Your aesthetic opinions needed...

[brycycle]

i'm thinking of getting a new pickguard for this Walnut w/ 1/2" spacing to accommodate a toaster.

should i go all black, as is shown stock?

or - a 3-ply black/white/black to compliment the pinstripe binding?

thoughts?

[godber]

Lovely colour. How about black-cream-black to match the age.

[brycycle]

good point, that was one of my concerns as well..would white be too bright?

not sure if b/cream/b is available.

[godber]

Can the white plastic be stained - strong tea?!!

[ricosound]

I'm the first to modify (after Rath) when need be. However I think this is one case where the stock black 'guard looks right. I'd say leave it and just add the 1" toaster. You would have to route to make it work at 1/2" and this bass is so nice looking. There are pleanty of other battered '70s basses to modify. JMHO

[phlemmy]

leave th whole thing as is IMHO.

[brycycle]

glad to hear the feedback to confirm my thoughts.

a multi-ply might over-shadow the pin stripe...guess i've been staring at the 4002 'guard too long.

as for the toaster addition, this bass has stock routing for either a 1/2" or 1" spacing - i don't like non-reversible mods to old Rics...

i think i'll go with a new black 'guard w/ 1/2" spacing and set the old one aside (a little scuffed compared to the rest of the finish, a new one would really sharpen the bass up).

[ajish4]

SEXY BASS!

[sloop_john_b]

I'd go with a plain black guard, 1/2" spacing.

[teeder]

I'd go with a plain black guard, 1/2" spacing.

+1

[rikk]

I'm not a big fan of black trim, but in this case nothing else would look as nice.

[aceonbass]

Three ply pickguards are made of ABS and compared to acrylic, look cheap. Be aware that the 1/2 spacing requires routing that tends to weaken the neck in this area.I like the two-tone binding.

[jakeox]

I agree that the W/B/W pickguard might distract attention from the cool binding. If it's toaster-ready I'd slap one in there, too, but they only look right at 1/2", IMHO.

[paologregorio]

I think a white pickguard would better show off the finish by way of contrast, but since the binding is black on the bass, so a black PG complements the binding better.

[johnallg]

My .02 - the black/cream/black would be the way to go IF you go layered, as it would go along with the binding so well, but the all black at 1/2" would be Rick correct. Beautiful bass.