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Any experience with the Pickguard Shop?
- Thread starter catcauphonic
- Start date
Well, this has been an odd story. I received my pickguard from Mark a few days after my previous post. It looked great, but was too large for my bass, a 2020 Rickenbacker 4003W - so large that the edge of the pickguard would have been hanging off the edge of the bass's body! I had pre-approved the template Mark used to cut the pickguard (after a cursory look - my bad), so I didn't expect any action on his part, but I did contact him to let him know that the pickguard "as is" was not usable. To my surprise, he offered to cut me a new one ... IF I provided him with a full-size tracing of my current pickguard to use as his template. Reasonable request, I thought. I made a tracing and sent it to Prague. But as of this writing four weeks later, the tracing apparently hasn't been received. (It took only two weeks for my pickguard to get from Prague to the U.S. east coast, and the U.S. Post Office estimated delivery of my package to Mark within three weeks.) To make things even more interesting, my emails to Mark are now bouncing, with international email servers treating his address as a spam source.
However, there is a happy ending. While the pickguard Mark cut for me was too big for my Ric, the routs and screw-holes in it were properly placed. Given that, I took out my rotary cutting tool and diamond files to see if I could trim the pickguard down to proper size. The photo shows the result.
However, there is a happy ending. While the pickguard Mark cut for me was too big for my Ric, the routs and screw-holes in it were properly placed. Given that, I took out my rotary cutting tool and diamond files to see if I could trim the pickguard down to proper size. The photo shows the result.
Attachments
Mark is nice, but i placed my red anodized order back last sept and still don't have it, keep saying in couple of weeks. I'm tired of the game and don't recommend anyone here take the chance...sad but true
Good news, looks like its about to be finished. I did want to mention that mark had nicely offered a different guard while waiting on my red one. This whole situation was out of their hands on the anodized front, but they need to source a new place to get that done. These delays were long. I do love all the options they offer compared to other pickguard websites.
Was actually asked by Mark to mention what i did above about being offered a different guard. Have another missed deadline this week, was told it would be done....If you're reading this mark, man i'm sorry to seem dickish, but this is just crazy long. Was ordered in sept and its now 2nd week of march....thats nuts....If you're gonna offer anodized, you need to do it in house or not offer...i'm done complaining, just needed to vent somewhere...
Ok, good news again, lol Maybe finally happening. Mark has been very nice, I know it's not really his fault, but would be nice if they could source another anodizing vendor to work with. I do appreciate his updates for me. Keeping the dream alive
thought things were finally going my way....after 7 months it was finally shipped. after a week or so in customs in NY, it finally arrived in my city. That was on march 28th.
29th left facility on way to next facility
30th left facility on way to next...
31st left....on way to.....
1st left on way to...
2nd left on way to...
between the crazy long time via pickguard shop ( sorry mark, just calling balls and strikes here) and now the usps has lost my package. I've filled out all the forms, have been told to wait 5 more business days before they can try anything else....this is just damned stupid on all parties fronts....f'em all
29th left facility on way to next facility
30th left facility on way to next...
31st left....on way to.....
1st left on way to...
2nd left on way to...
between the crazy long time via pickguard shop ( sorry mark, just calling balls and strikes here) and now the usps has lost my package. I've filled out all the forms, have been told to wait 5 more business days before they can try anything else....this is just damned stupid on all parties fronts....f'em all
Mine arrived today safely finally after going missing for about a week, lol. It's very nicely done, better than i could have hoped for. I was pretty hard on them for sure, was disappointed in the timeline, but they came thru for me and Mark mentioned they have a new anodizing company they work with now. So i'm a believer for sure. Syvy, hope all works out for you also. Strange times we live in. Will post a pic once i get it installed on my precision. Thanks Mark...
I have been waiting for my Thunderbird pickguard for 6 weeks now. After going back and forth with them over the (wrong) template, and their difficulties with CNC, I went ahead and cranked up my scroll saw and knocked out a pickguard for my Thunderbird in about an hour, cut, sanded, and drilled (with countersink)....and it is perfect....not bad for my first try....That was two weeks ago, and I have not heard a peep out of them since. I have no hope of receiving a refund.
My experience with these people appears to be the norm. They take your money, jerk you around, and don't do refunds. I will be sure to steer anyone I know clear of these scammers.Ok, good news again, lol Maybe finally happening. Mark has been very nice, I know it's not really his fault, but would be nice if they could source another anodizing vendor to work with. I do appreciate his updates for me. Keeping the dream alive
