Hate your White pickguard? Try this...

[Spectrum]

Using sunlight makes me think. There is a photographic process called "anthotyping" which involves coating a piece of paper with mashed up dyes from flower pedals, placing a sheet film negative over it (or some other pattern) and sticking it in the sun for a length of time. The result will be a photographic print.

Using UV rays to change the color of your plastic is the same thing; you could put a negative over it or some kind of pattern and bake it onto the guard in the sun.

 

[Peteyboy]

Using UV rays to change the color of your plastic is the same thing; you could put a negative over it or some kind of pattern and bake it onto the guard in the sun.

Just chiming in to recognize the genius of this. Truly inspired.

 

[mojomike001]

I lightly antiqued a new pearl pickguard for my tele build. I basically just lightly dusted the pickguard with tinted lacquer around the outer perimeter.

 

[FDR Jones]

When I want that aged look, I just run down to the local tanning salon and toss my bass into a tanning bed for a couple hours.

 

[ToneMonkey]

My favorite pickguard these days is clear plexiglass, back painted with a complementary color. Typically runs me about $20, including the guard and paint. I love the sense of depth it gives without being tacky. Sort of a nod in the direction of old Gretsch and Rickenbackers.

I don't have any bass photos to show, but here's Goldie...

 

[wraub]

I have a newer ano guard on my main P bass, it has no finish and the gold is worn down to the aluminum in a couple spots... It's definitely got the aged look, but I keep thinking of having it redone.

I like the white PG on this. It's a '50s Vintera who's original owner swapped it out and notched it for truss rod access. Those gold anodized guards feel kind of icky to me anyway. I had those old plastic knobs laying around for years. I think they came on a early MIM P-Bass, if I'm not mistaken. *why does seafoam green always look blue in photos?*
View attachment 3970890

Wow, really dramatic difference!



This was why the originals in the 50's were sprayed with clear nitro. Feels much better. I don't know why they skip this on most of the various reissues.

 

[laristotle]

Depending on the body, I'm not a fan of white PG's.
I got some peel-back, clear decal sheets from Wally World, printed patterns on them and stuck them on.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

So then don't do what I did...

LOL....now worries @eastcoasteddie, I won't. I'm glad your turned out the way you like. I think I'll keep mine the way I like it because it contrasts the color of the body just enough.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Perfectly roasted marshmallow.

You know...that's exactly what it looks like...

 

[retslock]

Next time screw it to a board to keep the screw holes in place. I'm not a fan of white pick guards except on white bodies.