Show us your Goldguard!

[Longwheelbass]

From the intro of the aluminum guard on sunburst P Basses in 58 through to now, I’ve always aspired to own one of these aesthetic beauties. In the 90’s I was teased a 58 model by a store owner in my home turf of Prahran, Melbourne even though it was way out of my wallet back then (and they still are!) I did get to play it though and it was the best bass sound I’d ever heard. Of course, visuals are only part of the appeal of a bass, but I’ve never forgotten the look and feel of a first run goldguard. And recently I collated enough parts ranging from 1965 through to 1972 and topped with an unidentifiable aluminum guard some dude gave me some 15 years ago. Whilst it doesn’t sound exactly like that 58 I remember, it does sound pretty close…

Anyhoo, feel free to chime in with pics of your OG 50’s goldguard P, or any other for that matter.

 

[57pbass]

1959

 

[DCErik]

Bought a used '98 Precision Special Deluxe this year and was ready to haaaaate the anodized pick guard, but it grew on me really fast and now I can't imagine not having it.

 

[crucislancer]

Just bought this last weekend:

 

[Eneade]

One of the few basses I regret selling

 

[PNW Tony]

Funny thing: If you look closely, you can see where the previous owner gouged the pickguard a bit with a screwdriver while adjusting the truss rod. For a long minute, I thought about buying a new pickguard. Then I realized, 'You d@mn dummy! This bass is SUPPOSED TO look damaged'. Took a second to wrap my head around this irony.

 

[Clark W]

2019 MIM Precision with a FCS 62 P pup, hipshot drop tuner, and gold aluminum guard. I still have the original pups and white plastic guard as well. Took the bass, with it's upgrades, in on trade back in Oct of 2020 from a fellow TB'er one state over from me with the intent on flipping it. I never put it up for sale. Matter of fact it's in the center of my profile pic.

 

[MegaSwing]

Meet my Vegas Streetwalker:

 

[El8ed]

My 1958 -- refinished and re-anodized pickguard

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

I no longer have the black 50s lacquer P. But still have an AV58, and RW.

If anyone has a 10 hole black anodized pickguard they want to unload, please hit me up.

 

[UntitledProject]

2012 honeyburst with mid 80s mij neck.

 

[alembicbones]

Here you go. '58 FCS P Bass.

Bones

 

[LHbassist]

CAR Fender Japan 2006 PB62 LH model, replaced the tuners and bridge to more period correct parts. EMG pickup, tug bar, gold import anodized guard.
Black bass is a Squier black sparkle body, and a super wide- 1-7/8" flamed maple neck and rosewood board I made, with a real dual acting truss rod.
A Genuine Fender lefty gold P-bass anodized guard! Rare as hen's teeth, and I have two of them! EMG P-J pickups, Tug bar, Allparts mystery bridge, and Schaller BM tuners.

 

[Goatrope]

By no means "OG". A 2013 AmStd.

 

[LHbassist]

AAAnnd.. my current top of the list rotation four string bass, my 'Davenbacker'- built in 2022. All Flamed Maple, and Walnut. All Hipshot hardware, Retrovibe trebel bezel, Creamery pickups, Audere preamp. It's 34" scale, neck through body with a real dual acting truss rod. It sounds great.
The pickguard, truss rod cover, jackplate, and side battery box cover are all from the same sheet of anodized gold aluminum. Pretty time consuming fabrication. I love the way it looks on this bass.

 

[Geri O]

I look forward to showing off my gold anodized aluminum pickguard when it arrives.

It’s being made in Australia. I’d have to look up the maker’s name. He was very thorough with making sure the template for this 5-string Precision was accurate. So I feel good about it fitting properly.

 

[madmikebassist]

This thread is straight GAS fuel!

 

[Iridescentone]

Here's my minty 12-58 that I scored in '84 for $1050. Originally it came from Fender with a cheezy gig bag, but the PO didn't want to pay the vintage dealer $75 extra for it. In his defense those bags were crap, but collectors are keen for all the parafernalia stuff. (tolex case in the pic was from a different Fender at the time)

 

[Iridescentone]

I'm a sucker for a gold ano guard, love it on CAR. From the Fender Japan Artist Series (1997) this Duck Dunn sig may go to the grave with me. Added the Hipshot bridge just to dress it up a little.

 

[metron]

Here is my 2000ish 57 reissue. I found it on GC mislabeled as a US Standard and priced accordingly. Ive never had a more stable neck on 50+ basses. Truss is flush with the heel. It doesn’t even shift with seasons. Really nice bass I almost passed on because it didnt come with a case.

Anyways here is the unlaquered gold ano. Ill say it - the texture makes me cringe a little. Its quintessential P bass tone though so I tolerate it.