Custom pickguard poll

[ratherdashing]

My #1 Strat is in desperate need of a new pickguard. It is black with rosewood board, and currently has a 1-ply white guard with black pickups, knobs, and switch tip.

The current pickguard has been re-routed twice over the past 10 years to accomodate a bridge humbucker, and then a trembucker. It also has a hole in it where a toggle switch once was. In short, it's pretty ugly, which is a shame for my #1 guitar.

I have decided to go with a Terrapin guard to replace it. Here is their materials list:

http://www.terrapinguitars.com/2006/...alsGallery.htm

The poll contains the materials I have narrowed it down to. I really like the white on black look, but I am also open to something fancier. It has to look good with the black pickups etc - I am not changing those.

Let me know what you think. Currently I'm leaning toward silver pearl, but I change my mind every couple of days.

[JustWendell]

most of those pearl ones look pretty good, so it's really up to you....although i could definately see black pearl/silver pearl looking great on the guitar you're describing.

[BigAlTheBird]

White pearl is my vote. Should look pretty tasty.

[firebirdV]

I actually was thinking of brown shell before I even looked at your narrowed down list, so naturally that's where I voted.

[DracoAran]

Brown or Red Tortoise shell. Classy as hell.

[ArtieToo]

White Pearl makes any guitar look good. Case in point - Squier Bullet:

[Ez74]

it's not an option in your poll, but gold is my favorite guard on a black strat

[BigAlTheBird]

Brown shell? I reckon you'd have to be mentally f'ed to put brown tortoise on a black guitar (or really on any guitar - it's not 1974 anymore). That's just my opinion though.

[Voxman]

I`d say w/b/w parchment or mint !

[ratherdashing]

Brown shell? I reckon you'd have to be mentally f'ed to put brown tortoise on a black guitar (or really on any guitar - it's not 1974 anymore). That's just my opinion though.

It's not tortoise ... look at the samples.

[Robert Delahunt]

None of the above: go black!

[Mr 9finger]

I had to vote silver pearl. It's still a little on the dark side but would add a nice contrast other than the standard tuxedo look.

[Bloozinay]

I've been setting up my Fenders with the AxeGuardz pickguards. Finally there's something besides all the same colored plastic ones that have been around forever.

[ratherdashing]

None of the above: go black!

I'm not too keen on all black Fenders. I need some contrast.

[Mr 9finger]

I've been setting up my Fenders with the AxeGuardz pickguards. Finally there's something besides all the same colored plastic ones that have been around forever.

That's quite the concept. There's just one thing. Most people use sheilding etc... to reduce 60 cycle hum. And yet, in their strat pictures they're using 3 minibuckers. Not only that, but using that much aluminum WILL affect the tone of your pickups. Don't know why or how, but it does.

[theodie]

Brown shell has my vote!

[Bloozinay]

fingers,

Yeah, I saw that. From my knowledge so far, the AxeGuardz purpose is two-fold, to look great, and to reduce RFI by the shielding properties of the design of the material. The aluminum is only .012" thick, and it has not robbed me of any tone. Perhaps the few solid aluminum guards out there may slightly affect tone, but aluminum is not ferrous, so while still conductive, it likely has no effect on magnetic fields. I see you can use whatever pickup fits in the hole. They also have HSS and other layouts coming soon, apparently.

[danglybanger]

it needs to be that gold one.

Or the abalone

[cream123]

paisley! if not then gold

[Lake Placid Blues]

Almost all brown shell pick guards I've seen, have white pickup covers and whites knobs..ect... The brown shell pick guards were usually used on white and cream guitars back in the 60's. It was used on occasion on black and brown sunburst. I think you need a strong contrast against the black. Therefore, either white pearl or silver pearl would be my choice.