First world problems I know, but hey, it's a guitar forum.
This here is my EJ Strat, with which I am well pleased. But one thing about it bugs me disproportionately: while I'm sure it's an authentic 'Vintage' feature, the one-ply white scratch plate looks naff, cheap and nasty on what is otherwise a
muy elegante piece of kit.
On virtually anything else I'd stick tort on, because inside every tort guard rests a little piece of the soul of a 60's or 70's rocker who burned twice as bright but half as long, but having considered some mock-ups (samples below) I think that black may be more the thing. Or what about the dark delights of anodised? Wood? Embossed leather?
Any thoughts? Anyone got a burst/white pickup/black or tort guard combo of their own they are willing to show for compare and contrast purposes?
Oh, and it's also
sans those little felt washer thingies that protect the body from the strap pins being screwed in too tight. Anybody know where I can score a pair?
I think I have too much time on my hands... Anyway: examples!
Inactivist Lefty Lawyer
Comments
I would go for anodised, three-ply parchment or white pearl.
Don't use the little felt things, they prevent the strap buttons being screwed in properly tight. Tight is good when it's holding up an expensive guitar .
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Otherwise, check out Jacks Instrument Services in Manchester. I’m sure they could hook you up with a slightly less new looking white guard with an appropriate bevel and ply number. Of course they can also do tort, though even the high quality modern stuff has a bang of corn beefed off it in my opinion
But maybe a tastefully aged one would look good: https://crazyparts.de/art-of-aging/pickguards-for-fender/st-guards/aoa-50s-white-single-layer-strat-guard.php
Agree the black one is also a good look, but I wouldn't go for tort (personally).
Single ply white is fine for 50s authenticity, but that has an f-hole anyway.
@jerkmoans - That pic does make the s/plate look to clean/sterile - hence agree with @ICBM about finding a parchment s/plate
Good point re little felt washer thingies: hadn't thought of that.
Am googling anodised. Some a bit garish for what I'm after. Hmmm...
Yeah: I went nuts about 3 years ago and put a Spitfire on my Jazzmaster. What with import costs and all the rest of it, about the most expensive piece of plastic this side of Space Shuttle parts
Jacks' site is cool: almost spoilt for choice.
Nice idea: perhaps I could bury mine in the garden/let the dog play with it
F holes are the New Way. You heard it here first
Thanks for the suggestion
Well dur. Mixed with dayglo orange pickup covers and a puce headstock paint job.
*googles*
No harm in letting me have a look at the gold one...