How 'bout now?

[Masta' C]

A number of you indicated that my modern baritone Tele build would benefit from black hardware instead of chrome. My wife insisted the same, so I bought a black bridge for it.

So, here's what it would look like with black hardware (I'll eventually change out the strap buttons, tuners, etc once they arrive).

Is this an improvement?

Also, I'm still on the fence about adding some sort of pickguard or not. My wife says to leave it bare, but I worry that it's a bit too plain despite the cool finish.

Seeing it this way, what are your thoughts?

Note: I'm stuck with Wilkinson trems on this one, since Warmoth's "Wilkinson" rout actually puts the studs closer together than a standard Fender 2-point, Gotoh 510, or Hipshot style trem. :/

 

[Seashore]

Team Pickguard.

 

[GuitarStv]

Needs pickguard.

 

[BlackhawkRise]

Tinted transparent pickguard? Maybe shape like on a Cabronita?

 

[JOLLY]

I like it like that, without a pickguard.

 

[Mincer]

That's not plain, that's awesome. Listen to the wife.

 

[beaubrummels]

That's solid. I'd rock that all day and two ways from Sunday (whatever that means; you know what I mean.)

 

[Demanic]

I like it like that, without a pickguard.

+1

Sent from my SM-A115A using Tapatalk

 

[Seashore]

Can you get black saddles for that bridge?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Just make it a plain black pickguard. Definitely don't go tortoise shell or something horrible like that, LOL.

 

[Seashore]

Just make it a plain black pickguard. Definitely don't go tortoise shell or something horrible like that, LOL.

Seafoam with pink and aqua polka dots and gold hardware. Or mint instead of seafoam for a little more pop.

 

[larryguitar]

If you do put a pickguard on it, I'd suggest doing it with adhesive rather than screws, just so you can go back to that clean look if you decide to.

Larry

 

[playas]

Black saddles and it's a wrap.

 

[Chistopher]

I don't think you could find one, but trans black cabronita pickguard glued on would be sick

 

[PFDarkside]

Just need the graphtech saddles from the other active thread.

 

[treyhaislip]

I think it looks great without the pickguard. And while I do like the all black idea for the saddles--I do think the saddles tie in well with the pickup polepieces and the frets.

 

[JOLLY]

What's the bridge pickup and what exactly do you have going on with it, and the reason?

 

[GuitarDoc]

YES!

I even like the chrome saddles.

If you DO put a pickguard on it, I'd make it fairly small so it doesn't detract from the overall gorgeousness.

 

[Masta' C]

Thank you, guys!

I agree about the saddles...the stainless is a nice feature on a bridge in this price range, but it doesn't look quite right on this particular guitar.

So, I just ordered some black replacements.

I went with Musiclily "Ultra" black coated brass saddles because of their string slot shape.

I realized the string slots on the Wilkinson saddles are a bit too narrow for the heavier baritone strings (.13-.62 gauge), meaning that the bottom strings would be sitting on top of the slot and breaking over a sharp corner, which is just asking for broken strings. For any regular gauge strings, they'd be fine.

Here's a comparison:

I've read a LOT of mixed reviews on Graphtech saddles. The complaints aren't so much about function or quality, but about loss of tone and response. Also, a bit hard to justify the cost Graphtechs relative to these newer import saddles or even a good set of Gotoh saddles.

 

[Masta' C]

What's the bridge pickup and what exactly do you have going on with it, and the reason?

You noticed!

It's a DiMarzio PAF Pro with the hex poles swapped for fillisters under 3 strings on each coil.

This offset pole piece configuration is just something I like to do with my double-hex pickups (I've done the same to Alpha/Omega, Blackened Black Winters, etc).

For the most part, it just looks cool. As for tone, it's not a major change, but it does seem to help to smooth out the "bite" on the highest strings while keeping the low strings crunchy. Technically changes how each coil "sees" each string slightly, but whether that translates into a perceptible difference in the real world is up for debate.