Change you Pickguard color for free!

Here's how...step by step.

Start Time:
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Step 1) Find a vinyl graphics shop, (sign shop) and ask them if they have any scrap pieces of vinyl they are just going to throw out, and if they are really nice they might give you a free squigee. (I used to be in the sign business, vinyl costs as low as $2 for 12" x 30" approx, and whenever we made an order, they'd throw us free squigees - I would throw out enough vinyl for 10 - 20 pickguards everyday.

Here's what they gave me free:

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Step 2) Remove PG, and clean really good with glass/plastic cleaner. Get your tools ready:

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Step 3) Cut vinyl (scissors) to a little bigger than your PG:

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Step 4) Tape vinyl to table (PG underneath), use masking tape:



Step 5) Flip vinyl over and peel backing off:

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Step 6) Spray sticky side of vinyl with glass cleaner: (this will help you remove bubbles etc, before it dries....do not try a dry apply, I can do it, but I still don't...just in case.

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Step 7) Sguigee out bubbles, notice I use the backing paper, in between vinyl and squigee (so not to scratch). Press hard:

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Step 8) Let dry...maybe place in sun, or light hair dryer use, look for and eliminate bubbles, most will move with your finger, pop others with a pin, or exacto tip:

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Step 5) Drag a sharp (new) exacto blade along edges to cut away unwanted vinyl. (in pic, I haven't cut out pup whole yet.



Step 6) Re-install PG...done: a bit of touch up needed, will post final pics later...

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TimeOUT:
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More tips/tricks/info to follow:

ok...not liking the burgundy...stay tuned

Trevorus said:

Yeah, I didn't think it was the right color for a sunburst guitar./

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Next I try gold....just like yours....teaching for 15 mins more...then doing it.

There is some neat colors out there, some you will never find another PG like it, look at specialty colors

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Removal, just peel off, no damage what-so-ever to original PG:

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Give me a few minutes....Gold up next!

A photoshopper could help me right now - hehehe

But this is fun!!!!

I like this better....sorry, low lighting at night in my studio.

What should I try next?

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Cerb said:

What is the bass beneath that pickguard? I love the shape.

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That is a Samick Fairlane, (Greg Bennett design)

I love it too!!!, it's like a "racing jazz" eh?

Awesome balance, most of this bass uses jass dimensions, fast neck....teeny tiny headstock (see pics, next post), Wicked bridge, yet a pain to intonate (no biggie...set it , forget it right?...)

Have 2 Geddy Lee Sig. pups going in her this week

$299cdn used.............yipeee!, traded a Epiphone Special II GTR (which has the worst Body Dive EVER) good riddence!

The PG looks white in the pic, but when I put it next to my piano keys, you notice a tinge of mint green....yuk

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There is also MYLAR....and REFLECTIVE

Mylar is gold, silver, etc and is like a mirror, little more expensive (scraps are free right?), and trickier to work with...you crease it, it will show

I noticed the Antique Bronze....kinda like tort....I might order a tiny piece.

Reflective is the stuff they use on road and construction signs....sometimes called "traffic reflective"

I will demonstrate this with my Aria Pro II, which never had a pickguard...I will design a PG shape, and have the sign guy "plot" (or cut) it....and voila, the appearance like I have a PG, yet it's paper thin, you will barely notice any difference, and if you don't like it....simply remove it (I'll show you how to do it right from bass finish).

The cut charge (if you do the design and cut file youself - *info coming soon*) should be around $1 - $2, and will take the machine about 8 seconds, .....my apply job about 7 mins. COMING SOON!!!

Whats a good color PG on a Burgundy Bass??...hurry!

Now....you can also design your own graphics and have them cut....maybe a neat tribal thing...maybe your signature, or band logo, maybe racing stripes (starting to think I should get back in the biz....not a chance....very stressful to be a sign guy, everyone waits till the last min, and then wants it yesterday...I LOVE TEACHING/RECORDING/PERFORMING, that's it ...that's all

I have many friends in the biz who I can refer you to, but there's probably a great sign guy right down the street from you working out of his garage, who will help you even more than me. Plus there are some great designers here on TB who I'm sure will help.

Some sign shops can actually print photographic images onto white vinyl (like a giant inkjet) and it applies the same way as above, imagine a cute family portrait on your PG, .............or a devil ripping the head off a demon....whatever - hehehe

This will cost you about $5....still cheaper than a blank PG, or aftermarket PG

For my Fairlane, there are NO available options other than buying blank PG material ($35cdn plus tax, plus shipping, plus wait)...THEN I have to cut it (I don't own the right tool, how much are they?) .................and what if I don't like it?

This is cheap, easy and fun (and never set in stone!)

I can't believe I found this...

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not only did we do the kick head graphics...(and road cases too)

but, an hour before the shoot that drumkit was solid black...look at the snare to the right of the kick....ya, that's me back there....

we vinyl'd it up with the same gold on my PG, cost the drummer $60 worth of vinyl, and he had enough left to do 2 more kits.

This was done in 2003, and the kit still looks the same today....except for the kick head graphic.

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HELLonWheels187 said:

I got some contact paper left over from when i did this to my cab.


Ill make a pickguard using the wood paper and ill see how it looks.

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VERY COOL!!!!....a Bass that matches it's Amp (just a bit)

simply BRILLIANT!!!.....post the pics ASAP!!!!!

KUDOS to HELLonWheels

::Saint:: said:

Very interesting - but how durable is it and how long would it last before the vinyl starts peeling off?

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What we call 10mil vinyl can last 5-7 years on your vehicle outside and in the sun, snow, sleet rain etc....so imagine with weather and sunlight not being an issue how long it will last.

2mil vinyl will give you 8 - 10 years

I have a logo on my bass trap case that I cut and installed 14 years ago....still looks exactely the same as the day I cut it....

If you take care of it, keep it out of direct sunlight for hours on end, it can last for decades....and if it gets scratched or lifts due to improper installation, just re-do it.