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How does this look? P Bass Pickguard Combo

#61
Mr Low End said:
Hello All,

What do you think of this combination? I just bought a gold anodized guard for my American Pro II. Just wanted your opinions on it. I haven’t installed it yet. I also have a new set of Pure Vintage 63’s to install.Thanks

View attachment 5029690
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I think it looks nice, I assume it's riding as high as it is because you've got it on top of the current PG. My first thought on seeing it was "wow that's one fat pickguard". But properly installed, I think it will complement both the body and the maple neck. It's a very classic look, if that's what you're going for then this will get you there.

I personally cannot use metal pickguards myself - something about the texture of them just feels weird against my hands. But I'm especially sensitive to touch sensations, so much so that I have a hard time with most roundwound strings.
 
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#62
Yeah, it’s on top of the tort guard just for the photo. I actually like the feel of the cold metal on the hand. I was going for that classic Duck Dunn vibe.


Isaac_James said:
I think it looks nice, I assume it's riding as high as it is because you've got it on top of the current PG. My first thought on seeing it was "wow that's one fat pickguard". But properly installed, I think it will complement both the body and the maple neck. It's a very classic look, if that's what you're going for then this will get you there.

I personally cannot use metal pickguards myself - something about the texture of them just feels weird against my hands. But I'm especially sensitive to touch sensations, so much so that I have a hard time with most roundwound strings.
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#73
pbassnut said:
A great look to be sure ... and a replica of a '58 Precision which is one of the Holy Grails of bassdom. The only problem is there's no notch cutout for access to the truss rod. I'm a function over form kinda guy and this would be a show-stopper for me. Having to deinstall/reinstall the neck or pickguard in order to make minor tweaks to the truss rod is a bridge too far ... no matter how cool it looks.
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Any bass with obstructed truss rod access due to a pickguard that I owned would have to be corrected. It’s a simple matter if you have some basic dremel tool skills. However, wouldn’t you end up with exposed (silver colored aluminum) if you cut into it?
 
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#76
OP, Great looking bass! Definitely go for the gold pickguard! I have this same setup as you, but I actually built this bass. Here's what I used:
Fender MIM 2TSB body, Fender Roasted Maple Neck, Vintage tuning machines, Fender PV '63 pickups, Gold anodized pickguard (10 hole :(), gold screws, Stew Mac wiring kit (Switchcraft pots/jack, knobs, wire, orange drop .47 ohm capacitor), Fender vintage bridge, tug bar and put the beast together! Feels and sounds great! You will enjoy the PV '63s!
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P.S. Please excuse that dog hair on the body - Louie the Lab was curious!
 
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#77
She look beautiful!! I was going to ask how you like your PV 63’s. I am very new to precision basses. Is it recommended to put in a new wire harness kit with orange drop? What does that do for you? Curious

Thanks

Davebass77 said:
OP, Great looking bass! Definitely go for the gold pickguard! I have this same setup as you, but I actually built this bass. Here's what I used:
Fender MIM 2TSB body, Fender Roasted Maple Neck, Vintage tuning machines, Fender PV '63 pickups, Gold anodized pickguard (10 hole :(), gold screws, Stew Mac wiring kit (Switchcraft pots/jack, knobs, wire, orange drop .47 ohm capacitor), Fender vintage bridge, tug bar and put the beast together! Feels and sounds great! You will enjoy the PV '63s!
View attachment 5031242

P.S. Please excuse that dog hair on the body - Louie the Lab was curious!
Click to expand...
 
#78
Mr Low End said:
She look beautiful!! I was going to ask how you like your PV 63’s. I am very new to precision basses. Is it recommended to put in a new wire harness kit with orange drop? What does that do for you? Curious

Thanks
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Hello @Mr Low End! Precision basses are kind of new to me also, so I thought it could be fun to try and build one. And it was! I put Labella flats on this bass and it's a Motown/Stax machine! But also good for any other genre you like. The pickups have great bottom, nice mids and a good growl without being too modern. A real vintage warmth to them. I'm in a 60's British Invasion band and it fits really well. I was born in 1958 and like a lot of TB'ers, I tried to build a birth year (looking) bass.
You shouldn't have to install a new harness kit with new pickups. I had to because the body was bare, nothing in it. Obviously, if your current pots are scratchy sounding, something must be done; but I'd say just unsolder the old pickup leads and solder in the new. There are a few different types (and values ) of capacitors and the .47 ohm is the Fender value that Leo used for the 1957 split pickup version of the P bass. I also like orange, no other reason. It was in the kit!
 
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#80
Mr Low End said:
Hello All,

What do you think of this combination? I just bought a gold anodized guard for my American Pro II. Just wanted your opinions on it. I haven’t installed it yet. I also have a new set of Pure Vintage 63’s to install.Thanks

View attachment 5029690
Click to expand...

Not my taste - too harsh a contrast between the body and pickguard, plus the pickguard is "gold" and the rest of the hardware is "silver."
 

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