Modded Pre-CBS Pickguard Solution Needed

[jazz5757]

So I just snagged a '63 P bass with a jazz pickup added. My original intention was to part it out, the sum of the original parts would be a nice payday of sorts. However, the thing plays and sounds so good I'm likely going to keep it.

Whoever did the mod spliced a tort guard (not original, thank goodness) with another guard where the controls are. So there are 3 knobs and the jack. While functional, it looks like hell. Naturally, I don't want to either expand the control cavity or put a side jack in it, as I someday may want to return it to just being a straight p bass.

I started looking for guards but didn't see any good solutions. Perhaps it would be best to do some kind of stack-knob thing. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Slater]

There are P-Bass Deluxe pickguards that have 4 holes for the electronics, but I don’t know how well one would line up on a ‘63 P-Bass.

Also, what I have done several times, is order a pickguard from Warmoth with no control holes and then drilled them myself exactly where I wanted them.

 

[jazz5757]

There are P-Bass Deluxe pickguards that have 4 holes for the electronics, but I don’t know how well one would line up on a ‘63 P-Bass.

Also, what I have done several times, is order a pickguard from Warmoth with no control holes and then drilled them myself exactly where I wanted them.

Yep, from looking at the P bass Deluxe I can already tell that wouldn't line up well. I really like the Warmoth idea, though I've never drilled holes in a pickguard before. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[mikeswals]

Buy a guard that looks good and do the stack knob thing.

 

[jazz5757]

Buy a guard that looks good and do the stack knob thing.

Visually it would be much cleaner looking. I had a very early Nash P/J and that's what Bill did. Thanks.