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NBD: DIY bass poll, pickguard or bare

To guard, or not to guard. That is the dillema.


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    150
I typically like pickguards on a Jazz, and don't understand the "Jaco" remove the guard thing. But in this case I would leave it off. What's the point of a rear routed Jazz if you are going to put a guard on it. And if you are going to do a guard I feel like you need the metal control plate too, just weird with the guard but no plate.
 
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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?
If you go pickguard but no control plate, then go black guard and black hardware.

Then there's always black pearl that works really well on that blue with nickel and chrome hardware.
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I don’t like pickguards. To me they’re just a way of hiding routing grooves and holes that don’t need to be on the front. The same goes for the front plate for controls. I like the top clean with just knobs and pickups and any wiring access needed through the back side. Also, If you believe that the top and body wood have any effect on the sound of the strings, then it seems a plastic pickguard would kind of defeat that.
I suppose if I swapped out the pickups and did a really sloppy job, I might have to put a pick guard on then to cover that up.
 
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Pickguard screws look stupid.

If you're gonna ruin a good thing with a piece of plastic, at least choose a pickguard that doesn't have pre-drilled screw holes, and find another way to attach it. (If you don't do this, at least use matte black screws for the black pickguard.)

If you ever sell it, you'll have more options, too, since it's rear-routed. The buyer will appreciate the options.
 
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I want to like it without a pickguard – especially since it’s not yet drilled, but I don’t know what it is about me and FSOs without pickguards…

Wait – yes I do know… it reminds me of the 80s. :laugh:

And I just sold my 1st bass in over 12 years, an '87 Jazz Bass Special in peal white.
Great Bass, but I like the traditional look of my (newer) Tony Franklins better.


But, this Bass is not a Fender, and with no holes, no control plate and a "darker" color - I would vote to leave it off. (for now ;))
 
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