Guard or no guard?

[GoodwillHunter]

Pick guard or no pick guard? I originally intended this build to have an exposed neck pickup rout but the body made by wildwood has a large and sloppy cut hole so I bought a neck pickup ring to cover it. The pickup ring doesn’t even cover the hole all the way. If I used the pickguard I’d have to cut it more to make it fit with the pickup ring. Bottom photo on white background is my original concept mock-up.

 

[Killing Floor]

That accent looks good. Why don't you tape it on for a few days and see if you love it before you make holes?

 

[brookdalebill]

The pg looks better, IMO.
White’s kinda boring.
Just sayin’.
I like tortoise shell better.
Cool Tele!

 

[2HBStrat]

No. I wish my Cabronita didn't have a pickguard.

 

[KelvinS1965]

I've been debating this myself on a Cabronita build. Like you mine was originally going to have a white guard (I'm not a fan of 'tort') as I like the combination on the Eric Clapton Strat when they are finished in 'Pewter'. Unfortunately the shop that supplied mine seem to think Pewter is a dark metallic blue, so I'm living with it for now until I can strip it down and respray it myself in the spring.

It's a shame about the gaps round your neck pickup surround as I think it would have looked better with the Cabronita style guard. I'd be inclined to fit a standard Tele guard though to cover the gaps. I think the pickup ring looks a bit of an afterthought, especially as it doesn't fully cover the hole.

This is mine (nothing like 'Pewter'):


I think I'll wait until I've done it in the intended colour first.

 

[radiocaster]

I'd be into something like this (minus the caveman cutting job):

 

[yegbert]

I like the accent too. If it was mine, I might try a 3-ply W/B/W.

 

[El Tele Lobo]

Personally, I don't care for the pickup ring. I would either direct mount the pickup to the body with the guard you have shown, or get a clear guard and mount through the pickguard so you can see that beautiful finish.

 

[boxocrap]

Pick guard or no pick guard? I originally intended this build to have an exposed neck pickup rout but the body made by wildwood has a large and sloppy cut hole so I bought a neck pickup ring to cover it. The pickup ring doesn’t even cover the hole all the way. If I used the pickguard I’d have to cut it more to make it fit with the pickup ring. Bottom photo on white background is my original concept mock-up.

View attachment 939112

kinda like both ways but..for looks..naked looks really nice

 

[VicUA]

With pickguard looks more better. I might try a 1-ply ivory color. But white not bad too.

 

[hemingway]

I'd go traditional style clear guard

 

[Bruxist]

Prefer it without.

 

[Gardo]

It just looks naked without one
Here’s one I did a couple years ago

 

[Martocaster]

I'd be into something like this (minus the caveman cutting job):
View attachment 939356

This is a very cool idea. Love how the curve of the pickguard seems like a continuation of the curve above the neck.

 

[Deeve]

The pg looks better, IMO.
White’s kinda boring.
Just sayin’.
I like tortoise shell better.
Cool Tele!

M.O.T.S. ?