Hate your White pickguard? Try this...

[eastcoasteddie]

My Sunburst Affinity Jazz V body came with a bleach-white pickguard. I hated it. At first I tossed it into a box for 2 years, then after looking at some vintage white PG's I decided to try something.
I screwed the PG onto a piece of plywood to try and keep it flat. Then placed the piece of plywood with PG screwed to it in a place that sees constant sunlight - not outside, but behind glass inside. I left it there for about 6 to 9 months...I really don't remember...
The result Is this weird sun-colored off-cream color that seems to be darker near the neck than towards the bridge side.
I noticed it shrank a little, too, so I had to fight it around the neck pickup and a couple of screw holes weren't perfectly lined up... it that Squier screw holes ever are.

it's difficult to get a good photo with a phone as it tries to adjust exposure for the "best" looking photo. I had to make adjustments to try and get it to look as it does in person.

this idea was inspired by a custom motorcycle builder from Ohio (forget the name) who wanted natural patina on the valve head covers of a build, and he left them outside all winter long, and poured beer and pee'd on them occasionally.
I wouldn't recommend Pee'ing on your PG...unless you want to see what happens...

 

[garp]

That's very cool. I've seen a similar thing happen with unsold instruments that are left in a retailer's storefront display for extended periods of time.

I do like the way certain plastics age. I've got an MIJ Strat from the early '90s. It has lived most of its life in a case. The pickup covers and knobs started as pure white, and are now approaching "banana."

 

[Vinny_G]

White pickguards don't bother me, they go well with some finishes. That said, if I wanted to give one of them an aged look like that, I would just let it soak in tea overnight.

 

[sleddogn]

speaking of pee, are you sure the neighbors cat didn't spray it a couple of times

 

[3684799953275]

A long time ago, before I ditched all my Fender Jazz Basses, i was doing some gigs with an all Cholo Version Led Zeppelin Tribute Band called "Led Mexican" i painted the pickguard like the Mexican Flag. It wss a funny gimmick... Its the only thing i saved from my Jazz Basses...

 

[mikeswals]

i've soaked them in coffee for 24-48 hours and got the same yellow effect.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

i've soaked them in coffee for 24-48 hours and got the same yellow effect.

I might try that, too...must smell amazing (I live on coffee...)

 

[RickBlair]

I just let mine sit on the bass for 50 years.

Rick B.

 

[Vinny_G]

I just let mine sit on the bass for 50 years.

What a great idea, I'm trying this tonight!

 

[Peteyboy]

What a great idea, I'm trying this tonight!

The Longest Night - A Memoir by Vinny G.

 

[micguy]

Although it is tinted a bit, the way I see things, under stage lighting, it's still while. White, mint, parchment, ivory, etc - they all look pretty much the same once you get any colored lighting going. If you like it, cool, but to an audience, you're definitely splitting hairs.

 

[captainofsmooth]

The coffee/tea thing has never worked for me. I tried once to sand/scratch up the pg first, as suggested by others on here, but I don't like the rougher surface it's left with. Sunlight has worked for me, but very time consuming.

 

[Killing Floor]

+1 for not peeing on your bass. Not a fan of the smell when it gets hot.

But yours looks cool so contrats. Hard to not look cool wrapped around blocks and maple.

 

[Sands]

My Sunburst Affinity Jazz V body came with a bleach-white pickguard. I hated it. At first I tossed it into a box for 2 years, then after looking at some vintage white PG's I decided to try something.
I screwed the PG onto a piece of plywood to try and keep it flat. Then placed the piece of plywood with PG screwed to it in a place that sees constant sunlight - not outside, but behind glass inside. I left it there for about 6 to 9 months...I really don't remember...
The result Is this weird sun-colored off-cream color that seems to be darker near the neck than towards the bridge side.
I noticed it shrank a little, too, so I had to fight it around the neck pickup and a couple of screw holes weren't perfectly lined up... it that Squier screw holes ever are.

it's difficult to get a good photo with a phone as it tries to adjust exposure for the "best" looking photo. I had to make adjustments to try and get it to look as it does in person.

View attachment 3969984

View attachment 3969986

this idea was inspired by a custom motorcycle builder from Ohio (forget the name) who wanted natural patina on the valve head covers of a build, and he left them outside all winter long, and poured beer and pee'd on them occasionally.
I wouldn't recommend Pee'ing on your PG...unless you want to see what happens...

Perfectly roasted marshmallow.

 

[HardNHeavy]

i've soaked them in coffee for 24-48 hours and got the same yellow effect.

i was just thinking that........but with a small blowtorch, just barely heating it up to give it a stained effect........hmmm

 

[sleddogn]

I might try that, too...must smell amazing (I live on coffee...)

i can see the band look over and you're licking the pickguard between songs

 

[Vinny_G]

i can see the band look over and you're licking the pickguard between songs

Then you realize it's not the pickguard that was soaked in coffee, but the one you urinated on

 

[Doctor Morbius]

Florescent lights will age plastic quickly.

 

[tgriley62]

I got this Squire about 6 years ago & it was already yellowing. I think it looks cool but, hard to see with this cell phone

 

[sonojono]

A long time ago, before I ditched all my Fender Jazz Basses, i was doing some gigs with an all Cholo Version Led Zeppelin Tribute Band called "Led Mexican" i painted the pickguard like the Mexican Flag. It wss a funny gimmick... Its the only thing i saved from my Jazz Basses...

View attachment 3970179

Hey Mike G!