Aluminum Pickguard -- Any Downsides?

Thinking about putting one of those anodized aluminum pickguards on my P-Bass (Highway 1).

Are there any downsides? I can't think of any...

i'd think it would be instant shielding, to some extent.

My old P-Bass (currently in the arsenal of Paul "in Colorado" Honeycutt) has one, and it's a tone machine, so I don't think you'll have any problems...

Cheers, Tim

Excellent; thanks guys!

Got an original on my '58 and love it.
Can't think of a downside.
The upside is they don't crack, warp, or shrink.

Just put one on my p-bass project and it does actually shield some!
I noticed less noise near computer equipment.

It has actually improved tone a bit as well.
Don't know how/why, but I would recommend it completely!

Any suggestions where to get one? I saw one online, but it had too many holes. I'd like to get one with holes that match my Highway 1.

Can't help you there, but my attitude about pickguard holes is this: add 'em if you need them, who'll see if you have too many under the pickguard if you change back?

But that's certainly a personal preference!

Cheers, Tim

Any suggestions where to get one? I saw one online, but it had too many holes. I'd like to get one with holes that match my Highway 1.

Good luck finding that... You may want to search under 'unobtanium' by which I mean that it would be a custom one and customs in aluminum - well that can't be cheap ... Maybe Rodger at Jeanies Pickguards ?

The upside of custom is that if you ship the builder your pickguard, you'll get the same neck pocket fit whereas off the shelf... maybe yes, maybe no ...

I love aluminum pickguards

big fan of aluminum guards over here as well!

Like mine alot.

I love 'em on black.
Unfortunately :cry: mine has 2 extra holes thanks to
a previous owner who loved micro switches.

Can't help you there, but my attitude about pickguard holes is this: add 'em if you need them, who'll see if you have too many under the pickguard if you change back?

I agree. The extra holes I saw online were for one of those "thumb" rest things (but south of the G string), and I thought they'd look silly, left open.

Maybe I just need to do the pickguard AND the "thumb" rest.

Or maybe I just need to shut up and enjoy the dang bass the way it is...

:roll:

I discovered another cool thing about them last night at a gig. They reflect light. I realized while I was playing that I could put audience members "in the spotlight." Want a better look at the cute blonde in the sixth row, shine a light. Oh, there's my friend Kate! Let's light her up! I spent a good part of three songs just getting a better look at folks dancing. It was fun.

Cool! I'll have to try that with my Jazzmaster (already has the aluminum guard).