black Abalone!!!
What do you think about that one?

Any idea where to get a scratch-proof BWB 3-ply pickguard?

Thanks!

i dont know about BWB, but the all black bakalite ones from WD music should be more scratch resistant that your everyday pickguard. As for the abalone one....its nice but i still think i like the black pearl better.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Help me decide on new color scheme for my Strat based on the NEW Forum Strat/P90s

What does bakelite means anyway?

I don't think I've seen it in "real life"...

Here, I made a mockup of how it would be with the Crazy 8 in the bridge.
Not bad but still I think that it would look better if the pearl was more black than gray...

(click for a LARGE photo...)

 

[scottish]

Re: Help me decide on new color scheme for my Strat based on the NEW Forum Strat/P90s

bakalite is just a type of strong, heat resistant plastic. nothing fancy

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Help me decide on new color scheme for my Strat based on the NEW Forum Strat/P90s

That's it!

I pulled the trigger for three BLACK StraBro 90s so now all the help I could get includes (but isn't limited to ) pickguard and knobs.

Any takers hmmm?

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: Help me decide on new color scheme for my Strat based on the NEW Forum Strat/P90s

If it's possible, I'd just build another Strat around those forum pickups. At least that's what I'm thinking about doing. There's so many Strat parts makers out there that you really can do it on a shoestring budget these days.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Help me decide on new color scheme for my Strat based on the NEW Forum Strat/P90s

I've got a Fender Custom Shop pickguard that would look sweet on that guitar...no pics.

light blue moto HSS in almost new condition for $20 shipped or a quality $20 ft cable.

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Help me decide on new color scheme for my Strat based on the NEW Forum Strat/P90s

If it's possible, I'd just build another Strat around those forum pickups. At least that's what I'm thinking about doing. There's so many Strat parts makers out there that you really can do it on a shoestring budget these days.

Yeah, I have been thinking of an Ash Strat for some time, however I do love this Strat while I'm not really happy with the neck DMZ Fast Track 1 or the MiM stocker middle so I DO want new pickups for those slots.

I'm also thinking of trying to see if I'll like the bridge StraBro 90 enough to maybe turn the tables i.e. return this strat to SSS (with the 3 StraBro 90s) and then build an Ash Strat to put the Crazy 8 there.

We'll see when I have them in my hands

I've got a Fender Custom Shop pickguard that would look sweet on that guitar...no pics.

light blue moto HSS in almost new condition for $20 shipped or a quality $20 ft cable.

Right now I'm just taking ideas, I'll first have to get the 3 pickups and see whether I'll keep the Strat HSS or return her to SSS before actually shop for a pickguard.
I will bear that in mind though!

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: Help me decide on new color scheme for my Strat based on the NEW Forum Strat/P90s

go with a matte black .090" bevel edge guard from warmoth. they look classy in matte and they don't scratch and show fingerprints like gloss black guards. all the black guards i've ever used are matte finish since i hate how easy the gloss black scratches. i'd certainly go with creme pickups since that purpleish blue would look great with it, 2 creme singles and a zebra bridge hum would look great on a matte black guard (black screws...yup, that's my trick, i hate chrome screws on black guards too distracting looking) for knob...chrome, black or creme could work that's all trial end error IMO. as for added, toggles IMO try to keep things clean and use push pull pots if possible to do the splitting.

-Mike

 

[KeeperOS]

Re: Help me decide on new color scheme for my Strat based on the NEW Forum Strat/P90s

I thought of that as well, however I like this white stripe the B/W/B pickguard has a lot, it actually becomes her a lot.

Unfortunately AFAIK there's no matte 2 or 3-ply pickguard...