Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass Pickguard Mod

[derylgallant]

Sometimes I'm incredibly impulsive and sometimes I still over things for months. This was a combination of both. I'm doing a GNR band and my plan was to have a replica of Duffs bass. I bought the decals, the pin-up and the Prince symbol. And then I bought the duff bass.

I'm such a dummy, I got it home looked at the Pickguard and then realized there's no access panel on the back and it's chambered out. I'm such an idiot.

The good news is the bass sounds amazing and I'm keeping it. The sort of bad news is now I'm stuck between leaving it as is or doing a mod. First I was thinking about having a luthier fill it in and try to color match it but that's just going to be challenging. I talked to my lady with you and he suggested just getting a cream one ply picture and cutting it.

Am I alone in this? I don't understand how fender could make a Duff signature bass and not have this as an option to take the Pickguard off.

Anyone else have any creative ideas around this?

 

[Malak the Mad]

From what I've seen, Duff was never 100% consistent with this-or-that decal used on his basses. If nothing else, I would think the skull and crossbones one in the negative space of the pickguard would be close enough, ja?

If you really want a custom guard, you could always check out WD Music's website. Invalid Link Removed

 

[Tom Gallo]

I've never really liked the look of precisions with no pickguard. Nice job!

 

[Gino t]

Recently he's playing Ps and J's with plain black pickguard, if you want to be authentic, leave as is like wikipedia pix

Duff McKagan - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

and...

Fender Celebrates Duff McKagan With New Signature Bass Guitar | iHeart

The new instrument is based off the one McKagan used to record Guns N' Roses' 'Appetite for Destruction' album. | iHeart

www.iheart.com

 

[sikamikanico]

When you say chambered out, do you mean they routed a channel between pickup and control cavities? If not, you could just have a control plate…

Otherwise (or perhaps either way), your best bet might be a new body. I'm almost certain it will sound the same.

Or, you know, just leave it as is and rock it…

 

[Christophe C]

use the bass like it is and invest in a GK rig

for the sticker : the red skull is more representative. Or maybe the Social Distortion skeleton... the "sant cruz" hand with a mouth is cool too

 

[InvisibleMan]

Can I just say I LOVE the finish on this bass?

 

[matrok]

I think the look you are trying to get was when he was playing an 80s Japanese Fender Jazz Bass Special with the black headstock, those came with no pickguard.

 

[dfp]

I would try a different pickguard, like you mentioned, creme or maybe aged pearl, or parchment… whatever closest matches or otherwise harmonizes with the body color.

 

[Stranger Danger]

You want the Japanese jazz bass special.

 

[derylgallant]

All right, I took matters into my own hands...

 

[derylgallant]

I would try a different pickguard, like you mentioned, creme or maybe aged pearl, or parchment… whatever closest matches or otherwise harmonizes with the body color.

Yes...this!

 

[Christophe C]

There are duff bass bodies sold on stratosphere. You could keep the neck and build your own ?
Or keep on searching and be patient…