Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Help me decide on a pickguard.
- Thread starter dlenehan
- Start date
Anodized. It's cool and it automatically acts as a shield.
Also period correct for a two tone sunburst from 1958
Also period correct for a two tone sunburst from 1958
“If you can’t decide between two things it doesn’t matter which you choose”. Works for three too.
I like tort the least, and it's a tight thing between black and anodized.
However, the main reason is that I absolutely hate the feeling of playing an anodized guard. When I move my thumb and the thumbnail scratches along the surface, it sends shivers everywhere - but not the good kind.
I really wanted that anodized guard on my P bass because it looked awesome, but I could not get past the feeling, so I had to swap it and feel an automatic dislike towards them as a side effect of that experience.
I think if my mind was clear of that, I'd vote anodized without hesitation.
However, the main reason is that I absolutely hate the feeling of playing an anodized guard. When I move my thumb and the thumbnail scratches along the surface, it sends shivers everywhere - but not the good kind.
I really wanted that anodized guard on my P bass because it looked awesome, but I could not get past the feeling, so I had to swap it and feel an automatic dislike towards them as a side effect of that experience.
I think if my mind was clear of that, I'd vote anodized without hesitation.
They all look good. I say keep switching!
Gold looks best by far to me!
I think you should try black Bakelite with a gloss finish.
I think you should try black Bakelite with a gloss finish.
Last edited:
I have yet to see a bass with any type of burst finish on which I liked the look of the classic tort pickguard.
I think that burst finishes already have enough going on visually. I prefer them without pickguards or with translucent ones but if they must have an opaque one, black works best for my eye.
I think that burst finishes already have enough going on visually. I prefer them without pickguards or with translucent ones but if they must have an opaque one, black works best for my eye.
Last edited:
1. Tort
2. Gold anodized
3. black
This would be preferred order. Beautiful P by the way!
I found a gold anodized alu pickguard on Ebay, with a smooth surface, that I really like. Because as you say, the unlaquered Fender ones really get scratchy under the fingers, which isn't the best feeling - the one I got fit perfectly on my Warmoth P body, but has a slightly different tone of the gold, that I personally like better, as I find it a bit more "rich" colorwise
Either anodized or white. (Although white is not one of your choices in the photos.)
IMHO, a 2 tone sunburst, rosewood fretboard + white guard would look awesome! And a 2 tone with white guard is actually somewhat rare to see.
IMHO, a 2 tone sunburst, rosewood fretboard + white guard would look awesome! And a 2 tone with white guard is actually somewhat rare to see.
White/mint, anodized, black.
Tort sometimes works on plain colours. Sunburst is too busy. The white shown above is stupendous.
Tort sometimes works on plain colours. Sunburst is too busy. The white shown above is stupendous.
Call me crazy but :
Black = rock
Gold anodized = retro and country
Red tort = disco, dance and jack of all trades
So I voted red tort for the versatility.
Black = rock
Gold anodized = retro and country
Red tort = disco, dance and jack of all trades
So I voted red tort for the versatility.
I like black or anodized but voted black because it’s a more unique combo. I see anodized on sunburst a lot.
You’re asking a guy that has had torts on his bass for over 20 years. This also a guy that couldn’t match a shirt and tie if his life depended on it, BUT, the tort is a classic look (I have it on my sunburst JB) the black is a nice understated look. The white reminds me of Chuck Taylor’s on a basketball court.
LOL! Excellent comment!
Although Chuck Taylors are black and white and not 2 tone and white.
If the tort was brown instead of red I would say tort. I vote anodized.
