How do i fix this?

Branshen

Not a great pic but it looks like a burn mark plus and an "A" is scratched into the plastic. it's pretty deep. Anyone with a brilliant suggestion?

Dalefty

There are few things in life that can't be fixed with a few well placed blows from your trusty hammer or mallet.

Or is that stressful situations, it's one of the two ayway.

DaLefty

viz

So now we know what really happened to your fingers

ICBM

I can't see the pic - but is it damage to a pickguard, if it's "into the plastic"?

If so, replace the guard. There's no other practical way of doing a decent job... other than putting a sticker over it .

Sassafras

I can't see any pic either but if it's a scratchplate, it can be sanded and polished.

Jalapeno

No picture ...

Read this --> http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/14957/posting-pictures-a-little-help

Branshen

hmm. reuploaded. linking to google drive doesnt work. Might have been a permission problem. Cheers for the help guys.

@ICBM the pic works now. definitely no cure? 

@sassafras sand and polish a plastic scratchplate? I'll have a poke round the internet for examples/info on suitable sandpaper etc. cheers.

ICBM

Branshen said:

@ICBM the pic works now. definitely no cure?

Not really. You could sand and polish it as sassafras said, but the 'A' looks pretty deep, and you never get back the correct surface finish anyway - if that matters. Given the huge amount of effort it would take, the fact that it still won't look quite right and that it's a common pickguard shape and not expensive to replace, I would just replace it. You don't need to even take the pickup out or anything on a Jazz Bass.

If it's a sunburst Jazz you could improve it at the same time by putting a torty one on too...

WezV

I would probably just replace the guard.

 

I wouldn't be happy with a divot in place of the letter so it would mean re-levelling the whole thing.  Its 3-ply so more black will show through the deeper you go.  There is no easy way to fill it that will match nicely.  The discoloured area is quite large.

 

or course, you could try all the other solutions first and not really lose anything -  but i bet you end up replacing the guard or learning to live with the damage

Branshen

@ICBM Been watching Gran Torino lately?

Cheers fellas. I do like the idea of a tortoise guard. Or perhaps just duct tape over it, it doesn't have to look pristine, I jsut dont want to be associated with the punk movement. I'll have a think. 

ICBM

Branshen said:

@ICBM Been watching Gran Torino lately?

… Or perhaps just duct tape over it

True enough . It does still apply!

Jalapeno

ICBM said:

If it's a sunburst Jazz you could improve it at the same time by putting a torty one on too...

This.  Or not, but just get a replacement.  It's a £10 problem at most.

Keep the original if you think it has some magic cork sniffing properties worth retaining.

Branshen

I cant just order off the net right? Isnt there sizing problems like strat guards? I know those are a massive headache, having gone through the replacement of one before.

This is a knockoff westfield jazz bass.

Ianpdq

Sassafras said:

I can't see any pic either but if it's a scratchplate, it can be sanded and polished.

You could try some wet and dry paper and then Tcut it it might work

Maynehead

If it was me, before I replace the pickguard I might first try putting a bleach soaked rag on it overnight to see if it will get rid of the discolouration. Failing that, white nail polish followed by sanding and buffing. Will probably be far from perfect but might not look so noticeable from afar.

Sassafras

Ah, that looks more serious than I imagined so sanding it would take ages and the black would show through eventually.

speshul91

sheet of material from flea bay, use the old one as a template for your new one, job jobbed