Chambered Roasted Swamp Ash Strat - Need help with choosing pickguard

[AleForce1]

So I received my custom body that I ordered back on 3/22/20.  Now I am trying to find a pickguard that will go with the body and neck.  I used Photoshop to place different pickguards that I found online on top of the body.  Any suggestions?

 

[TBurst Std]

Woodprint or Rusty from those.
I'm curious how a std tortise would look?

 

[AleForce1]

Thanks. I was think a tortoise shell also.  In searching for one I am amazed at the different shades of them.  The woodprint pickguard I actually purchased from Stratosphere about 2 months for $10.

 

[AleForce1]

I forgot to mention the body & neck specs:
Neck: Warmoth Showcase neck
Style: Stratocaster®
Construction: Vintage/Modern Construction
Orientation: Right Handed
Neck Wood: Brazilian Ebony
Fingerboard Wood: Brazilian Ebony
Nut Width: 1-11/16"
Back Shape: Standard thin
Fret Size: SS6105 (Stainless)  (narrow & Tall?)
Tuner Ream: Schaller (25/64")
Radius: 10-16" Compound
Scale: 25-1/2"
Fret #: 22
Mounting Holes: Standard 4 Bolt
Pre-Cut Installed String Nut: GraphTech Black TUSQ XL - Earvana Nut
Inlays: Cream Face Dots

Body: Warmoth Custom
Model: Chambered Stratocaster®
Orientation: Right handed
F-Holes: 1
Scale: 25-1/2"
Wood: Swamp Ash on Roasted Swamp Ash
Rout: Top Rout
Pickup Rout: Strat®, Strat®, Strat®
Controls: None
Bridge: Wilkinson Tremolo
Stud Install: Use inserts from bridge on order
Jack Rout: Strat® Top Jack Rout
Neck Pocket: Strat® Shape
Mounting Holes: Standard 4 Bolt
Contours: Contoured Heel / Tummy Cut / Forearm Contour
Top Finish: Clear
Back Finish: Clear
Finish Type: Satin Finish

 

[rgand]

The darker tort (the first of the last two you posted) seems better than any of the others. I like that it doesn't conflict with the neck color as much or try to compete with the grain of the body.

 

[TBurst Std]

I agree the darker tort of the last 2 out of all of them

 

[AleForce1]

Thanks for your input.  Definitely sounds like the one to get. I just ordered it.

 

[vetteman]

Well, I know I'm tardy to the party, but I'd go with 'Rusty'.

 

[AleForce1]

Well, I know I'm tardy to the party, but I'd go with 'Rusty'.

I like it too, but after seeing it with the bridge it seemed to clash.

 

[AleForce1]

Decided to go with a loaded Fralin Pickguard.  A mock up here.  The pickups will be neck: Blues, Middle: Vintage, bridge: SuperOutput.  The second tone knob will a blender.

 

[rgand]

Nice! Good choices. That should do the trick. :icon_thumright:

 

[DangerousR6]

Sweet, I like 'em all... :headbang:

 

[dmraco]

I am a sucker for that gold leaf one.  IT looks like you have made a good decision.

 

[musicispeace]

Scrolling for the win! Paisley patterned pickguards are fantastic and under utilized.

 

[AleForce1]

My Fralin loaded pickguard arrived today.  I'll be taking everything to my local luthier to put together because I want it done right.

Amazing how all of the parts start adding up:

Custom Chambered Roasted Swamp Ash Body: 2.99 lbs
Brazilian Ebony Neck: 1.69 lbs
Loaded Pickguard: .885 lbs
Tuners, Screws, Bridge components, Strap holders: 1.84 lbs

7.405 lbs

 

[PhilHill]

Very Nice Indeed, good choices on the parts, it all goes together well. Good job.  :headbang:

 

[jay4321]

Hey nice

This one’s in my shop graveyard at the moment, no neck or pickups.

Tortoise works, black works, and I looked at a zillion other options I didn’t like.

 

[Ric Moore]

Aleforce1, did you finish that body yourself?  What color is the back compared to the clear front?  Like the contrast.

 

[AleForce1]

Aleforce1, did you finish that body yourself?  What color is the back compared to the clear front?  Like the contrast.

Reply #3 of the thread gives all the specs.  It's a Warmoth clear satin finish.  Roasted Swamp Ash for the back, and Swamp Ash for the front.  All parts except for the loaded Fralin pickguard was purchased from Warmoth.

 

[AleForce1]

Finally got every put together and setup.  I could have put it together myself, but I know a local luthier - https://shumakerguitarworks.com in Davenport,Iowa that does a great job and I wanted to support him ($) and get it done right.  If I did it there would be a chance of duct tape being used at some point (ha!).  It has a nice balance similar to my EJ thinline and Robert Cray Strats. The Lindy Fralin pickups provide a lot of clarity that my other strats don't seem to have (which have Fender stock pickups or Seymour Duncans).

Weight of the parts:
Brazilian Ebony Neck w/SS 6105 frets :                    1.69 lbs
Schaller S lock Tuners:                                            .56 lbs
Chambered Swamp Ash on Roast Swamp Ash Body: 2.99 lbs
Gotoh Wilkinson VS100 Tremolo Bridge:                    .85 lbs
Lindy Fralin Loaded Pickguard:                                  .89 lbs
Schaller Strap Locks:                                                .14 lbs
Neck backplate & screws:                                          .12 lbs
                                                                            =====
Total:                                                                    7.23 lbs   

Comparing the weight of my other Strats: Eric Johnson Thinline: 6.82 lbs, Jeff Beck Strat 7.78 lbs, and Robert Cray Strat: 7.00 lbs