Making A Black P Bass Look More Interesting

Maybe go with a mint green pickguard and all black hardware?...that could be cool.

 

I've got to suggest a chrome scratchplate, always goes down well.

 

I would either go with a tort pickguard or black/white/black looks classy on a black body.

 

For me, the pickguard depends on the neck...

Black & Maple = BWB
Black & Rosewood = BWB or Tort

I've got both a maple and a rosewood, and both of them sport a BWB guard.

 

Black body, black pickguard, with maple neck is a winner with me.

 

+1

 

I like red and black together, so a red pickguard, or red pearl pickguard, looks good to me.

 

Play something really interesting on it, that always makes basses seem more interesting to me!

 

Mix and match pickguard color choices till You find something that suits You. Changing the pickguard on a P bass, can alter the entire look of the instrument and won't cost You a heck of a lot of cash.

 

I'm a jazz bass guy till the end. But I don't think there is anything more beautiful then a Black P Bass, with a Rosewood neck and a Tort pickguard. So damn sexy

 

Black w/ White Pickguard on a maple fingerboard is a little boring, but alright. I would never get a Black w/ White Pickguard and a ROSEWOOD fingerboard, as that makes the bass (to me, anyway) look like a cheap knockoff.

No matter what you go with, I suggest keeping Chrome hardware.

I would say if you have to go for a rosewood fingerboard, maybe put in a tortoise, red, or red pearl pickguard.
With a maple, I think you have more options. Shell or red pearl will look nice (I dunno about solid red). A gold pickguard will make it look chocolatey-caramel & 50'sish, a mirrored could be really cool. I also think blue pearl will look really good.

 

Add a pickup cover. See below.

 

I really like this idea.

I would also go with a tort or paisley print.

 

Bridge cover + pearloid pickguard.

 

Try a gold pickguard like on the '57 reissues. Those have always struck me as being underutilized.

 

Paint it red

 

i just finished this last weekend.

its got a mint green pick guard, but my camera makes it look white.

i wanted to put all black hardware on this bass, which i think looks awesome. but, it was easier to get nickel/chrome stuff, so thats the way i went.

a white body with black pick guard, and all black hardware would be awesome

3tsb body with a tort guard, maple neck and creme pickup would be cool

i also like to mismatch hardware, and kind of go for a mutt look

 

Black + Black + Maple

or

Black + Cream Pearloid + Maple

works for me.

The first is for serious rock.
The second is for any application.

Davo

 

Geezer Butler!

Another option is to use some of the DR neon colored strings - they really pop on a black and white bass.