So, what do ya think?

[bbl4ck]

O.K., So I am ready to try a custom order Firebird similar to one currently in the showcase.  I know you have seen it. 
It is the Flame Maple with the raised center piece and tiger's eye finish.  Ya either love it or hate it.  I happen to love it.
However, it drives me nuts they route the toggle switch through the front and ruin that beauty of a top. 
It seems they could route it from the back and let that top shine.  Anyway, I was going to ask the custom shop if they would do so. 

Then I came across the pictured Firebird pickguard.  I thought, now there is a pickguard I could live with.
My problem is I think the tiger's eye finish and the pickguard are just too busy of a design with each other.  Maybe I am just wacky...
So, I have been trying to come up with a wood/color that would stand out yet not be too busy with the pickguard.
I would like to have some type of burst or something showing some grain; however, I have even considered a solid black, or vintage white, or red dyed mahogany. 
I even sort of like the Cocobolo, although I have seen better pieces. 

I don't do Photoshop so I need your help here forum.  What do ya think?  :headbang1:  Any suggestions  :icon_scratch:

 

Thanks for your time and  :rock-on:

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

The raised center block is only available on mahogany bodies if scratch builds.  I've never had good luck with them repeating a showcase item for a scratch build.  I like the showcase body with that pickguard though.  Go for that.  If it's too busy, it's the PG not the body, IMO.

 

[Mor Paul]

Merry Christmas

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

That totally works.  The weight of that PG may balance the body better too.

 

[jimh]

I am loving that.

 

[bbl4ck]

Merry Christmas

Wow!  Christmas in September...  Gotta love that.
Thanks for the help Max.  I will break down and buy Photoshop someday, I swear.

It looks better than I thought it would.  I might even leave the colored plate underneath the guard out.  The natural wood might be enough flame.
Now my only problem is that I was going to use P-90's.  Anybody know of any kind of conversion ring to place a P-90 in a humbucker location? 
Seems like someone should make one  :icon_scratch:

Thanks again for the pic Max!  Your the greatest...

 

[Xplorervoodoo]

Man...  That looks awesome.  Can't wait to see how this one turns out!  :hello2:

 

[hannaugh]

I'm not usually a fan of "pictures on your guitar", but that looks really cool.  :glasses10:

 

[erogenousjones17]

Wow, I think that looks great! As for the P-90s in a humbucker rout, I know Duncan makes humbucker-sized P-90s, and I<m sure they<re not the only ones to do so.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

Love that pick guard on that body. And I'm not a pick guard kind of guy.  :headbang:

 

[rapfohl09]

Wow, I think that looks great! As for the P-90s in a humbucker rout, I know Duncan makes humbucker-sized P-90s, and I<m sure they<re not the only ones to do so.

+1 I dont think there is anything to get a p90 in a HB route, since p90s are longer than the entire rout altogether.

Plus I dont know if thats what it is, but I think it would be sweet if someone made a stained glass pickguard. Or maybe even a stained glass top for your guitar.

 

[OzziePete]

Wow, I think that looks great! As for the P-90s in a humbucker rout, I know Duncan makes humbucker-sized P-90s, and I<m sure they<re not the only ones to do so.

+1 I dont think there is anything to get a p90 in a HB route, since p90s are longer than the entire rout altogether.

+2. The length of the P90 pickup is, I think, the main problem with an adaptor. I'm not a fan of humbucker sized P90, but if you want this body AND you want a P90 sounding pickup, then that's the way to go. Lollar P90's get a good run here on projects, maybe check if they have humbucker sized ones?

Oh, if you were thinking of mini humbuckers, as per the original Firebirds (they may or may not be the pickup you want  :dontknow: ), I did find a place that sells adaptor plates for a mini humbucker into a humbucker rout. Google jackofroses.com.  :icon_thumright: No experience with them yet though.

 

[shanejw]

That's gonna look bad ass!

 

[bbl4ck]

I'm not usually a fan of "pictures on your guitar", but that looks really cool.  :glasses10:

Love that pick guard on that body. And I'm not a pick guard kind of guy.  :headbang:

Thanks Hannaugh and DBU...
Yea, I normally would never put a picture on a guitar and am not much into pickguards either, but this one seems to work.  It's just really different.  
It is made by an artist in Germany.  You will notice this one does not really fit the Warmoth perfectly because it is made for a Gibson, so I am sending her a W FIrebird pickguard so she can custom make it.  

Thanks again  :rock-on:

 

[bbl4ck]

Wow, I think that looks great! As for the P-90s in a humbucker rout, I know Duncan makes humbucker-sized P-90s, and I<m sure they<re not the only ones to do so.

+1 I dont think there is anything to get a p90 in a HB route, since p90s are longer than the entire rout altogether.

+2. The length of the P90 pickup is, I think, the main problem with an adaptor. I'm not a fan of humbucker sized P90, but if you want this body AND you want a P90 sounding pickup, then that's the way to go. Lollar P90's get a good run here on projects, maybe check if they have humbucker sized ones?


Oh, if you were thinking of mini humbuckers, as per the original Firebirds (they may or may not be the pickup you want  :dontknow: ), I did find a place that sells adaptor plates for a mini humbucker into a humbucker rout. Google jackofroses.com.  :icon_thumright: No experience with them yet though.

I had not really thought about the width; only considering the height.  Yea, I was planning on using Lollar P-90's. 
Lollar does have a humbucker sized P-90, but they come right out and state that it has a slightly different sound than their regular P-90. 
Additionally, they do not have any sound clips to show the difference.

The Bare Knuckles Mississippi Queen claims to be a genuine humbucker sized P-90 and their sound clip sounds pretty good.
Will likely end up using the Bare Knuckles in the Neck & Bridge and put a Lollar Firebird in the middle position. 
Time will tell...
:rock-on:

 

[mayfly]

Just skimming the posts here... But that body and pickguard rule!

Do It!!!

 

[tfarny]

Looks amazing. P90s are wider than HBs which is why there's no ring that will let you mount it, and anyhow p90s are always direct wood mounting anyhow. A number of people make HB sized p90s though.

My guess is that Lollar thinks NO hb-sized P90s sound quite right, but is polite and honest, so he only says that about his own pups. If you read his blog he definitely comes across that way.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Well, it still doesn't change the fact this is a showcase body that may be gone tomorrow.  There's no guarantee W will make a P-90 scratch build like it.

 

[Rouse]

Where did you find that wicked pickguard?

 

[bbl4ck]

Well, it still doesn't change the fact this is a showcase body that may be gone tomorrow.  There's no guarantee W will make a P-90 scratch build like it.

Oh, thanks for bringin' me down a few thousand feet...  Yes, I know there is no guarantee they will do the scratch build.  I have been down that road with them before.  :toothy11:
However, I at least know that I can have a Firebird with the Flame Maple and Tiger's Eye without the raised block.  Then I can get the P-90's for certain.
Although after listening to the Bare Knuckles Mississippi Queen's, I might just settle for them if they won't do the scratch build. 
Anyway, I will end up with something that sounds good and I enjoy.  Guaranteed...
:rock-on: