Filling in pickguard holes

[JonnyAngle]

I like the feel of my Sterling without the pickguard, so I took it off. To fill in the holes I am considering your everyday wood filler. However, then I'll have a black bass with these tan dots on it where the pickguard screws were. Am I supposed to do a quick spray of black over the whole thing? I haven't seen any black wood filler.

The finish is a 7 out of 10 currently, but I don't want to encompass myself in a time consuming refinish. I guess the big questions is: Can I spray another layer of paint over my existing finish?

 

[Gord_oh]

i wouldnt spray the bass.
you can spray wood filler however.
honestly, id leave the holes.
or you could fill it with black screws, but i dont know how that would look.

 

[mikeyswood]

Why are you not using black epoxy?

 

[joeyjoejoe]

i think stewmac.com has some touch up stuff for guitar finishes.

 

[whitedk57]

Sterling abuse - will be prosecuted to the full extent of the bass law!

What distinguishes an EBMM is the teardrop pickguard (usually). What if I came to your gig and didn't recognize your Sterling? Unknowingly to me, my respect for you will not be elevated like it would if you were playing an EBMM.

Actually, I am just kidding (but don't do it!). You can color most wood filler. Ask somebody at Lowes or Home Depot about colored wood filler.

 

[salman]

I do know that they sell black (ebony) wood filler at Home Depot. About $5 and you won't kill the bass, when you decide to put the pick guard back o,no one will know the difference

 

[kenfxj]

...The finish is a 7 out of 10 currently, but I don't want to encompass myself in a time consuming refinish....[/B]

Use the wood filler, let it dry and touch it up with a Sharpie.

 

[JonnyAngle]

To all of the nay-sayers... It feels so much better without it. I have been debating doing this for a long time, and it just feels right not having it. I guess I don't care if people recognize my bass.

 

[whitedk57]

To all of the nay-sayers... It feels so much better without it. I have been debating doing this for a long time, and it just feels right not having it. I guess I don't care if people recognize my bass.

I was just playing with ya! Do what you want - it's all good.

 

[JonnyAngle]

right on, brother!

 

[Rocky McD]

There really isn't much you can put in the holes that will look much better than the holes. Black epoxy, black enamel paint (nail polish), black bubblegum etc. If the body is high gloss black, anything is going to be very noticeable. Respraying the whole body would look horrible if you don't know what you are doing. MY suggestion, don't do anything. If the finish is now a 7 out of 10 then what does it matter.

 

[PaulNYC]

what about black paint inside the holes?

 

[Marton]

Screw some black pickguard screws in the holes ?

 

[drunkenrobot]

Black or chrome screws could look pretty cool IMO.

 

[Burlington]

Black Sharpie?

 

[A Rock]

expensive solution. wood filler and then professionally refinish entire body?

on that note, I was thinking of how to hide the holes left from an ashtray bridge cover. The bass is made of swamp ash and has a "natural" poly finish. Ash wood filler?

 

[sonic assassin]

leave them. its cooler that way

 

[A Rock]

leave them. its cooler that way

only if the bass is older than I am

 

[spaz21387]

i would just leave the holes... i like a bass with dings and dents it adds character. my main gigging bass looks like i carry it around without a gig bag... its nice no one wants to try and steal it. I love that bass it sounds amazing.

 

[pedrodelawasp]

Absolutely go with what you feel most comfortable with on your bass. As several posters have suggested so far, putting the screws back in is an option. Have seen a couple of Fender Jazz basses with their guards removed and the crews put back in that looked pretty sweet. Just make sure you give it a good polish to get rid of the line where the edge of the guard used to be, unless you want that ring of grime look. Stick some pics up too.