hey @brendan - yeah you are right about the cream. I've got a paired scratchplate/back cover coming. I've also got fender standard aged cream pickup covers coming. They may not work together at all. And the cream may not match the blue. Just gonna suck it and see. If the cream is no good, then i think white pearloid or just the plain white. The white does look very stark against the blue though. Hmmm. Will have a look when the time comes. I really like your suggestion about the headstock test - i'll definitely give that a go!

cheers,
Gav.