POLL: CV Strat Pickguard Replacement

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 12:44 pm

I happen to think the gold guard looks fantastic, so if you do get a mint guitar you know where to send the gold one.

George · Post by **George** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 12:57 pm

Uphill struggle for change here!

To explain: I'm getting a brass trem block soon which I've heard warms up the sound. Apparently the gold pickguard is also doing this right now. I'm worried I'll end up with a muddy guitar so would like to experiment with plastic to hear the difference. I'm also bashful about the gold.

So this is a "If it HAD to change, what colour would you vote for?" poll

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 1:13 pm

Are you intending to buy from Warmoth? Don't they advise against buying their pickguards for guitar bodies other than their own as they may not fit?

George · Post by **George** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 1:31 pm

As you're asking, I have it on good authority they do fit. However, CV 50s actually take a modern 11 to 8 hole conversion guard, not classic 8 hole, which precludes most manufacturers in this country. Warmoth offers them. The difference is where the screw near the switch is. Check here to see what I mean...

http://www.warmoth.com/pickguard/StratPickguard.aspx

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 2:08 pm

Just thought i'd be helpful and mention in case you weren't aware. Thanks for setting me straight.

George · Post by **George** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 2:18 pm

I know what you mean though. I was looking into getting a Jaguar pickguard or neck or something (can't quite remember) a few years ago and it was impossible to get them to admit whether it will fit. Drove me fucking mental so I eventually gave up.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 2:26 pm

It was a Jazzmaster pickguard I was after, there is a note at the bottom of that page saying they won't fit - however on the Strat page you linked to it said that they will fit some non-Warmoth guitars so I guess you should be ok.

jagsonic · Post by **jagsonic** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 3:03 pm

I just love the gold pickguard. I own a cv duo with the same guard. With some playing it'll get some wear wich looks very cool...

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 4:35 pm

George wrote:Uphill struggle for change here!

To explain: I'm getting a brass trem block soon which I've heard warms up the sound. Apparently the gold pickguard is also doing this right now. I'm worried I'll end up with a muddy guitar so would like to experiment with plastic to hear the difference. I'm also bashful about the gold.

So this is a "If it HAD to change, what colour would you vote for?" poll

ok, a couple points here

1.) the gold guard looks great but if you are set on changing it you forgot the best option which would be black.

black guard + maple is one of the all time best fender finish combos. there are two kinds of black guard strats of course, the more commonly known 70s strats, maple necks with big headstocks and the B/W/B guard; and then there are the 50s strats (like yours) that came with single ply black guards. although fairly uncommon, this was like the stratocaster equivalent of a black guard tele. here is a picture of my old strat rocking the 50s style black guard:

► Show Spoiler

2.) the effects of the gold guard and the brass trem block are going to be pretty subtle. I think you can go a long way with these kinds of mods on a strat before it starts to get too warm. strats are fairly bright to begin with so you have a lot to work with there. factors like the single coil pickups, maple neck, and the rolled steel saddles will still be contributing to a brighter sound.

ekwatts · Post by **ekwatts** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:35 pm

Does the pickguard really make that much difference to the sound?

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 6:59 pm

ekwatts wrote:Does the pickguard really make that much difference to the sound?

Nope. Leave it alone, or I'm having my book back.

George · Post by **George** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:00 pm

Ultimatums is it?!

You're all probably right about wearing the gold in - I think I'm just a little cold feety about such extravagance.

On the sound, I only tried plastic in the shop (essentially buying blind with this one). People said they noticed a difference between the two side-by-side with aluminium rolling off some treble, and then making a purchase based on that.

serfx · Post by **serfx** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 8:05 pm

green tort.

actually i'd rock the fuck out of a black guard..

ekwatts · Post by **ekwatts** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 10:04 pm

'Zactly.

If pickguard type made a difference to the sound of a guitar then tort would make any guitar sound like audible liquid shit.

lorez · Post by **lorez** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 10:26 pm

mrperson wrote: This, I love the gold guard, its very Nile Rodgers which is what I love about strats.

keep it stock, this +11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 12:18 am

ekwatts wrote:'Zactly.

If pickguard type made a difference to the sound of a guitar then tort would make any guitar sound like audible liquid shit.

trewth

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 12:59 am

<3 tort.

George, i saw no option for Rosewood fretboard on the list?

ekwatts · Post by **ekwatts** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 11:03 am

hotrodperlmutter wrote:<3 tort.

George, i saw no option for Rosewood fretboard on the list?

iCEByTes · Post by **iCEByTes** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 1:03 pm

looks classy

George · Post by **George** » Wed Apr 20, 2011 5:46 pm

Update

I know you're all sick of hearing about my bloody Strat now so sorry for dragging it on. However, it looks like the finish is coming away from the edge of the fretboard at a rapid rate with only a few days playing which has me worried. You can see the lighter colour which looks a little like exposed wood/undercoat/something. Forgive my noobiness (as some of you are all too familar with

) but I take it this isn't normal?

I don't have sweaty hands or anything like that.

WHAT DO?!

Abort, retry, fail?

POLL: CV Strat Pickguard Replacement

What colour for new pickguard?