Aged Pre-wired Scratchplates

[Philly Q]

I'm slowly accumulating parts for my relic hardtail Strat project.  Haven't decided on pickups yet, but I'm contemplating the idea of letting BKP do most of the hard work for me, and buying an aged pre-wired scratchplate (or pickguard if you prefer!).

I've seen lots of photos of BKP aged pickups, and they look great, but unfortunately there's only one (old) picture of an aged scratchplate in the Gallery (plus the Irish Tour ad on the homepage).  I'm wondering how they compare with the work of say, Fatboy Guitars.

So.... anybody got any pictures?

(Or comments if you have an aged plate but don't have a camera  )

[PhilKing]

Hi Philly,

I have a BK aged set with scratchplate in my 57 strat.  It fools a lot of people when they see it.  Fatboy stuff also looks great, so it depends if you want to do the soldering or not.

I'm not sure if the BK 60's scratch plates have the original looking bevel, you should probably check with them.  I think they do fit the screening plate on 60's assemblies.

[Philly Q]

Thanks Phil. 

It does say in the shop that it's "a Fender pickguard", and I know they don't normally do the wide bevel on '60s scratchplates.  But maybe it's really a generic Fender-style pickguard.  That said, I'm not particularly aiming at vintage authenticity (it may even be HSS!  :lol: ) but I do have vague ideas of approximating a '64 spec.

The Fatboy stuff looks great, but not much is ever in stock on their site and I'm not sure they'd do an HSS scratchplate!

It'll all be much easier if I stick with SSS.

[Nolly]

Hey Philly, I've taken some pics of an aged guard I have here for you. Let me know if there's a particular angle you're after and I'll try and get a shot for you. It's difficult to photograph, but the ageing is very natural. Note the area beneath the strings is pretty glossy still, while the rest has the pick-swirling etc.

http://photobucket.com/bkpagedguard

FWIW I know Tim does stock genuine Fender pickguards, but I'm not sure whether the aged guards are real Fender.

[Philly Q]

Thanks Nolly, it's a bit hard to see the dirt/wear but that does look good - and the knobs have a suitable grungy look!  :D

Tortoise is exactly what I'll be going for.  Do you happen to know if that's a proper vintage-style celluloid tortoise, or a modern vinyl equivalent?  I'd be perfectly happy with vinyl, even though it's not "authentic" - I can't be bothered with shrinking, flammable scratchplates!

Maybe I could even send my own Fender plate to have it aged and wired up?  I'm quite happy doing wiring myself, but it would be good to get everything done at the same time so the pickup covers and knobs were all properly colour-matched.

[Nolly]

I have no idea what the material is I'm afraid! I imagine you would be able to send in your own guard, might be for the better if you want an HSS configuration

[Philly Q]

Thanks, I'll drop BKP an email when I've decided what I'm doing!

[cpwiebe]

here's a few pics for my squirecaster

[cpwiebe]

another pic from bkp pre-aged pickguard

[cpwiebe]

one more  :lol:

[Philly Q]

Thank you!

[gordiji]

get a pre wired. i can't comment on the authenticity issues but the regular one i bought with IT's was flawlessely
wired, perfectly silent. you'd have to be mad or seriously hard up to do it yourself, especially if your the type of person where diy projects take a little on the long side :lol:

[Philly Q]

you'd have to be mad or seriously hard up to do it yourself, especially if your the type of person where diy projects take a little on the long side :lol:

Not mad and only temporarily a bit hard up..... but there's a rumour I may take a..... wee while..... over my DIY projects.  :lol:

I am a dab hand at wiring, though, and I quite enjoy it (when I get round to it).  Also, if I go HSS I may want a non-standard wiring scheme, and I can't really ask BKP to do that for me.

If I go SSS, I'll get a pre-wired.  If I go HSS, I think I'll do it myself.

[Nolly]

Completely forgot - Tim special ordered me an aged HSS tortoiseshell guard, which has just arrived at the workshop. I'll get some pics for you when it arrives, and I'll ask if they are going to be available as a regular option.

[Philly Q]

Completely forgot - Tim special ordered me an aged HSS tortoiseshell guard, which has just arrived at the workshop. I'll get some pics for you when it arrives, and I'll ask if they are going to be available as a regular option.

Now that I'd like to see!  :D

Rounded corners on the humbucker cutout, to fit an uncovered pickup?  I presume this is for your relic Strat?