What a difference a tort pickguard makes!

bobknowsbass · #1 09-20-2009, 04:15 AM

This is a cream MIM standard Jazz that started out with a white pickguard and rounds. Pretty straight up. After slapping on this for a few years the strings started to get old and I neglected it for my other basses. I brought it to Pasadena bass day and during Andrew Gouche's clinic he told me I was way past due on changing my strings and when Gouche talks, you listen.

After reading a couple of TB forums, especially the photoshop your bass and confessions of a flatwound convert, I was inspired to put a tort pickguard and Labella flatwounds on my Jazz. Now, this bass is straight up class!

This bass is gorgeous now and the flats sound amazing! I also have a lakland 55-02, an Ibby SR 506, an Ibby AEB 10 and an upright, but I'm feeling like this one might go from least played to most. Thanks to you guys out there in TB land for giving me the idea to breath new life into this former bench warmer.

Fetzu · #2 09-20-2009, 05:54 AM

Definately looks beautiful!
IMO a Rosewood fretboard and White body need a tort pickguard. It's such a classic combination.

madbassplaya · #3 09-20-2009, 06:22 AM

White and tort are a great look.

Flea rocks something similar every now and again. I was told flats are on his bass as well.

Oren Hudson · #4 09-20-2009, 06:28 AM

To my eyes, the only thing that would make it even better looking would be the covers.

pasta4lnch · #5 09-20-2009, 06:31 AM

I never realized how a tort guard goes w/ so many colors...nice bass!

Pilgrim · #6 09-20-2009, 08:46 AM

It's almost impossible to beat white and tort together - classic and classy.

And the Labella flats are just about perfect, too!

bobknowsbass · #7 09-20-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

White and tort are a great look.

Flea rocks something similar every now and again. I was told flats are on his bass as well.

Didn't know that, sweet!

dave_bass5 · #8 09-22-2009, 02:57 AM

yeah, White and Tort is a classic combo.
Even Fender now realise that.

jordie65 · #9 09-22-2009, 03:00 AM

i did the exact same thing to my MIM Fender. originally cream with white PG then changed it to tort and put some TI flats on it. looks and sounds classy! now that someone mentioned a bridge cover im tempted to add that too..

JonesKY · #10 09-28-2009, 03:39 PM

I've a Dakota Red J with a Tortoise guard - it's grown on me.