NBD: DIY bass poll, pickguard or bare

[CodyMonster]

So I'm at the point where I either drill a bunch of holes or keep the top nice and clean.

Which of these two would you pick?

 

[Ghastly]

Both ways is fine but without looks more interesting, imo.

 

[CletusMarley]

I like it with.

 

[KevinDBassist]

With

 

[Bleecker]

I voted no way, either looks good but drilling the holes in that would be hard for me.

Good luck!

 

[mouthmw]

Looks better to me with. But - if you’ll also have a control plate. If not, maybe better without the guard or have a slightly different, rounded shape of guard towards the controls.

 

[HalfManHalfBass]

Without a control panel also fitted, a pick guard only bass makes a bass look like a 'parts' bass to me.

I would leave it off.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

So I'm at the point where I either drill a bunch of holes or keep the top nice and clean.

Which of these two would you pick?

A pickguard without a control plate looks odd on a jazz. IMO. I'd keep it bare. Or add a plate in addition to the guard.

Up to you, ultimately... It's your bass. You're the one that has to look at it.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

So I'm at the point where I either drill a bunch of holes or keep the top nice and clean.

Which of these two would you pick?

Hmmm I wonder.

 

[Pings Bass]

I guess if you play with a pick it would serve a purpose, otherwise, nah

 

[singlemalt]

Looks better without. Even if you are a dedicated, pinky digging, slapper, it’ll take years to do real damage to the clear coat. But I’ve put really annoying swirls and light scratches on a black pick guard in just an hour.

What, exactly, is the thinking behind making a pickguard out of a soft, easily abraded material?

I’ve never liked pickguards.

 

[waynobass]

Confusing poll. Can the choices be simply Yes guard and No guard?

I would vote Yes.

 

[kentiki]

It looks good both ways, but you spent cash not to need a control plate.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

Step away from the drill and nobody gets hurt!

 

[BEADG63]

Without (IMHO). Of the 14 basses I currently own, none of my favorites sport pick guards. I prefer the clean lines.

 

[Jeff K]

Without (IMHO). Of the 14 basses I currently own, none of my favorites sport pick guards. I prefer the clean lines.

I'm just the opposite. I love the contrast that a pick guard provides. Of course most of my basses are Fenders or Fender-like.

On a Warwick, Spector, or something like that the "no-pickguard" look works well. But on Fender-styled basses, I much prefer a guard.

 

[arbiterusa]

No guard

 

[Lackey]

What kinda pickups are those? Nordstrand?

I could see it either way... But go sans first. Can always add later.

 

[Blackjac97]

Part of it for me depends on the rest of the bass as well. I tend to say bare and thats how i voted (No way!), but the right fingerboard material/inlays/matching-headstock-or-not combination could change my mind

 

[Passinwind]

No plastic cooties on me.