Recommendations for pickguard?

[Pickngrin]

I just picked up this Austin (cheap Chinese Strat copy) last week through Craigslist ($50 with a TKL hard case). She plays really nicely (after I adjusted the action and intonation). I am thinking of changing the bridge pickup to a humbucker-sized P90 or something to that effect (probably changing the middle and neck pickups also). What type/color pickguard and covers would YOU choose? The bridge Mean 90 that I have is black. I don't know if that will look good, unless I go with a black pickguard. I was thinking of possibly tortoise. Opinions?

Thanks

 

[kidsmoke]

that's a pretty cool color. I'd go black.

 

[Tig]

Black should work. Check out the pickguards from Warmouth.
http://www.warmoth.com/Pickguard/StratPickguard.aspx

You can always change the pickup cover(s).
http://www.warmoth.com/Pickup-Covers-C73.aspx

 

[deeaa]

I would keep it white, the red/white looks good with the contrast, black would lack contrast and look cheap, IMO, on that kind of red. It'd have to be a brighter red or it'll look faded or pinkish next to the black, I'd guess.
If its 1-ply like it seems, I'd like to swap for a proper 3-ply pickguard for a noticeable improvement in 'quality' looks.

But I'd possibly change the rest of the PU covers black too, so all the pickups would be black...and maybe even black knobs.
But, I find it kinda cool to have a black bridge pup with no other mods too; just looks honestly hot-rodded.

 

[Pickngrin]

Thanks, guys. I was concerned that black would look a bit too 1980s. Dee, I like your idea of keeping a white pickguard. This one is 3 ply, actually, but I will need to get one with a bridge humbucker cutout. Guitar Fetish has the pickguard and covers pretty cheap.

 

[syo]

howzabout white pearl?

 

[deeaa]

Pearl would match the body color style quite perfectly, yeah....especially with white pickups...

 

[sunvalleylaw]

howzabout white pearl?

That is what I was going to say. That looks good to me.

 

[Pickngrin]

Your photo editing skills are much better than mine. How did you do the pearloid pickguard? I wanted to see what it would look like with the black pickup covers and the black Mean 90.

 

[kiteman]

Here's a snap of mine if it'll help.

By the way, does the cavity allow for the humbucker?

 

[Pickngrin]

Thanks, Kiteman. The cavity is indeed large enough for a humbucker-sized P90.

 

[BlackAngusYoung]

Nice wood colour. I like the white pearl idea and I like the pearl look to begin with in whatever colour.

Thought I'd mention this place I recently ordered some parts from called GuitarPartsOnline. I found them through their eBay store but ended up ordering directly from their site because I liked the shipping calculator there better. http://www.guitarpartsonline.com/index.php?cPath=34_80 should get you to their pickguard page. I think their prices and selection are really good.

 

[BlackAngusYoung]

GuitarPartsOnline (TNT Guitars)

I thought I'd mention this place I recently discovered. Ordered a few parts from them, which came quickly and seem good quality. Their selection and prices are really great. It's called GuitarPartsOnline and here's a link to their HSS pickguards.

I should mention that the purple trem cover I ordered from them doesn't seem to have as many black highlights as it appears on their photo or as my Fender brand pickguard does. Almost a match, though.

Also, I think that wood colour of your guitar looks great and I like the white pearl idea and the pearl look to begin with. They have a cream pearl that might be nice, too.... and regular or aged white pearl, black pearl is cool too. Actually, the mint might be complimentary on your guitar unless that's too Christmassy. They even have one called "chrome mirror!" And only $12 each. I found this place through their eBay store where I think they get most of their business but I liked the shipping calculator on their own site better.

 

[Pickngrin]

Thanks, Angus. I just checked their site and the pickguard with shipping costs just about what Guitar Fetish charges for the pickguard (without shipping). I will comb their site for other accessories. The mirror is nice, but just not my thing.

 

[progrmr]

that's a pretty cool color. I'd go black.

^^ This.

 

[Pickngrin]

I just found this cool guitar virtual design site: http://www.yajimastringworks.com/tct/yswtct-kisekae-e.asp and came up with these three color schemes. I think that I am leaning toward #2.

 

[BlackAngusYoung]

Hey, that virtual design site is cool!

Sorry about the double post. I couldn't see the first one on the forum and thought I did something wrong posting.
Yeah, I'd like the mirror thing for something very specifically glam-rock, but usually no. Just thought it was cool that they'd have something weird like that but I'd be leery of ordering it without seeing in real life anyways.

After seeing your images, I think the all-black design looks good and badass. I'd go with that idea.

 

[deeaa]

I also think black looks great, stylish and reservedly cool&grown up with the red on these, but doubt it'd work as well with the kinda off-red burgundy the guitar actually is. I'd go for #2 as well. It might look a little gimmicky or flashy, but I'm guessing that'll make for a more coherent look & style anyway.

The black does look much more...grown up & stylish, though....tough call...but, nope, yeah, I just can't imagine black would work with the actual guitar color so well. #2 is my fave, it's final

 

[Eric]

I like the all-black, even with the color of your guitar as-is. In fact, I think black pickguards are one of the looks I like best for strats.

 

[sunvalleylaw]

I am more a fan of No. 1. I think it blends together the best. Blacked out parts that are not on an otherwise dark toned guitar or guard look to me unfortunately, too much like the blacked out parts and bumpers on 80s cars. Just seem stuck on and not integrated visually to my taste. But that is just me.

Second choice for me would be the black pg and parts.

 

[Pickngrin]

I just can't decide (nor have I had the time to work on the guitar). I think I agree with you, Steve, about the blacked-out parts on a white pickguard looking a bit cheesy. Here's a pic with the pickguard digitally colored black:

 

[Eric]

I just can't decide (nor have I had the time to work on the guitar). I think I agree with you, Steve, about the blacked-out parts on a white pickguard looking a bit cheesy. Here's a pic with the pickguard digitally colored black:

Yeah dude, that looks even better than the "prototypes" you posted. I actually like that look a lot.

 

[BlackAngusYoung]

Yeah, that gets my vote!

 

[Pickngrin]

I finally got around to getting and swapping the pickguard. Unfortunately, I forgot to get black knobs. I got black pickup covers from GFS, but they don't fit the stockpups on this guitar. I plan to replace them with Rose Mariposas. I temporarily put on these cream knobs. What do you guys think of the cream knobs on the black/white/black pickguard? I decided against putting the Mean 90 in it and instead used a humbucker I had. The Burstbucker 3 sounds good in this one. I never had a fat Strat before.

 

[Eric]

I think it looks pretty good, but would look better with all black.

 

[Tig]

That looks good with the trans red. Knobs are easy to get.
:AOK

 

[deeaa]

All black would look classy, but I kinda like it with white knobs as well. Maybe pure white, though, rather than cream. Makes it look individual. All black might look better and nicer, but then again it gets this 'I wanna be an 80's metal strat' feeling a tad.

 

[Pickngrin]

All black would look classy, but I kinda like it with white knobs as well. Maybe pure white, though, rather than cream. Makes it look individual. All black might look better and nicer, but then again it gets this 'I wanna be an 80's metal strat' feeling a tad.

Yeah, I was trying to avoid that '80s metal strat' look.

 

[marnold]

Yeah, I was trying to avoid that '80s metal strat' look.

So diamond plate is out, then?

Naturally, I think the all-black/none-more-black look is hawt.

 

[Pickngrin]

So diamond plate is out, then?

Naturally, I think the all-black/none-more-black look is hawt.

Nice injection of a Nigelism. Funny, after my last post about wanting to avoid an 80s metal look, I thought I'd see a post from you...