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Main Forums => The Bass Zone => Topic started by: Freuds_Cat on September 29, 2012, 01:19:42 AM

Title: Pickguards: Who do you recomend?
Post by: Freuds_Cat on September 29, 2012, 01:19:42 AM

I need to get a couple of pickguards made for different basses. One will be a custom shape, the others are a Jazz and a P bass shape.
Let me know who you have had the best results from.
thx.

Title: Re: Pickguards: Who do you recomend?
Post by: Highlander on September 29, 2012, 03:22:24 PM

Scott...?

Title: Re: Pickguards: Who do you recomend?
Post by: copacetic on September 29, 2012, 03:45:45 PM

I'll tell you 2 to avoid. Pickguard Heaven and Pickguardian. Pickguardian used to be quite good and timely but recently had 2 bad experiences (one with misplaced holes even after sending in my guard for precise tracing and the other taking over a month on a promised project to be complete in 10 days and even after that not completed). He did return my $ and guard but not my time and shipping. I had the work done by (a local) SF Guitarworks luthier even though it was not really their specialty but did a favor as they were the ones doing the pickup and wiring customizing. So I am open as well to hear who can do.

Title: Re: Pickguards: Who do you recomend?
Post by: gweimer on September 29, 2012, 03:56:35 PM

To be honest, you will probably have better luck with a local luthier.  The one pickguard I got from a supplier was pretty awful.  The ones that I've had done by someone local have always been perfect, because they also have the bass to make sure it fits right.

Title: Re: Pickguards: Who do you recomend?
Post by: Dave W on September 29, 2012, 07:31:27 PM

If you're ever tempted to order anything from Jeannie Pickguards, talk to godofthunder and drbassman. Or see this (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f18/jeannies-pickguards-~-buyer-beware-649868/).

Title: Re: Pickguards: Who do you recomend?
Post by: TBird1958 on September 29, 2012, 07:58:30 PM

 I've had Scott cut an NR guard for me it was beautiful, Paul Chandler also did one nice as well.

Title: Re: Pickguards: Who do you recomend?
Post by: Basvarken on September 30, 2012, 01:19:10 AM

Anyone with a CNC machine could cut out a pickguard for you.

Only thing is you'd need to give him an exact tracing in vector format.

That's what I've been doing for customers who want a vintage correct pickguard with Tbird logo.

A one off custom pickguard might be costly as getting the vector file into the CNC programme is a labor-intensive job.
Once that is done, it doesn't matter how many pieces you make. The it's down to the material costst. And finding the right material of course. I have yet to find a source for the right thickness of vintage Gibsons, as all the standard three ply pickguard material is a little too thick... (not that anyone will notice once it's mounted)

Title: Re: Pickguards: Who do you recomend?
Post by: godofthunder on September 30, 2012, 06:26:25 AM

Quote from: HERBIE on September 29, 2012, 03:22:24 PM

Scott...?

Thanks for the thought Kenny but I just do Thunderbird guards ;)

Title: Re: Pickguards: Who do you recomend?
Post by: Freuds_Cat on September 30, 2012, 06:07:48 PM

Thanks for the input guys. I've been lucky before buying 2nd hand ones from ebay for cheaper basses but this time I think I might just spend the extra scheckles and get my luthier to do it.

Title: Re: Pickguards: Who do you recomend?
Post by: chromium on September 30, 2012, 07:27:03 PM

I had a good experience with Terrapin (http://www.terrapinguitars.com/) for the pickguard on my BaCH

(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/thunderbird/DSCF0139.jpg)