Reverb Fender '74 purchase

[Geek99]

I always use sticky copper tape to hold the bridge wire in place 

[andytoad]

1 hour ago, Geek99 said:

I always use sticky copper tape to hold the bridge wire in place 

That's a good idea actually!

[Geek99]

36 minutes ago, andytoad said:

That's a good idea actually!

One strip under the wire, onto body, then the wire splayed out, then a second copper tape strip to keep it in place should you remove the bridge 

[Sauron_]

That bridge gives me tetanus....

[andytoad]

26 minutes ago, Sauron_ said:

That bridge gives me tetanus....

It literally has started a new pandemic 😆

[Obra]

I would do everything to save and keep that old cool bridge

[andytoad]

Sorry all, been abit pre occupied, anyhoo, been progressing this in the background...

 

1. Tested and installed the originals electrics, pickups, pots, jack etc.. added a fresh earth

2. Stuck with the rabid bridge, it's grown on me (literally some sort of symbiote).

3. Neck back on, deep talking flats added.

4. Pickguard gate - I went with a roughed up black, the ply white is too white, any suggestions? I set the screws in as they were protruding a little too much. Amateur relic job, passable or nah? Honest opinions welcome, I won't cry.

5. Forgot to reinstall the thumb rest holes so need to do that, PG off again! Missing a PG screw as it snapped during Removal, it felt like it was glued in by the jack hole originally, probably over screwed in the past or something hence the bodge fix?! 

6. @ossyrocks kindly lent me some of his body cleaner, ive given it a good go, but dunno if the old girl is for turning.. 😆

 

If anyone has a rusty PG screw available I'd love to snaffle it, same with any 'better' Pickguards 🙂.

 

 

[andytoad]

Just noticed the second to last image is a fantastic shot of the hercules stand foot 😁

[police squad]

I recently picked up a tort guard from Earlpilanz on ebay. He's away atm

I'll post a picture of it when I get home

[ossyrocks]

@andytoad re the pickguard white ply being too white. You could try to take the gloss off the edge and round over and age the sharp edges with some fine wire wool. Then I would try to dye the edge with something like a wood dye rubbed in using a cloth. I'll be brutally honest though, I'm not sold on that guard.

 

I know I said I'd probably go for a black guard, but now I'm looking at it, a nice tort would really set if off. Those Boston ones discussed recently might work.

 

Rob

Edited Friday at 12:36 by ossyrocks

[andytoad]

8 minutes ago, ossyrocks said:

@andytoad re the pickguard white ply being too white. You could try to take the gloss off the edge and round over and age the sharp edges with some fine wire wool. Then I would try to dye the edge with something like a wood dye rubbed in using a cloth. I'll be brutally honest though, I'm not sold on that guard.

 

I know I said I'd probably go for a black guard, but now I'm looking at it, a nice tort would really set if off. Those Boston ones discussed recently might work.

 

Rob

I quite like the idea of a black one when I compared it to the relic'd tort as a colour scheme. Maybe just a shi!!y example of one? Although not completely sold. I used to be indecisive...😁

[ossyrocks]

18 minutes ago, andytoad said:

I quite like the idea of a black one when I compared it to the relic'd tort as a colour scheme. Maybe just a shi!!y example of one? Although not completely sold. I used to be indecisive...😁

Pickguards are hard to relic, I know, I've done a few! What I find is that they don't need scratching up, they just need dulling down. Fine micromesh pads do a good job if you're patient.

 

It's looking good though Andy.

 

Rob 

 

Edited Friday at 12:59 by ossyrocks

[Clarky]

This page suggests tea or coffee to stain bright white scratchplate? Sounds like a low cost easy first try at home option before resorting to actual dyes etc? Just sponge said beverage on edges and see what happens, can'ts see much could go wrong?

 

https://strat-talk.com/threads/making-a-white-pickguard-cream.596301/

Edited Friday at 14:29 by Clarky

[andytoad]

1 hour ago, ossyrocks said:

Pickguards are hard to relic, I know, I've done a few! What I find is that they don't need scratching up, they just need dulling down. Fine micromesh pads do a good job if you're patient.

 

It's looking good though Andy.

 

Rob 

 

Yeah, I over bodged it with a sponge, after mulling over it, I'm gonna stick with black, but find something better..

[andytoad]

15 minutes ago, Clarky said:

This page suggests tea or coffee to stain bright white scratchplate? Sounds like a low cost easy first try at home option before resorting to actual dyes etc? Just sponge said beverage on edges and see what happens, can'ts see much could go wrong?

 

https://strat-talk.com/threads/making-a-white-pickguard-cream.596301/

Certainly worth a try in the meantime I reckon @Clarky, it's gonna come off anyway to sort the thumbrest holes

[Doctor J]

Loosen the neck bolts a smidge and move the neck a bit towards the treble side, get the strings centred on the fretboard.

[Geek99]

51 minutes ago, Clarky said:

This page suggests tea or coffee to stain bright white scratchplate? Sounds like a low cost easy first try at home option before resorting to actual dyes etc? Just sponge said beverage on edges and see what happens, can'ts see much could go wrong?

 

https://strat-talk.com/threads/making-a-white-pickguard-cream.596301/

Shoe polish works

i like it, good job 

[andytoad]

2 hours ago, Doctor J said:

Loosen the neck bolts a smidge and move the neck a bit towards the treble side, get the strings centred on the fretboard.

That might also be the bridge, it's alive its alive!!! 😅

[LukeFRC]

I have a Bravewood I bought new - looks amazing with a real vintage look to the pickguard…. However after a few years finger wear cleans it up!!  

[Stub Mandrel]

There's a product called evaporust that would do a wicked job on that bridge.

[Alanko]

Dark oak Briwax took the bright white out the edge of a pickguard for me. As it contains solvents it sort of etches into the plastic rather than sit on the surface.

[police squad]

This is the tort guard I'm using for my Adam Clayton p bass

I think it looks lovely actually

Edited Saturday at 12:35 by police squad