Sterling - a little too pretty

[BigStrings]

My Sterling is the prettiest bass I've ever owned and has to be one of the top 5 nicest looking of all Sterlings. Every time I open the case I get excited all over again. I bought it used so didn't have much to say as to color scheme. It's a honeyburst with a rosewood neck and white pearloid pickguard.
I play in a blues band and was thinking that I would like to make my bass a little more bluesy looking. I've noticed that a lot of you guys are pretty fashion conscience when it comes to what pickguard you put on your bass. I've been considering a black or black pearloid pickguard but would love some opinions as to what you guys think might work.
Anybody have pics of a honeyburst with rosewood neck with any color other than white pearloid pickguard? Would love to see them! Thanks

 

[cgworkman]

 

[cgworkman]

You might also want to check out the Photo Gallery thread.

 

[dlloyd]

Definately the black, simple and elegant.

 

[element]

I think black but that tort is a close second.

 

[midopa]

For me, it's nekkid all the way. Take off that PG and let that beast run wild 'n nude! Or if you don't want to, I'd say that tort looks delish and chic and pop 'n fresh.

Edit: By the way, I feel the same way about my Bongo. Everytime I look at it, I realize again and again how shexy it looks! I feel like I need to pick it up and play it, even if I play the most meandering, off-beat tunes! The Bongo demands to be played.

 

[Morrow]

I love those honeyburst/rosewood basses ....if you just play the bejesus out of that bass for the next fifteen years it will get that bluesy look .

 

[muggsy]

I have a honeyburst Sterling fretless that came with a white pickguard. I changed it to black and never looked back. Black guard on honeyburst is the way to go.

 

[Tom F]

I'll go on record supporting black, too. I don't know what happened to me. I used to be a big maple fretboard guy, but within the last several months, every bass I've bought/traded for has been rosewood, and I've liked it! The rosewood is especially tasty with the honeyburst.

 

[basspastor]

Tort, ya,ya,!

 

[nismaniac]

I'd say black and tort. Clear would look good also as an alternative to "totally nude" That is a great finish, I would hold on to that one.

 

[BigStrings]

cgworkman - Fabulous pictures! Thanks for the great ideas. I'm sold on the black and the tort and will probably buy both. The black pearloid actually looks pretty good but the black and tort really do it for me. It's amazing how a different pickguard can change the entire character of the bass.

Next question: Where can I purchase them, after market or does EB make these available?

 

[Morrow]

Put the genuine thing onto that bass....don't be putting no cheap plastic on that beauty

 

[dlloyd]

Put the genuine thing onto that bass....don't be putting no cheap plastic on that beauty

Yup, EB sell them.

 

[JB1]

What about CLEAR from DazBootMan?

 

[spectorbassguy]

Tort it up Baby!

 

[Mobay45]

My P originally had a black guard but that changed to tort and I haven't looked back. Go for the Tort!

 

[prickly_pete]

I have a honeyburst SR4 with maple fingerboard that came with a black pickguard. I put a white guard on it and like it better. However, I think that honeyburst with rosewood looks better with a darker pickguard. Can't go wrong with tort.

 

[philthygeezer]

I like my HB with black.

 

[jongitarz]

I thought this was a post about Big Poppa Carry on.