New look for my honey-blond Highway One Precision

The original plan for this bass was to provide a nice plain format to drop a Darkstar and a tortoise shell pickguard into. Several members have this bass in this finish and, from what I have read, it seems that most agree that although these basses sound and play very nice the stock white pickguard looks nasty against the honey-blond finish. Probably why I was able to pick this one up for $550.00 brand new. I figured it would be a good format for modification since they are nice basses and I wouldn't have a lot tied up in it if something went wrong while on the operating table.

After receiving the bass and having a chance to play it for a while it has really grown on me. Love the neck, weight and overall comfort and playability of the bass. So much so that I decided not to put the Darkstar in it. Did change the pickup as the picture shows but left it a P style. So now what to do about that ugly white pickguard? Like others here I decided a tortoise shell pickguard would still be the best look. Got one and installed it and was happy. But then I start to see them on a lot of these basses (get the hint Fender?) So then I started looking for something different and came across this... So what do you think?

POLL ADDED!​

Here are two versions of this bass. Let me know what you like better and why.​

Tortoise Shell​

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Rosewood​

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Can you not see the picture?

 

The actual picture, not a link, is at the bottom of the post. Anyone else having the same trouble. I can see it but then again I posted it so maybe that has something to do with it.

 

Now I think I got it right.

 

I uploaded it to esnips.com but for some reason it isn't showing up. Strange thing is that it shows up on the thread when i look at it. I'll try again tomorrow but need to go to bed now. Sorry for the tease.

 

Now can you see it?

 

*Yes it is rosewood
*Got it from Wood Guarden Pickguards on eBay
*It is cut to US Fender specs and with a little sanding on the neck pocket and notching it for the truss rod access it fit quite nicely.
*I thought about the scratches too. They tung-oil finish them but if it starts to show scratches I figure I can sand it down and maybe spray it with poly or something durable like that.