Should I change my pickguard?

[Falloffthebonetone]

I know this is all really a personal preference thing, but I am thinking of changing the guard on my honeyburst ash, chrome hardware, maple board/neck bass to something in a bit more of an exotic direction and just wanted some second opinions.

Granted the thing already has a white pearl guard on it and I think it looks fantastic, so maybe I just need to be talked down from the ledge before I jump. In which case, I'm counting on you.

Going through Pickguard Heaven if it happens. I was thinking about maybe pulling the trigger on a mirror guard, black and gold kind of swirl guard, carbon or matte black, something along those lines other than just the standard: black, white, cream, mint, tortoise, and white pearl. Maybe you know of some colors or styles I haven't considered.

Either way suggestions or warnings appreciated!

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Should I change my pickguard?

When I was initially planning it, black was option #2 on my mind out of all of them. The wood grain is pretty on this thing. Always liked swamp ash a lot, even more than quilted or flamed maple.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Should I change my pickguard?

Get some contact paper

Nice wood grain or some ducks

Stick it on

When you get bored just pull it off

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: Should I change my pickguard?

I think it is good as is.

I normally like black, but if it was my bass, I wouldn't go with a black pickguard unless I was also going to go to black hardware.

Some of your other suggestions, like mirror or exotic colors/patterns, I think would go great on a black bass or perhaps another dark solid color. Matte black would look great on a white or light colored bass. But for a bass with a natural finish, I think you already have the best option.

So my vote is step back from the edge.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Should I change my pickguard?

Does look pretty perfect as is. My next level would just be aged white pearl.


You just want to be flashy for a little while?

It's just a pickguard, easy enough to change out when you are bored. You could try one of these for a while just for fun...

Leopard

White Zig Zag

(Here's what the zig zag looks like at actual size to a pickguard)

Reissue red tortoise

Or maybe a 'facelift' overlay for the pickguard?
http://www.wdmusic.com/facelift_body_overlays.html

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Should I change my pickguard?

I think it would look sweet with a 3-ply black-white-black pickguard.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: Should I change my pickguard?

How about black pearloid?

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Should I change my pickguard?

I'd leave it as looks great, however bronze or black mirror would look cool.

 

[ric4682]

Re: Should I change my pickguard?

Another vote for plain black. Really brings out the detail in the bass

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Should I change my pickguard?


I also really dig the striped black kind of style on the Geezer Butler Lakland, but I have no idea where to get one like that that would fit on the bass anyway. I hear,its aluminum? Different dimensions than a typical P.

 

[ginormous]

Re: Should I change my pickguard?

That's sweet as it is. Come on inside, I'll get you some coffee... it's cold out here.

 

[speakerjones]

Re: Should I change my pickguard?

+1 for either b/w/b or single ply black.

 

[skisquash]

Re: Should I change my pickguard?

I would go to a variation of black. Actually, no pickguard will look best.

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Should I change my pickguard?

Yep, pickguard is covering control cavities.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Should I change my pickguard?

I'd go for the Gibson-style 5-ply black myself. A dark, 4-ply, real tortoise (i.e. not printed tortoise) might look okay as a second choice. In any case, the pearloid has to go IMO (and white would look nearly as bad).

 

[jmcorey]

Re: Should I change my pickguard?

I love the color combo you have now. Honey burst with pearloid is more beautiful than Miss February.

Don't change it!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[skisquash]

Re: Should I change my pickguard?

I suspect that the G&L bass has to sport a pickguard. There might well be routed cable channels that need covering.

Thanks. Thought about that after, even though my ASATs don't have this. Maybe a dark brown may complement it more so the guard doesn't stand out.