NBD, Fender Player Precision - keep or ditch the pick guard?

[Hank Scorpio]

I've played a number of the new Player line of instruments in shops - Ps, Jags & Jazzes, and I've liked the neck on them all, every one I've touched has played well (am I just on an insane lucky streak or are they great?), so decided I had to get one.

Browsing ebay, I saw one for a good price, with a few mods, namely a bridge cover and a new scratch plate. Bit more money knocked off, I pulled the trigger and here it is:

So, this pickguard - keep or ditch? I've got a black one I intended to throw on immediately, but I liked it more than I expected to. What would you do?

As for the bass itself, it's great! With the bridge cover off to change strings, it's just over the 8lb mark. It's now sporting a set of GHS Pressurewounds (first time using them), it's had a once over by an excellent local tech, and I'm looking forward to taking it to practice tomorrow.

 

[user362432]

Just in the case, you are cleaning shoes with dollar bills.

 

[jd56hawk]

Gold pickguard makes that bass.
Only one better than I can think of.

 

[matty1039]

Keep it, it gives it that late 50s vibe.

Also, Hank Scorpio rules.

 

[Levitamin]

Have you ever seen a man yell at a shoe, Homer?

That looks great. Don't change a thing.

 

[Sodbuster]

Anything but black. I never understood the white/black combo with a maple headstock look.

 

[Keger Jupit]

Normally I am the natural predator of pickguards...but that one looks really good! Keep the gold! (I must now go flog myself with a cat-of-nine-tails for suggesting someone keep a pickguard...)

 

[garp]

Replace the missing pickguard screw and call it a day.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

Replacing the missing pickguard screw and call it a day.

Due to the routing, there's nothing to actually screw it to, same with the lower of the pup cover holes.. might work out a way to pop a screw in place so it looks right, but that's just a mild OCD kinda thing

 

[garp]

Due to the routing, there's nothing to actually screw it to, same with the lower of the pup cover holes.. might work out a way to pop a screw in place so it looks right, but that's just a mild OCD kinda thing

Thanks for the clarification – I mistakenly presumed that the Players used identical routing to other MIMs, as my '50 Classic P came with an anodized gold pickguard.

 

[a-37]

My instinct said black but I rebelled and suggest you keep this one as it is.

 

[DoctorZee]

I’d be super curious to see WBW on there. As long as the white is a pretty close color match.

 

[Linnin]

Yet another vote to keep the gold for that classic late 1950's look with the bridge cover installed. I hope you like the GHS Pressurewounds. They're tangy. Not twangy.

 

[Wisebass]

hi Hank

I've got a black one I intended to throw on immediately

Black on white makes the bass fagile!

greetings

Wise(b)ass

 

[JRA]

sweet looking ax! i voted "black" as i am want to do, but it looks fantastic just the way it is! congratulations on your new instrument!

 

[ole Jason]

I love how the gold guards look but something about the texture of them makes my skin crawl

 

[bassliner50]

Play it for a while as is, then go tort.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I love how the gold looks - got one on my sunset orange translucent. Keep it.

 

[GDUBS]

Replace the missing pickguard screw and call it a day.

Good catch. I didnt notice that

 

[oranje]

MINT!