Cutting a Pickguard?

[tastybasslines]

What is the best way to go about cutting a pickguard?

I need to cut out a truss rod hole on a P bass for an after market PG that does not have that hole already...It will need to look like this...

[mech]

I would use a round file of the diameter you want. Draw an outline in pencil and take slow strokes from the top down only. I would screw the PG to a thin piece of wood with an edge flush with the edge of the neck cutout. It'll take longer but will help keep the file from wandering around. The bottom edge will be a little fuzzy but it can easily be cleaned up with a sharp knife.

You could also wrap some 150 grit sand paper around a wood dowel or anything that's about the size you want.

Pawn shops are a good place to pick up files for cheap.

I've always found that TR hole close to useless and remove Fender necks for TR adjustments. It's a pain but it keeps from scarring the PG.

mech

[lavmonga]

Drill a hole then file the rest. Or use a cutting bit for a dremel.

[tastybasslines]

Thanks man - great advice.

[Chrisk-K]

I once cut out a truss rod access on a 62 RI pickguard by drilling a few holes with an electric drill followed by sanding.

BTW, what kind of J is that? The body color is so sexy!

[tastybasslines]

Originally Posted by Chrisk-K

I once cut out a truss rod access on a 62 RI pickguard by drilling a few holes with an electric drill followed by sanding.

BTW, what kind of J is that? The body color is so sexy!

Highway One Jazz, Honey Blond is the color.

I have a Sunburst Highway One P coming, and I bought a black pickguard for it that doesn't have the truss rod hole.

I don't really adjust truss rods much once I get the bass setup to my liking, but I don't want to have to take the guard off if I have to...