Should I add a pickguard to my Lakland

[KidBanjo]

I have a lovely sounding Lakland 4401, but I've never been 100% happy with the look of it.
I got it as a little present to myself for getting a new job a few years back. I wanted a nice traditional looking Jazz bass. I should have got it in black as that's more me but was offered it for less in sunburst so took it. And have regretted a little it ever since.

I've always prefered basses with pickguards so should I...

a.

b.

c.

G]

(excuse the rough images, you get the idea)

 

[David Jayne]

I think 'B' looks pretty good. Just don't use screws, because at some point you'll probably change your mind. Double-stick tape works fine.

 

[GhettoBrassGuy]

I like the looks of the Lakies with pickguards. This is what I did to mine...I prefer the guard without the part over the lower horn, but if you're going for the jazz look go with option B for sure.

 

[Bassflute]

I have a lovely sounding Lakland 4401, but I've never been 100% happy with the look of it.
I got it as a little present to myself for getting a new job a few years back. I wanted a nice traditional looking Jazz bass. I should have got it in black as that's more me but was offered it for less in sunburst so took it. And have regretted a little it ever since.

I've always prefered basses with pickguards so should I...

a.

b.

c.

G]

(excuse the rough images, you get the idea)

Saw the headstock off, put a Steinberger bridge on it and turn it into a headless, then, put a split whammy bar on it and paint it pink.

Problem solved!

I'm here for you, man, anytime!

Cheers,
Cameron

 

[funk generator]

none of the above go tort

 

[Lambic]

Although I suppose that at Lakland they know what they're doing and why they design something a certain way, I like the second (small) pickguard a lot: it balances the overall look quite nice, and makes the version below look like if something is missing! They might steal your idea if someone there sees this!

Not fond of the 50's P-ish first PG: looks terrific on a vintage P, but not on this particular bass, as if someone was trying to cover up something!

 

[BeauZooka]

Bassflute hit it out of the park! Classic.

 

[TobyBass55]

My first thought was the small pick guard b, but then looking at it longer, the pickguard started looking out of place to me. So, I voted "leave it alone".

 

[Justin Tuskey]

clear guard. possibly the best of both worlds.

 

[stantonl]

I've had this thought many times looking at my 44-01, but finally came to the conclusion that I like it as is, no pickguard.

 

[RaginRog]

I like B...voted B...but I think you should probably leave it alone.

 

[thombo]

i think choice 1 will improve your playing the most.

 

[MrRiff]

Laklands look great with pickguards, back in the day the US classic model came with pickguards. I had a 44-02 natural with a tort guard and it looked great.

 

[MattyH]

"B" with a tort guard.

 

[aproud1]

"B" with a tort guard.

+1

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Pickguard 1 is fugly.

me, I like pickguards to narrow the gap between the body and the strings, but on nice wood I'd prefer a clear one...

 

[mc_muench]

Im the only vote for A


EDIT: Im not the only crazy person! A for life!

 

[funkingroovin]

I'm with ya mc_muench,I like the way it accents the action of the grain. Kind of a reverse-Marcus Miller thing goin too..Not that there's anything wrong with the Jazz PG,or none at all,But everyone's seen a jazz bass,and the best graining is in the lower bout anyway..

 

[pghjeeper]

What about a white pick-guard I had a Fender P back in the 80's with a burst and white pickguard and I loved the look

 

[Electra Player]

I like a best.

Also, sunbursts and tort are ugly enough alone, don't make it worse by combining them!