Pickguard Mock-Up...Cool or Not?

[Masta' C]

Decided to mate my new Warmoth baritone neck (full Wenge construction) to a modern Warmoth Tele body in Goblin Flake finish that I've been holding onto. Really digging this particular wood/color combo in person!

However, in my opinion, the body is a bit too plain by itself, despite the really cool finish. Something about the Tele shape and simplistic "modern" features of this one leaves me wanting a little more.

So, I started looking at pickguard options to spruce it up a bit. Came across a classic thinline Tele guard and decided to do a paper mock-up using the printable template on Warmoth's site. The paper was white, so I did a quick photo edit to make it black.

The paper template is draped over a single-coil neck pickup, so it doesn't sit completely flat against the body in that area, but this pic gives a good idea of what this guard shape would look like.

So...what do you guys think? Is this look cool or not?

 

[Seashore]

I dig it. I want the curve on the upper bout where it meets the fretboard to not extend so far, like, I think it would look better if it curved down towards the 21st fret instead of the 20th. But yeah, it will look sweet that way.

 

[Mincer]

I don't know if I'd cover up a finish like that. But if I was going to, your design does look good.

 

[Masta' C]

I don't know if I'd cover up a finish like that. But if I was going to, your design does look good.

Thank you for your input!

I think the problem is that I went a little *too* modern with this build initially. With the single volume control (no Tele control plate), smaller tremolo bridge, direct-mounted pickups (no rings) and simplified H-S pickup configuration, the whole thing just looks a bit barren and uninspired. Even my wife said "it's too plain...it needs something" and she's not comparing it to anything.

That was part of the reason I didn't stick with the build the first time...it just looked...boring! I mean, the finish is beautiful, but the Tele lines and "slab" nature just don't show it off that well.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

Awesome finish. And I think the pickguard looks mighty good.
I would totally rock that guitar, only with a regular scale neck.
Only I'd want a tone control.

IMO a chrome covered neck pickup & a big chrome knob would help break up the expanse of black a bit.

 

[Masta' C]

I dig it. I want the curve on the upper bout where it meets the fretboard to not extend so far, like, I think it would look better if it curved down towards the 21st fret instead of the 20th. But yeah, it will look sweet that way.

So, less "peak" at the top? Or just shorter on the top side of the neck pocket?

If I go with this shape, I'll order the guard direct from Warmoth, since I know theirs will fit this body perfectly.

The guard will come pre-drilled with mounting holes, but I would certainly be down to gently reshape it if it would make it look better

 

[Mr. 80's]

I would go with no pickguard myself. Would be cool to see a pic without the pickguard. That color is awesome!

 

[Seashore]

So, less "peak" at the top? Or just shorter on the top side of the neck pocket?

If I go with this shape, I'll order the guard direct from Warmoth, since I know theirs will fit this body perfectly.

The guard will come pre-drilled with mounting holes, but I would certainly be down to gently reshape it if it would make it look better

This pic is kind of janky since I did it on my phone, but I feel like taking that curve next to the neck pocket down just a little would make it flow better:



It'll look cool with the pickguard either way though... Makes me want to get my baritone back up and running.

 

[ICTGoober]

The black pickguard is fine, but get the 3 ply with a white pinstripe or a black pearl and you'll like it even more.

 

[Masta' C]

The black pickguard is fine, but get the 3 ply with a white pinstripe or a black pearl and you'll like it even more.

Yes! I definitely plan to do that. Straight black is too boring! Plus, I want a matching truss cover in 3-ply (Tilt-back headstock)

 

[GuitarStv]

I like the pickguard . . . but I'm generally a fan of pickguards on guitars.

 

[beaubrummels]

I think it's an opportunity to do something slightly more original or unique-ish. Like adapt a Meteora/Parallel Universe guard outline to fit, or do a Tele variant of an LP Jr. guard, or adapt a Taylor SBX-1 guard to fit on a Tele, or adapt a Gibson Grabber guard to fit, etc.

 

[Masta' C]

I think it's an opportunity to do something slightly more original or unique-ish. Like adapt a Meteora/Parallel Universe guard outline to fit, or do a Tele variant of an LP Jr. guard, or adapt a Taylor SBX-1 guard to fit on a Tele, or adapt a Gibson Grabber guard to fit, etc.

I thought about that, too... Doing something a little more unique.

I messed around with a Meteora-inspired shape, but it doesn't flow as well on the Tele body.

I'll have to glance at some of the other models you mentioned

 

[Clint 55]

Looks good.

 

[Fender_Punk]

I like it! I like the sparkle green paint too.

 

[jeremy]

love the color and i think thats a good shape to spice up the look. you could modify it once you have it in hand if ya wanted

 

[larryguitar]

love the color and i think thats a good shape to spice up the look. you could modify it once you have it in hand if ya wanted

I'd actually suggest getting it without drilled holes and attaching it with pickguard adhesive designed for an acoustic, just so if you change your mind that finish will still be pristine; that color would be hard to patch if you wanted to lose the screw holes....

Larry

 

[Securb]

I think it is sexy.

 

[beaubrummels]

I thought about that, too... Doing something a little more unique.

I messed around with a Meteora-inspired shape, but it doesn't flow as well on the Tele body.

I'll have to glance at some of the other models you mentioned

If you post a pic of just the body, I could mockup what I was suggesting.

 

[JMP/HBE]

Decided to mate my new Warmoth baritone neck (full Wenge construction) to a modern Warmoth Tele body in Goblin Flake finish that I've been holding onto. Really digging this particular wood/color combo in person!

However, in my opinion, the body is a bit too plain by itself, despite the really cool finish. Something about the Tele shape and simplistic "modern" features of this one leaves me wanting a little more.

So, I started looking at pickguard options to spruce it up a bit. Came across a classic thinline Tele guard and decided to do a paper mock-up using the printable template on Warmoth's site. The paper was white, so I did a quick photo edit to make it black.

The paper template is draped over a single-coil neck pickup, so it doesn't sit completely flat against the body in that area, but this pic gives a good idea of what this guard shape would look like.

So...what do you guys think? Is this look cool or not?

I like it >