NBD, with or with out pickguard?

[PennyroyalWe]

Picked up a used 2017 affinity jazz bass for the price of a Glarry today. It’s my first jazz bass, closest I had/have is a peavey foundation. It plays really well once I set it up, the strings seem pretty new too. It’s not my favorite sounding bass, but I suspect a change in pickups could do a world of good. Fun color, race red. Pretty stoked to find bass is routed so that it looks pretty good without the pg. So the question is, keep it on or take it off?

 

[SubHuman]

If the screws are already drilled I install. If it’s a virgin body I keep it virgin!

 

[Yahboy]

Dark tort.....

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

Dark tort.....

Agreed.

 

[motornap]

Looks great either way, but better without it imo

 

[PennyroyalWe]

Dark tort.....

Ooooo like the old CV 60’s p..... Dang, now I gotta hunt down one that fits the screw pattern.

 

[Yahboy]

Ooooo like the old CV 60’s p..... Dang, now I gotta hunt down one that fits the screw pattern.

Roadworn J actually..... hehe

 

[Riff Ranger]

Looks just enough out of the ordinary to really stand out without the guard, so I say go without.

I own three Squier instruments (one for the price of a Glarry), and yes, I think you will like yours better with different pickups. I see a Squier acquisition as a DI(S)Y* customization opportunity.

*”S” stands for “sorta”

 

[Peteyboy]

Black would look sharp on that. That's the beauty of pickguards: you can get a few and change them out when you feel like it!

 

[abarson]

It's not hiding any ugly routing: leave it off.

 

[FerK]

I am a big fan of a decent PG. To me, unless the bass has an outrageously beautiful wood grain, a bass without a pickguard is just anathema...wouldn't even touch it. I very seriously considered returning a custom Dingwall because it wasn't delivered with the pickguard I ordered (there was a mix-up with the dealer, and I never knew the pickguard wouldn't be an option, although I had ordered it). So I vote "WITH".

 

[funkinbottom]

Looks great both ways, however, I voted to keep the guard, but I would paint the headstock to match.

 

[whero]

With.

Just my opinion - many people disagree, and that's fine - but I've never liked the look of a Jazz bass without a pick guard. Something about that control plate with the knobs on, sitting there all by itself, looks wrong to me. Yes, even on Jaco tribute basses.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

... So the question is, keep it on or take it off? ...[/ATTACH]

Personally, I'd go for a pickguard, but not THAT pickguard. Maybe gold, or blue 'gator sparkle.

 

[TrevorG]

Sorry. I don't know why I feel this way but no pick guard is like going out with no underpants. I just don't need to hang that loose...

 

[boggus]

+1 to already voiced opinion that Black PG would look great

 

[Clark Westfield]

Silly question- has anybody ever tried just high end 3M tape under the pickgaurd and ditch putting screws into the body?

This way you can always convert it to whatever tastes suit you with no worries.

 

[Strung_Low]

Loks great without.. red or dark brown tort would look good too

 

[Funky Phantom]

Ooooo like the old CV 60’s p..... Dang, now I gotta hunt down one that fits the screw pattern.

I’ve got a C.V. 60’s P-bass in Fiesta red with tort p-guard.
Dropped a Duncan 57 p-up in it, put a gold bridge cover on it, and replaced the tort p-guard
with a white pearloid p-guard with gold screws, and gold tuners. Phat.

 

[Bleecker]

I’ve got a C.V. 60’s P-bass in Fiesta red with tort p-guard.
Dropped a Duncan 57 p-up in it, put a gold bridge cover on it, and replaced the tort p-guard
with a white pearloid p-guard with gold screws, and gold tuners. Phat.

Picture...or it didn't happen...lol