I got a very similar one recently. I can't tell if it's a little too much on a black bass but I still love it.
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NPD (New Pickguard Day) - Spitfire Content
- Thread starter Mike Vee
- Start date
Oooo is that an American vintage hot rod? I think it looks awesome. I had that bass in natural. I really regret selling it.
Yeah I really like this bass. It's a great mix of vintage and modern characteristics.
Spitfire is fantastic, and used to be the only good modern tort. Another good ones now are Lava Guard and Avantguard. Avantguard in particular looks great to me, but when I wanted a good tort, Spitfire was the only way to go (apart from the genuine 60s tort).
Here's my Vintage Burgundy Subtle 60s:
Here's my Vintage Burgundy Subtle 60s:
Agree - Avantguard is really improving. Some of his early ones the tort layer was thick and overly rounded at the edges but he has gotten a lot better and is also starting to get more of the swirl type patterning of the originals vs the others which tend to be more blotchy/cloudy/smudged (why I've never confused one of these with an original - to be clear, a lot of what SF, etc are doing is cool on its own even if not being a clone of the early 60's stuff).
Recent Avantguard:
That's looking pretty good...
For comparison, an original - one of the '65ish transitional guards with PVC white and black layers but still celluloid tort layer:
Also, here's a guard made by friend Bravewood - all celluloid - not resin, etc. He also scratch built the neck and body:
Anyway, good that options are developing.
Last edited:
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,612
- 222,129
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
Yah, I just learned of Lava and they look good. Not familiar with Avauntguard. But like you, when I got mine Mark was to only one doing this sort of thing and it was the best alternative to $$$ vintage tort. That's the way it goes - someone starts the process, and others later do a version of it. I'm happy with my SF and have no need for another.
My only issue with Spitfire is the ordering process. For $300 you’d think he could afford a better web design. When you go to select your type of instrument it’s just a random assortment of guitars and basses mixed together. I didn’t see my bass at the time listed so I emailed Mike. Took him a month to reply and his reply didn’t make things anymore clear. So I gave up.
Right now let’s say I wanted one for my 2016 Am Standard P. The only close option I see is “13 hole Precision Bass (AVRI62/Vintage)”. Do those even have a notch for truss rod access? Do I specify that in the notes? Will it even fit?
For buying something $300 sight unseen his site doesn’t instill confidence in my decision to purchase.
Anyway the proof is in the pudding and his work is second to none. Clearly other people don’t seem to have this issue. I’ll get off my soapbox now.
Right now let’s say I wanted one for my 2016 Am Standard P. The only close option I see is “13 hole Precision Bass (AVRI62/Vintage)”. Do those even have a notch for truss rod access? Do I specify that in the notes? Will it even fit?
For buying something $300 sight unseen his site doesn’t instill confidence in my decision to purchase.
Anyway the proof is in the pudding and his work is second to none. Clearly other people don’t seem to have this issue. I’ll get off my soapbox now.
Natural headstocks are where it's at with Fenders, especially with Precisions.
Black headlock faces (ala Spectors) > than color-matched headstocks.
Color-matched headstocks are like cars with painted wheels.
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I’m def more of a guitar player than bass player. I have a couple of Spitfire guards and love them. My Marr Jaguar and my Thinskin ‘62 AVRI Jazzmaster.
