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Lets See Those Beautiful Quilted Maple Tops!

#143
tombowlus said:
Roger suggested a clear pickguard, but I have mixed feelings about them. To me, if I am going to go with a pickguard, then I'd probably want to cop a more vintage vibe. But, I am not ruling this out.

Another concern I have with the "no pickguard" approach to a J-style bass is how you lay out the knobs. I don't like the chrome knob covers with no pickguard, and I am not usually a fan of the "four in a row" look, either. So, Roger is going to take some shots for me with the knobs laid out either in a diamond pattern (like the 24F basses) or following the curve of the body. Hopefully, he can also snap a few shots with a pickguard on it. :)

Tom.
Click to expand...
Good points.

Of course you realize you'll have to fwd those pics to me for approval before you choose. ;)
 
#145
Here's an update on that little Guild Pilot which came in today. Here it is with a fresh set of Blue Steel NPS's:

125_2533.jpg


125_2531.jpg


Sorry for the flash photos, but it's, well, night right now. :D
 
#146
tombowlus said:
Roger suggested a clear pickguard, but I have mixed feelings about them. To me, if I am going to go with a pickguard, then I'd probably want to cop a more vintage vibe. But, I am not ruling this out.

Another concern I have with the "no pickguard" approach to a J-style bass is how you lay out the knobs. I don't like the chrome knob covers with no pickguard, and I am not usually a fan of the "four in a row" look, either. So, Roger is going to take some shots for me with the knobs laid out either in a diamond pattern (like the 24F basses) or following the curve of the body. Hopefully, he can also snap a few shots with a pickguard on it. :)

Tom.
Click to expand...

I absolutely hate the clear pickguard idea... kind of the worst of all worlds to me... still not 'vintage' at all... but you still have that chunk of plastic on the bass... plus... it wouldn't help cover up the 'multi-route' for your P vs. J neck pickup. Kind of reminds me of the putting plastic slip covers over nice furniture to 'keep them safe and clean'!

My feeling is that the 'standard' model is the way to go for you (i.e., no pickguard). Just choose the pickup version you want, route it, and be done with it. Also, to me.. the 'four in a row' knob placement looks fine, and is a signature Sadowsky look that I wouldn't mess with on the J Bass.

The real advantage to me of having a pickguard is if you slap or play with a pick a lot, the finish does get scratched up a bit. From what I remember, you mostly play fingerstyle, so that wouldn't be an issue.

Finally, the vintage look of a pickguard with a fancy top on a J Bass has always been a disconnect to me. When you combine that with all the beautiful wood that's covered up by the plastic.... it seems the 'standard' design would be perfect.

My 2 cents!
 
#148
KJung said:
I took a bad flash picture of this quilt and posted it a while back in this thread, but this picture does a much better job of showing the really nice quilt on this relatively early model MTD535.

quilt.gif
Click to expand...

Actually, I think that flash photos are not always bad, and in truth, that is an excellent photo of that bass (which I can say from seeing it in person, has a killer quilt top!). :)

Tom.
 

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