Stingray5

I was thinking movie!

Ah, I didn't know about that one. Maybe someone else has more info?

Quite right! Sam Li worked on a number of Steve Howe's guitars, both electric and acoustic.

Oh my, I'd forgotten about that thread. Thanks, I just read through the whole thing (thankfully just 2 pages! ) @Mark E Re your question about Sam Li, I can't say I knew him all that well but, as I mentioned in the above thread, I used to run into him occasionally in the Sound City/Music City stores on Shaftesbury Avenue where he did a complete re-finish for me on a tobacco sunburst Gibson EB2-D bass. A very nice man, as I recall.

A nice pair, sir!

I must admit I hadn't thought to dab in a bit of black acrylic paint over the screw holes. To be fair, it doesn't bother me too much -- it's all part of the 'mojo' - but now you mention it, I may well give it a try.

Yep, I completely understand and, in fact, my Stingray fretless has had the tort guard firmly in place for a long time and will probably remain so. I know this may sound a tad silly to some folks, but in some cases it's almost like playing a new or at least a different instrument and I might even play it a little differently. Yeah, I know, it's all in the mind! Personally, I may just like the idea that removing or replacing a pickguard (where suitable) is a super easy way to give an instrument a different look, albeit probably on a temporary basis.

On the other hand, I quite like going naked sometimes (oo-er missus!) . So, not meaning to change the subject of the topic, but what about the 'no pickguard at all' option? As in my Tokai Jazz Sound: And my fretless 'Ray (as above): And this is one I used to own:

I still think the tort guard on the op's Jazz is the way to go. That said, I do like White Pearl and have swapped out the originals on a few of my instruments as shown below..... Fender USA Jazz (Aquamarine - originallly with plain white pickguard) MM Stingray5 (originallly with plain white pickguard) Fender USA Strat (originally had a plain white guard and all white fittings (controls, pup covers, etc). Yamaha Pacifica 604 (white pearl already installed as standard) I've also installed a white pearl guard to my cream-coloured Fender Telecaster but not taken any pics yet. And finally........ just to show I do also like tort pickguards...... Here's my fretless Stingray

I dunno where you woz taught, but I woz always taught, a guard on a 'burst Jazz has gotta be tort!

Nice to see the old Gibbo here. Brings back some nice memories as I did some recording in France many moons ago and was loaned one of these (with the extra pup) until I could bring my own bass over.

I go along with this, too. I had a Chandler P/J bass back around the mid-80's which played and felt really nice (see pic). Can't think why I got rid of it. Probably to go towards whatever came next! 🙄

Yep, I shall surely have a P one day, Bob! 😎

Niiice!