thegummy Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 What's the difference between the scratchplates you can get on eBay for a tenner and the Fender ones that cost 50 quid? There's always going to be markup for Fender branded vs. generic but with such a huge difference I'm wondering if there's some fundamental difference? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12stringbassist Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 The Fender ones will usually fit the screw holes and body shape / other parts on the bass properly if you get the model right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 I disagree - I think that USED to be true I've bought a fair few cheapies and only had trouble fitting them to (some) jap stuff and squier affinity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 I've had a few of them from the Ebay seller, Guitars Electric. I've fitted them on Squiers and Japanese Fender bodies, these were the thirteen hole P bass ones, fitted perfectly, with no alterations or drilling of holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul h Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 I've just fitted an Aliexpress £2.99 mint scratchplate to a tele guitar copy. It fits (pretty much) and 3 of 8 of the holes lined up It's also a slightly slimey looking mint green. However... £2.99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 I just bought one for my Nate Mendel P bass from these guys after someone on here recommended them. Decent quality and a perfect fit. http://www.northwestguitars.co.uk/precision-bass-scratchplate-pickguard-for-fender-p-bass/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 I`ve bought a good few non-Fender ones, but for my latest US Precisions I have bought Fender and they are better quality. But, attached to the body of the bass, does it really make a difference - well yes, to my OCD of only wanting Fender parts on the bass it does. But in reality, nah, not really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegummy Posted June 9, 2016 Author Share Posted June 9, 2016 Thanks for the replies. So I take it the Fender ones are essentially just a cutout sheet of plastic with nothing special? Do the cheap ones have the tinfoil on the back like the proper ones? Makes me wonder, if they're charging that much markup on a cutout sheet of plastic, how much of the price of their guitars is nothing more than markup because people will pay for the brand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegummy Posted June 9, 2016 Author Share Posted June 9, 2016 [quote name='jezzaboy' timestamp='1465498339' post='3068835'] I just bought one for my Nate Mendel P bass from these guys after someone on here recommended them. Decent quality and a perfect fit. [url="http://www.northwestguitars.co.uk/precision-bass-scratchplate-pickguard-for-fender-p-bass/"]http://www.northwest...-fender-p-bass/[/url] [/quote] What colour did you get for your Mendel? Any pics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 [quote name='thegummy' timestamp='1465507866' post='3068935'] Thanks for the replies. So I take it the Fender ones are essentially just a cutout sheet of plastic with nothing special? Do the cheap ones have the tinfoil on the back like the proper ones? Makes me wonder, if they're charging that much markup on a cutout sheet of plastic, how much of the price of their guitars is nothing more than markup because people will pay for the brand? [/quote] yes - i don't see a lot of diifference - if you buy a fender one, you might get a truss rod cutout (as on US standard) but frankly you can do that in five minutes with a Dremel. £7 vs £45 quid makes me reach for the Dremel as I have small drains on my resources to feed. I [b]think[/b] the difference is that the cheap ones are a plastic film (talking tort here) over a white/black/white layered plate, whereas the more expensive tort ones are an actual coloured top layer . However I've never had a cheapie tear on me and no one can tell from more than an inch away. Yes they do have tinfoil and its perfectly adequate - if you want more you can just add it as long as you keep conductivity Probably quite a lot, I would say. I would seriously doubt that the Fender branded ones are hand made by seasoned professional plastic carvers deep in the Appalachian Mountains before being wafted over Leo's signature to acquire magic . Just churned out on a CNC machine somewhere like the cheap ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 (edited) Not all cheap ones come with foil - I have only ever bought 2 from eBay, both from different sellers, and neither had any shielding. Most cheap ones should fit well but of course some won't, so it's a gamble. But you can always send it back if it doesn't fit. If you are getting tort it's worth spending the extra. The proper stuff that's made from swirled up liquid plastics has a certain depth to it that you don't get from a printed replica. Edited June 10, 2016 by dannybuoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lw. Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 You can get good ones on ebay but you can get some absolute shockers! Other than the general shape/screw hole fitting some of the cheap tort ones look like sliced salami or are just printed whereas the Fender ones do at least have some depth & as ever on ebay you're not guaranteed the item shown in the picture is the one you're buying so it's hard to tell. It's obv less of an issue with plain ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegummy Posted June 10, 2016 Author Share Posted June 10, 2016 Seems that the tort ones are where it could be worth buying a proper one... shame because that's the one I'm considering lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machines Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 A cheap tort will look as such. Proper ones seem to have real depth to the pattern and don't look so 'printed'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 I just want a dark grey plate for my Jazz bass. Not finding one anywhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 [quote name='thegummy' timestamp='1465507890' post='3068936'] What colour did you get for your Mendel? Any pics? [/quote] Here is a pic. [attachment=221358:SAM_0886.JPG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painy Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1465727135' post='3070474'] I just want a dark grey plate for my Jazz bass. Not finding one anywhere [/quote] I covered the nasty cheap looking red tort guard on my Harley Benton with self adhessive vinyl. Cost about £2 and took all of 5 minutes including taking off the plate and putting it back on when I was done. Could just get a sheet off dark grey vinyl of eBay? Edited June 12, 2016 by Painy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 [quote name='Painy' timestamp='1465748473' post='3070698'] I covered the nasty cheap looking red tort guard on my Harley Benton with self adhessive vinyl. Cost about £2 and took all of 5 minutes including taking off the plate and putting it back on when I was done. Could just get a sheet off dark grey vinyl of eBay? [/quote] You, sir, are a flippin' genius!!! I never thought of that!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dunky Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 Ordered! Tell me.....how did you do it? Did you draw a template? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegummy Posted June 12, 2016 Author Share Posted June 12, 2016 [quote name='jezzaboy' timestamp='1465736949' post='3070601'] Here is a pic. [attachment=221358:SAM_0886.JPG] [/quote] Looks good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted June 12, 2016 Share Posted June 12, 2016 [quote name='thegummy' timestamp='1465750542' post='3070708'] Looks good! [/quote] It`s a nice minty white. All the screw holes lined up as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painy Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 [quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1465749571' post='3070704'] Ordered! Tell me.....how did you do it? Did you draw a template? [/quote] Just stick it straight on as it is (watch out for air bubbles though) then trim around carefully with a sharp blade like a Stanley knife keeping the flat of the blade against the beveled edge and run it all the way around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 Or sand it very gently I did this once using snake print paper / looked cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted June 13, 2016 Share Posted June 13, 2016 [quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1465543909' post='3069074'] Probably quite a lot, I would say. I would seriously doubt that the Fender branded ones are hand made by seasoned professional plastic carvers deep in the Appalachian Mountains before being wafted over Leo's signature to acquire magic. [/quote] Is that the northern Appalachian mountains or the southern Appalachians? I wouldn't touch those southern ones with a barge pole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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