Quote:
Originally Posted by Organtis  Ok so here is the plan
But I know from my strat modding experiences that pickguards can be a pain to match. How different are pickguards, do I need something specific or can I just get one made for a Fender American and do some filing. My bass is a S101 Jazz Bass, I just got off ebay.
Oh, and I am new here.... thanks |
Welcome. Lots of threads here on this subject. Do a search.
In a nutshell, you have to consider just how valuable is your bass and what is the mod worth you to have done right?
Basically all you do is pick up the ashtrays (Ebay or elsewhere on net) and get a new tort pickguard. To go cheap you just get a standard Fender Jazz replacement pickguard. It will probably be thinish plastic and as you know need some filing and maybe some hole-moving.
If you want to go a step up from that and get an nice looking custom exact copy of your guard try a custom shop like
Pickguardian Custom Pickguards
where you send in your old pickguard and it's exactly copied in the new material. If you've got money to burn and consider the bass a valuable "vintage" instrument you can request that the pickguard be made from nitrocellulose (presuming the original or the vintage instrument you want the "look" of was). Personally I'd go with a modern plastic rather than the nitro unless you are restoring a classic instrument because the older nitro does not wear well. (which is why they need replaced).
I've done a lot of my pickguards this way and in my personal opinion just a simple upgrade from a black or white pickguard to a nice tort really tweaks out the appearance of a bass. But that's just me. Lots of people like the plain ones too. I've also done the cheap pre-cut pickguard thing too and as you note, expect to do some filing.
