scratchplate material...? Would polished stainless steel be OK? or must it be plastic?

[Jabba The Hutt]

Folks,

I have a 2009 Musicman Stingray HS and the I wanted to change the scratchplate because the current one is badly worn.
My colleague has offered to make me a new one from mirror polished stainless steel which I think would look ace.

Will this material be ok with the pick-ups or does it have to be plastic? I can't get an off the shelf replacement because HS scratchplates are harder to come by it seems. OK if you're in the US but not if you're in the UK.

My apologies for asking such a basic question this but I wanted to check with you more knowledgeable folk before getting it made only to find out that this material will affect the operation of my bass. If stainless steel is OK should the scratchplate's mounting surface be lined with any other material??

Please can you advise.

Many thanks & regards,

Lionel

[SteveO]

Coincidently I stood on my lead on Friday whilst running across the stage resulting in a broken scratchplate, and as I have a load of stainless plate in the workshop I thought I'd make one today, and see what it looks like. I can't imagine there's going to be any problems - some scratchplates are shielded on the inside with foil anyway, but If there's any issues I'll let you know.

[Jabba The Hutt]

Hi Steve, Thanks for this mate - much appreciated :-)

[SteveO]

I seem to remember someone on talkbass once said that fenders originally had steel scratchplates, but this might be either bullshit, or my bad memory. anyway, off to work...

[LukeFRC]

fender had the anodised aluminium ones in 50's-60's (or whenever) for some models. Work well in my exp, I fitted one to my P bass. Was good for recording as easy to make sure it was grounded.

[Nibody]

I've had three metal ones - two solid brass, one chrome plated brass. No issues whatsoever on a P, guess it would be no difference with a MM.

[waynepunkdude]

Do they not a weigh a sh*t load?

[Ou7shined]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' timestamp='1335771981' post='1635570']
Do they not a weigh a sh*t load?
[/quote]

They do.

[clauster]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' timestamp='1335771981' post='1635570']
Do they not a weigh a sh*t load?
[/quote]

A point I was about to clarify. I had a P bass with a polished SS pickguard. Weighed a lot. (looked cool as f*ck though and easy to keep shiny )

[Jabba The Hutt]

cheers :-) thanks for the thumbs up! :-)

[Dom in Dorset]

I've used aluminium with no problems.
My fretless jazz has a plywood one.

[TheGreek]

Early Wals had leather scratch plates - really looked the part..

[6feet7]

I've a polished stainless steel one (thin and light) on my Ricky bass - looks wonderful - everyone makes (good) comments about it.

[waynepunkdude]

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1335867174' post='1637078']
Early Wals had leather scratch plates - really looked the part..
[/quote]

Did it make them look less like a Westone?

[Ou7shined]

[quote name='waynepunkdude' timestamp='1335771981' post='1635570']
Do they not a weigh a sh*t load?
[/quote]

Just tried the chrome (on steel by the looks of it) one that I've had hanging on the workshop wall for ages on my digi scales... [b]45.2g[/b]

... bought it off one of the mods off here come to think of it

[Jabba The Hutt]

Thanks guys for the reassurances - much appreciated!! :-)

[3below]

My former John Birch EB3 type had stainless plate.... looked cool. Current G&L SB1 has the metal plate with black crinkle stuff finish. 27? yrs old, seems just fine.