Pickguards: Who do you recomend?

Freuds_Cat · September 29, 2012, 02:19:42 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.

Highlander · September 29, 2012, 04:22:24 PM

Scott...?

copacetic · September 29, 2012, 04:45:45 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.

gweimer · September 29, 2012, 04:56:35 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.

Dave W · September 29, 2012, 08:31:27 PM

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

TBird1958 · September 29, 2012, 08:58:30 PM

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

Basvarken · September 30, 2012, 02:19:10 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)

godofthunder · September 30, 2012, 07:26:25 AM

Quote from: HERBIE on September 29, 2012, 04:22:24 PM
Scott...?

Thanks for the thought Kenny but I just do Thunderbird guards

Freuds_Cat · September 30, 2012, 07:07:48 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.

chromium · September 30, 2012, 08:27:03 PM

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