Precision Bass Pick-guard - White or Black?

[Kex]

Have an American Precision Bass in black (rosewood neck) at the moment it has the original white pick-guard fitted, have never been sure about it and am thinking of changing it for a black three ply one. I know Fender did / does that Roger Waters Mexican made version, though that also got black hardware and a maple neck but i have no intention in changing anything else, in fact pretty sure RW's bass was not totally black !

Any thought welcome

[gary mac]

[url="https://flic.kr/p/FBFMGn"][/url]


For me it has to be black. Here's my latest one, it started life with a white guard but to me, looks so much better now.

[Kex]

Wow, not seen the helium version before :-)
Seriously, that does look great, but cant help wondering if its also because of that lovely maple neck?

[dannybuoy]

None of the above. Tort!

[police squad]

black, black, maple. very 1970s. I had a 79 like that. superb colour scheme.
Black, black, rosewood, also very classy.
Do it and post pictures please

[Deep Thought]

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1462296526' post='3041904']
None of the above. Tort!


[/quote]

That, I'm fairly sure, is my Mex Precision. If so, that scratchplate was replaced with a black one within a month of me buying it!

[Bobthedog]

Not a P but close enough to say black:

[Hobbayne]

Also the nice Sterling SUB Ray I got recently.

[Kex]

Did wonder about tortoiseshel myself but ........think I will go with black. Will take some photos when it arrives

[Kex]

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1462297619' post='3041919']
Also the nice Sterling SUB Ray I got recently.
[/quote]

Played one a bit like that in PMT Cardiff last Saturday, actually went to try a Rickenbacker as amazingly I had never played one. Actually disliked it (the Ric that was) ned was just weird and it all felt a bit cheap (which it was far from), so bloke handed me the Musicman, identical looking to yours. Was really impressed, I would go as far as to say it played as well as my Alembic and tonal range was amazing. On the down side pretty sure the pickguard wont fit a Precision :-)

Edited May 3, 2016 by Kex

[Rich]

With a maple neck, black/black.
With rosewood, black/tort.

[FinnDave]

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1462294280' post='3041872']
[url="https://flic.kr/p/FBFMGn"][/url]


For me it has to be black. Here's my latest one, it started life with a white guard but to me, looks so much better now.
[/quote]
I need one like that, it'll match my Jazz bass!

[attachment=218508:20160331_172906_resized.jpg

Edited May 3, 2016 by FinnDave

[GCYPbass]

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1462296526' post='3041904']
None of the above. Tort!


[/quote]

This ^

Or this anodized gold

Edited May 3, 2016 by GCYPbass

[TheGreek]

Why not a plate to match the fretboard? Dark brown???

[markdavid]

I vote... Black pearloid

I know the picture is lousy but you get the idea

Edited May 4, 2016 by markdavid

[Kex]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Black pearloid is a new one on me, also had not thought of matching the freatboard.... lots to ponder on :-)[/font][/color]

[MrBen]

Black on Black looks great. I might be a little bias though

[URL=http://s1132.photobucket.com/user/MrBen_101/media/stuff/jag-blackonblack_zpsgiiyufrn.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m564/MrBen_101/stuff/jag-blackonblack_zpsgiiyufrn.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[Kex]

Have to admit I do like the simplicity of black on black, and can see it works well with rosewood now

[Paul S]

Black. No question

[Kex]

[quote name='Paul S' timestamp='1462378329' post='3042548']
Black. No question
[/quote] Oh for a maple neck, that looks perfect, nicely aged etc

[MrBen]

[quote name='Kex' timestamp='1462377581' post='3042541']
Have to admit I do like the simplicity of black on black, and can see it works well with rosewood now
[/quote]

Yeah - I think my Jag looks great black on black with the white layer in the pickguard. Though I think it would look even better if it had a black headstock!

[Marc S]

I must say, I prefer black definitely if with maple board, but still nice with rosewood.
Tort looks superb on black too, esp with rosewood board

So black or tort, but definitely not white

[markdavid]

Imo white is only an acceptable pickguard cover if the bass is all white , white pickguards on black basses just remind me of cheap starter basses

[Deep Thought]

[quote name='markdavid' timestamp='1462396539' post='3042796']
Imo white is only an acceptable pickguard cover if the bass is all white , white pickguards on black basses just remind me of cheap starter basses
[/quote]

Entirely agree. My US Precision had a white scratchplate, I wouldn't take it home until the shop had put a black one on for me.

[Cosmo Valdemar]

[quote name='Rich' timestamp='1462299552' post='3041949']
With a maple neck, black/black.
With rosewood, black/tort.
[/quote]

This. I always think black/black with rosewood can look a nit drab. That said, I have no issue with white/black with rosewood, particularly if the covers are still on.