Pickguards: Who do you recomend?

[Freuds_Cat]

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.

[Highlander]

Scott...?

[copacetic]

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.

[gweimer]

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.

[Dave W]

If you're ever tempted to order anything from Jeannie Pickguards, talk to godofthunder and drbassman. Or see this.

[TBird1958]

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

[Basvarken]

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)

[godofthunder]

Scott...?

Thanks for the thought Kenny but I just do Thunderbird guards

[Freuds_Cat]

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.

[chromium]

I had a good experience with Terrapin for the pickguard on my BaCH