Screw holes

[halibut]

I've just got a vintage style p bass with a tug bar on it (on the G string side). I'm an habitual thumb rester, and I'm really missing having a thumb rest. I find the pickups on it a tad too far back for using as a thumb rest, so I'm probably going to remove the tug and put on a thumb rest in the usual E string position.

Question is, does anyone have a neat way of sorting out the old screw holes in the pick guard that the tug bar will leave behind? Short of replacing the pick guard that is? I've toyed with the idea of cutting down the original tug bar screws and putting them back in, but has anyone got anything better?

[HowieBass]

I think screws filling the holes would look neater than just leaving them vacant. I doubt there'd be a way to fill the pickguard holes 'invisibly'.

[halibut]

It's the best I've thought up so far. I think any type of invisible repair would be too much to hope for. Just wondering if anyone had come up with anything clever for disguising them. Some kind of cover or something. Like a small version of the things that cover screws on flatpack furniture or somesuch.

[Norris]

You could always leave the original one there and just fit another for your thumb.

Or get a little personalised name plaque made to screw into the holes?

[Norris]

Actually you could probably make your own plaque by printing it on the computer and shoving it through a laminator. See my avatar - I made my own TRC to replace the original (and genuine)

[missis sumner]

Why not leave the tug bar and just add a thumb rest?

Or replace the pick guard, or even try to get some small grommet blanks?

[halibut]

Don't really fancy having the tug bar on at the same time as a thumb rest. Purely for cosmetic reasons. It would - to my eyes - look odd. Purely a matter of personal taste.

Pickguard replacement is possible and has been considered, but seems a bit like overkill for two small holes.

Now what are these grommets? Could you elaborate or point me in the right direction please?

[missis sumner]

Something like this:

https://www.grommets.co.uk/products/grommets/blind-rubber-grommets/

I don't know how small they go.

You've already mentioned these:
http://www.diy.com/departments/bq-cover-caps-w8mm-l5mm-pack-of-250/37707_BQ.prd?ecamp=Seapla&ppc_type=shopping&ds_kids=92700020305867213&gclid=CjwKEAjwjunJBRDzl6iCpoKS4G0SJACJAx-Vb4bT9pnIpbD3tERA7R_NIhJE1c_HCV6lSMlmWZQ-dRoC_A7w_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds.ds&dclid=CMHF5ITUsdQCFXME0wodxyoOSg

I think I'd try the screw caps.

To be honest, I'm fairly OCD, but I have open screw holes in my CSL bass pickguard, and even I don't notice them.

[henry norton]

I'd just go for putting the screws back in (or shorter versions). Anything else would look obvious and possibly a bit weird. Considering it's only 10 - 15 quid for a new pick guard you don't want to spend much on an alternative solution.

[missis sumner]

I've just thought - number plate screw covers?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/231521080196?chn=ps&dispItem=1&adgroupid=43333907642&rlsatarget=pla-300624029665&abcId=1088846&adtype=pla&merchantid=9861194&poi=&googleloc=1007230&device=c&campaignid=805983114&crdt=0

Screw on and clip the cap over?

[halibut]

Not sure I'd go with the number plate screw covers for covering the screw holes, but damn, that would make an ideal single screw thumbrest. I only really need something small to perch my thumb on, and it naturally goes to roughly where one of the pickguard screws are. Thanks for posting that.

[missis sumner]

[quote name='halibut' timestamp='1497095376' post='3315819']
Not sure I'd go with the number plate screw covers for covering the screw holes, but damn, that would make an ideal single screw thumbrest. I only really need something small to perch my thumb on, and it naturally goes to roughly where one of the pickguard screws are. Thanks for posting that.
[/quote]

If you wanted to make it higher, you could use a longer screw and a spacer:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-x-Jet-Black-Nylon-Plastic-SPACERS-Standoff-Washer-M2-M3-M4-M5-M6-M8-M10-M12-/272505748740?var=&hash=item3f729bbd04:m:mHlsiUJSKp3eLtxPNDpk12A

[Thunderbird]

Stick a pick holder over the hole

[Geek99]

what colour is the pickguard ? why not stick some same-coloured tape under the guard, so that you cant see the body colour grinning through