Hi folks, let me introduce you to my best behaved children. My 1st born ( bought off Ebay about 6 months ago) is a 2000 MIM midnight wine with an American standard loaded pickguard I scored off of CL. It still had the the protective plastic on it with the flag and all. I took it off, maybe I shouldn't have done that. Anyways, my newborn is a Blacktop Sonic Blue with maple fingerboard. I'm really enjoying it so far.

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q52 ... 0006-1.jpg

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q52 ... 0008-1.jpg

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q52 ... 0011-1.jpg

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q52 ... 0007-1.jpg

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q52 ... G_0003.jpg

http://i1162.photobucket.com/albums/q52 ... G_0002.jpg

Sweet looking axes man ! Congrats ! I think you need to try a different url for your pics tho.

Hi mnmx3,

Welcome and nice guitars! It's actually a good idea to remove the protective plastic from the pickguard, as with gradual play it'll begin to peel on the sides and simply not look all that great. I've also heard it can leave a film on the 'guard over time, though I've never met anyone determined enough to keep it on for that long.

Enjoy your stay at the forum!

Thanks for that info. I did notice a haze on the pickguard when I took it off but I was able to clean it. The plastic had been on since 1999!