Scratchplate genius?

charic · #1 10-06-2006, 03:00 AM

I fairly recently had a thread on picking a scratchplate. Now through this i changed my mind constantly as to what i want to do.

Yesterday it occured to me that I could infact make my own. Then i thought why not make it clear? As opposed to getting a black one to match the bass. Then it occured to me that i could put a design BEHIND the clear scratchplate to customise appearance.

Can anyone point out any flaws in this plan?

charic · #2 10-06-2006, 03:06 AM

Oh good! saves me £26 every time i want a custom scratchplate

Bass · #3 10-06-2006, 08:13 AM

I think this is a briliiant idea, and I've done it as well.

I used lucite (plexiglass), which conveniently comes in different widths, so I selected plexiglass with a thickness that matches the stock pickguard. I made a template out of 1/4" hardboard using the original pickguard as a guide. A router and a router table were used to cut the new pickguard. The edges were shaped with a 45 degree bevel and I positioned the screw holes with a drill press.

Note: the plexiglass tended to crack. For example, when I pressed the knobs onto the pots, the pickguard cracked a little. Also, the pickguard cracked at the input jack when someone stepped on the lead. If you use plexiglass, consider gluing backing strips (wood or metal I suppose) around the pots for support.

Can anyone suggest a material that is clear and not prone to cracking?

Relic · #4 10-06-2006, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass

Can anyone suggest a material that is clear and not prone to cracking?

Lexan? The stuff looks identical to acrylic (plexiglas) but is damn near unbreakable and certainly wont crack. Only drawback is that cutting it is a little trickier because it tends to melt a bit and gum up along the cut as you're shaping it, but yes, it can be done and would work brilliantly. Expect to pay a bit more than plexiglas however.

charic · #5 10-06-2006, 10:21 AM

i was planning on doing this with a hacksaw and filing the bevel... any problems likely to occur?

**Rodent** · #6 10-06-2006, 11:26 AM

I make my own pickguards for basses with a custom design. I start first with either printing paper or cardstock, and work the details on the body.

Once I have customer approval for the design, I then make a plywood template that will serve as the pattern for routing the pickguard material. Here's an image of the pickguard template I made for a Tele P5 project I'm just about to wrap up

and here's a test fit of the template on the actual bass prior to routing the new pickguard

Routing is relatively easy, and will require a second bit if you will also be chamfering/rounding/beveling the outer edge. Once you have the template, it's then easy to make new pickguards whenever you strike up a new fancy. Be sure to include the screw hole locations as well

Working this on a router table, or with an overhead pin router would be preferable ... but I make do just fine with what I currently have. It will definitely be easier when I include the router capability into my workbench.

all the best,

R

Bass · #7 10-06-2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charic

i was planning on doing this with a hacksaw and filing the bevel... any problems likely to occur?

You can try this, but I don't think you'll be satisfied with the result. The curves of the pickguard just won't appear smooth if cut with a hacksaw, which is the reason behind the wooden template.

I usually use a "jig-saw" to cut the wooden template, but the edges are still a little jagged. So the template is sanded by hand with say 80 grit then 180 grit sandpaper until the template looks and feels smooth. The router will follow and reproduce the curves of the template exactly.

Same thing with the file - I don't think you'll achieve a very even bevel. I made two pickguards, one was practice the other was for real. I didn't put a bevel on the practice pickguard, and I have it installed right now. It looks OK without the bevel.

Tough to see in the picture I guess. I painted the back black, which kind of defeats the purpose of it being see-through. But I thought I would get a more "mirrored" finish.

charic · #8 10-06-2006, 12:53 PM

I actually meant doing the actual pickguard with hacksaw and file

maybe ill see about buying one... anyone know of a uk provider for clear pickguards?

spudmaster34 · #9 10-06-2006, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Relic

Lexan? The stuff looks identical to acrylic (plexiglas) but is damn near unbreakable and certainly wont crack. Only drawback is that cutting it is a little trickier because it tends to melt a bit and gum up along the cut as you're shaping it, but yes, it can be done and would work brilliantly. Expect to pay a bit more than plexiglas however.

Thats what they make Nalgene water bottles out of, the only way my friend and I found to break one was to fill it to the top with water, freeze it and repetadly chuck it out the second story window onto the cocrete driveway below

Relic · #10 10-09-2006, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spudmaster34

Thats what they make Nalgene water bottles out of, the only way my friend and I found to break one was to fill it to the top with water, freeze it and repetadly chuck it out the second story window onto the cocrete driveway below

Nalgene water bottle are actually made from polyethyline (sp?) It's a softer and more inert plastic but gets brittle when chilled. I used to work in a plastics company - ohhh the joys of making my own free pickguards on my lunch hour...