Thanks. Its actually a botched job, if you saw it close. The grain shows through and I had to sand off some gunk that didnt cure from off the neck. Thats the way I got it. It looks okay, but tis a player.
Its too late for a different guard- this one cost 20 bucks. I maybe should have got the 3 ply BWB at least though. I might try the black knobs.
EDIT- I just tried black knobs- just with regular Strat knobs, and you were correct. Definitely reduces the cheese factor by a significant percentage. I'll order black Bell knobs this evening;
My Epi Custom... rewired it with new switch, pots, jack. Changed out the pickups to JB/Jazz. If I keep it, I'm considering changing them again at some point, to add back the nickel covers and pickguard.. but IDK. Gonna try a different combo if I do, just to see what else I like.