Scratch-It! Custom scratch plates

[Osiris]

I'm sure I've seen threads about Scratch-It on Basschat before but a search doesn't pull back the results I was looking for, so here's a new thread!

 

This afternoon I received a new, personalised scratch plate from Scratch-It! https://www.originalscratchplates.com/

 

It was designed for, and is now fitted it to, my cheap and now cheerful Harley Benton Mustang bass. The new plate looks absolute class, IMO, and is a perfect fit. Not being a fan of tort scratch plates, the stock tort plate didn't do it for me and it especially clashed against the lush sea foam green of the Homer Benton ©️. I knew when buying the bass that the first upgrade was always going to be the scratch plate so had budgeted accordingly. My original intention was a plain 3 ply B/W/B plate but the quotes I got from the well known suppliers were a lot more than I was expecting.

 

A couple of mates had had work done by Tim at Scratch-It in the past so he came highly recommended, so I took a look at the website.The website didn't have a template for the HB Mustang (Harley Benton MV-4MSB Gotoh) which isn't really a surprise as it's only been on the market for a couple of months so I dropped Tim a line to discuss what I was looking for. At all times from initial contact to delivery communication was quick, friendly, and helpful. I'd knocked up a crude mock-up of what I was looking for in PowerPoint - yeah, I know, but I don't have any dedicated graphic design software and wouldn't know what to do with it even if I had - and emailed it through with an explanation of what I was trying to create. Tim immediately understood what I was aiming for and a couple of hours later had emailed back a mock up of my design which nailed the image I had in mind and also sorted out a couple of imperfections in my original kack-handed design. And the finished product was through my door in under 2 weeks, not bad. Not bad at all. Especially considering it's a totally original design and was under £40 including delivery - and that included the mock ups, fine tuning my original idea, laser cutting the new plate from my original to ensure an exact replica and a perfect fit (none of your hand cut imperfect tat here thank you very much) as well as postage costs.

 

Basschat is a great community when it comes to recognising exceptional customer service and Tim and Scratch-It are up there with the A-listers.

 

Here's one we prepared earlier. 

 

 

 

Edited March 5, 2023 by Osiris
New picture

[velvetkevorkian]

Nice, is the image printed directly on to the plate?

[PaulThePlug]

Nice... i think they are clear plates, with an image or colour applied to the rear... so a lot more resilient...

Edited March 4, 2023 by PaulThePlug

[Osiris]

18 minutes ago, velvetkevorkian said:

Nice, is the image printed directly on to the plate?

 

1 minute ago, PaulThePlug said:

Nice... i think they are clear plates, with an image or colour applied to the rear... so a lot more resilient...

 

As I understand it, it's a separate image that is bonded to the rear of a sheet of 2mm thick transparent, shatterproof acrylic. It certainly looks and feels as sturdy as any other scratch plate I've come across in the past 40 odd years! 

[lee650]

Tim's a great guy! He made me a clear acrylic pickguard, for a musicman Sterling which had a particularly Beautiful grain. Fast service and the guard was spot on.

[fretmeister]

He made me a couple of Strat plates too.

Great service.

[Skybone]

I had a few plates & TRC's off Tim for various Rockinbetter basses. Top service.

[TimAl]

Hey guys, thanks for all the very kind comments & THANK YOU SID!

Fantastic to see him in his new home - brilliant concept!

 

-

 

To confirm, my plates are indeed produced by bonding hi-res full-colour printed exterior vinyl to the rear of clear shatterproof acrylic - so are fully protected from blood, sweat ’n’ beers . . .

 

Cheers all

Tim

[stewblack]

On 04/03/2023 at 19:13, Osiris said:

I'm sure I've seen threads about Scratch-It on Basschat before but a search doesn't pull back the results I was looking for, so here's a new thread!

 

This afternoon I received a new, personalised scratch plate from Scratch-It! https://www.originalscratchplates.com/

 

It was designed for, and is now fitted it to, my cheap and now cheerful Harley Benton Mustang bass. The new plate looks absolute class, IMO, and is a perfect fit. Not being a fan of tort scratch plates, the stock tort plate didn't do it for me and it especially clashed against the lush sea foam green of the Homer Benton ©️. I knew when buying the bass that the first upgrade was always going to be the scratch plate so had budgeted accordingly. My original intention was a plain 3 ply B/W/B plate but the quotes I got from the well known suppliers were a lot more than I was expecting.

 

A couple of mates had had work done by Tim at Scratch-It in the past so he came highly recommended, so I took a look at the website.The website didn't have a template for the HB Mustang (Harley Benton MV-4MSB Gotoh) which isn't really a surprise as it's only been on the market for a couple of months so I dropped Tim a line to discuss what I was looking for. At all times from initial contact to delivery communication was quick, friendly, and helpful. I'd knocked up a crude mock-up of what I was looking for in PowerPoint - yeah, I know, but I don't have any dedicated graphic design software and wouldn't know what to do with it even if I had - and emailed it through with an explanation of what I was trying to create. Tim immediately understood what I was aiming for and a couple of hours later had emailed back a mock up of my design which nailed the image I had in mind and also sorted out a couple of imperfections in my original kack-handed design. And the finished product was through my door in under 2 weeks, not bad. Not bad at all. Especially considering it's a totally original design and was under £40 including delivery - and that included the mock ups, fine tuning my original idea, laser cutting the new plate from my original to ensure an exact replica and a perfect fit (none of your hand cut imperfect tat here thank you very much) as well as postage costs.

 

Basschat is a great community when it comes to recognising exceptional customer service and Tim and Scratch-It are up there with the A-listers.

 

Here's one we prepared earlier. 

 

 

 

That is amazing. Thank you for sharing. I shall be sending some of my hard earned his way 

[Baloney Balderdash]

I have actually toyed with the idea of adding a pickguard to my beloved Ibanez Mikro Bass, which doesn't come with any form of pickguard from stock.

 

Either identical to the one of the Ibanez SR Mezzo, as that one has the same basic body shape as the Mikro and both have a P/J pickup configuration as well, though the Mikro P is reverse orientation, the Mezzo is not, also the Mikro body being scaled down to fit it's just 28.6" scale length, or a semi (kind of crooked) circle one, just covering the area where the controls are.

 

The issue however is getting the exact measurements and making a precise template, for it to be possible having a custom pickguard made.

 

But if I can somehow solve that issue I might order one in the future.

 

In any case a amazing concept and service to offer. 

 

Thanks for making me aware of the existence of this.

 

 

Edited March 16, 2023 by Baloney Balderdash

[AndyTravis]

@Baloney Balderdash - I must say, Tim is a genius when it comes to fabricating for basses without pickguards.

 

He’s helped me with some previously.

 

you can make a paper template (or card) and he can work from that.

[TimAl]

On 11/03/2023 at 11:53, Baloney Balderdash said:

I have actually toyed with the idea of adding a pickguard to my beloved Ibanez Mikro Bass, which doesn't come with any form of pickguard from stock.

 

Either identical to the one of the Ibanez SR Mezzo, as that one has the same basic body shape as the Mikro, the Mikro body just being scaled down to fit it's just 28.6" scale length, or a semi (kind of crooked) circle one, just covering the area where the controls are.

 

The issue however is getting the exact measurements and making a precise template, for it to be possible having a custom pickguard made.

 

But if I can somehow solve that issue I might order one in the future.

 

In any case a amazing concept and service to offer. 

 

Thanks for making me aware of the existence of this.

 

 

As Andy says, we’ve played with some beauties previously & anything’s possible!

 

Ok, howdy Baloney 👋

 

I’d be delighted to help - & although it does take a little bit of work it’s certainly ‘do-able’ as long as you have a pen, paper, scissors, printer & scanner.

 

‘Simply’ unscrew your pickups which will hopefully give you enough room for you to make a modern-day version of a brass rubbing on a piece of paper - so you end up with a nice template for your pickup routing which I can use to insert templates for Precision split coils accurately.

 

Then roughly draw the shape you like as the perimeter of the plate on this paper & scan the whole lot to me as a 300dpi greyscale photograph & Email me the resulting JPEG. I can trace that - AND SMOOTH ANY CURVES TO GIVE AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE VISUAL MATCH TO THE SR MEZZO; plus I can add in screw mount holes or you could use double-sided tape or White Tack to fix in place, keeping your body hopeless should you prefer.

 

Anything’s possible - & the design/colour of your new plate is only limited by your imagination & perhaps the printing process itself!

 

Shout if you’re interested & I’ll walk you though all.

 

Cheers

T

Edited March 16, 2023 by TimAl

[Baloney Balderdash]

11 minutes ago, TimAl said:

As Andy says, we’ve played with some beauties previously & anything’s possible!

 

Ok, howdy Baloney 👋

 

I’d be delighted to help - & although it does take a little bit of work it’s certainly ‘do-able’ as long as you have a pen, paper, scissors, printer & scanner.

 

‘Simply’ unscrew your pickups which will hopefully give you enough room for you to make a modern-day version of a brass rubbing on a piece of paper - so you end up with a nice template for your pickup routing which I can use to insert templates for Precision split coils accurately.

 

Then roughly draw the shape you like as the perimeter of the plate on this paper & scan the whole lot to me as a 300dpi greyscale photograph & Email me the resulting JPEG. I can trace that - AND SMOOTH ANY CURVES TO GIVE AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE VISUAL MATCH TO THE SR MEZZO; plus I can add in screw mount holes or you could use double-sided tape or White Tack to fix in place, keeping your body hopeless should you prefer.

 

Anything’s possible - & the design/colour of your new plate is only limited by your imagination & perhaps the printing process itself!

 

Shout if you’re interested & I’ll walk you though all.

 

Cheers

T

Awesome!

 

Thanks. 

 

Will definitely consider this.

 

Might take a while before I decide and gets around making a template though.

 

But nice to know it is doable, and as said, regardless I think you offer an amazing service for people who desire to personalize their instruments (which I am a big fan of).

 

Oh, and just to know my options and limitations, are colored transparent pickguards and option as well?

 

 

Edited March 16, 2023 by Baloney Balderdash

[TimAl]

1 hour ago, Baloney Balderdash said:

Awesome!

 

Thanks. 

 

Will definitely consider this.

 

Might take a while before I decide and gets around making a template though.

 

But nice to know it is doable, and as said, regardless I think you offer an amazing service for people who desire to personalize their instruments (which I am a big fan of).

 

Oh, and just to know my options and limitations, are colored transparent pickguards and option as well?

 

 

Brilliant - just shout whenever you be ready.

Transparent/translucent isn't a viable option for me I'm afraid - as my plates are produced by bonding full-colour printed opaque vinyl to the rear of clear acrylic, so are opaque. If you're looking for a straight-forward piece of custom cut acrylic I'd suggest someone like Steve @ Tiny Tone in Manchester, who specialises in those kinds of finishes & no doubt could handle the template too if you decide to go that route.

Not pushing you away at all, just ensuring you get the right guy for the job!

Cheers
T

[gazhowe]

I've just received my first scratch plate from Tim and I must say I'm really impressed.  I love the colour and it fits perfectly.  Great communications throughout and I received it only nine days after ordering. I'll definitely be ordering another.😎

[TimAl]

Now this is most definitely music to my ears!

Thanks Gary - appreciate your kind words & what a stunner you have there - beautiful & terrific choice of plate to complement the natural finish.

Lovely
T

[TimAl]

Just as an aside, here's some shots of my own JMJ . . .

I'm constantly astonished by how something so 'simple' can utterly change the vibe.

Taste is subjective, & it's horses for courses of course, but each to their own & long may we be able to express ourselves freely eh 🙌

Cheers all
T

[Osiris]

15 minutes ago, TimAl said:

Just as an aside, here's some shots of my own JMJ . . .

I'm constantly astonished by how something so 'simple' can utterly change the vibe.

Taste is subjective, & it's horses for courses of course, but each to their own & long may we be able to express ourselves freely eh 🙌

Cheers all
T

 

Bugger you, Tim, I'm hankering for a new scratch plate for my JMJ too now 🤣🤣🤣

[TimAl]

2 minutes ago, Osiris said:

 

Bugger you, Tim, I'm hankering for a new scratch plate for my JMJ too now 🤣🤣🤣

DO IT DO IT DO IT!

😂😂😂

Seriously, I don't know why but I've never been a fan of white pearl - yeah yeah, I know it's contentious - plus TBH I'm not a massive fan of the relic'ing either, but well, it'd be rude not to eh . . . 🥸

 

[rushbo]

19 minutes ago, TimAl said:

 

 

I can't say I've ever been a huge fan of the JMJ Fender, or pickguards in anything other than tort, but that is bloody gorgeous. The word "groovy" springs to mind.

 

 

 

[Osiris]

2 hours ago, TimAl said:

DO IT DO IT DO IT!

😂😂😂

Seriously, I don't know why but I've never been a fan of white pearl - yeah yeah, I know it's contentious - plus TBH I'm not a massive fan of the relic'ing either, but well, it'd be rude not to eh . . . 🥸

 

 

I don't mind white pearl so much, it's the red and brown tort monstrosities that make my eyes bleed 🤣 but each to their own.

 

Same here, not fussed about the fake road worn look of the JMJ but it's the neck and the pickup that make the bass something special, IMO. Mine is the black version and I've kept the white plate on it as my other main gigging bass is all black with a black plate too, as is one of my other basses, so I've kept the white pearloid plate on the JMJ for a bit of variety. But I can see that Matrix cascading numbers image looking perfect on it. Need to ponder... 🤔

Edited March 17, 2023 by Osiris
clarity

[Baloney Balderdash]

4 hours ago, TimAl said:

Just as an aside, here's some shots of my own JMJ . . .

I'm constantly astonished by how something so 'simple' can utterly change the vibe.

Taste is subjective, & it's horses for courses of course, but each to their own & long may we be able to express ourselves freely eh 🙌

Cheers all
T

 

Love how the 3rd plate looks isolated, but for this bass in specific the 1st and 4th looks just absolutely perfect.

 

Edited March 17, 2023 by Baloney Balderdash

[ezbass]

4 hours ago, TimAl said:

Just as an aside, here's some shots of my own JMJ . . .

I'm constantly astonished by how something so 'simple' can utterly change the vibe.

Taste is subjective, & it's horses for courses of course, but each to their own & long may we be able to express ourselves freely eh 🙌

Cheers all
T

I recognise those pickguards from the FB Mustang group. I didn’t realise that you manufactured them yourself (or didn’t read properly). The 3rd and 4th ones are my particular favourites.

[TimAl]

1 hour ago, ezbass said:

I recognise those pickguards from the FB Mustang group. I didn’t realise that you manufactured them yourself (or didn’t read properly). The 3rd and 4th ones are my particular favourites.

Ah yes, absolutely right!

I did indeed post to try to stress I wasn't there to simply punt my wares, but to vent my creative juices 👌 

[TimAl]

3 hours ago, Osiris said:

 

I don't mind white pearl so much, it's the red and brown tort monstrosities that make my eyes bleed 🤣 but each to their own.

 

Same here, not fussed about the fake road worn look of the JMJ but it's the neck and the pickup that make the bass something special, IMO. Mine is the black version and I've kept the white plate on it as my other main gigging bass is all black with a black plate too, as is one of my other basses, so I've kept the white pearloid plate on the JMJ for a bit of variety. But I can see that Matrix cascading numbers image looking perfect on it. Need to ponder... 🤔

Yup, tort isn't high on my list either, but each to their own eh.

Completely agree about neck & pickup - they are fantastic! I looked for a black one for YONKS, but of course they all were hiding then & only came out to play the moment I had the blue one! I've always gone for black, black 'n' maple, so this is somewhat of a change for me - but actually enjoying having a bit of colour in my life now . . .