Creating a pickguard

[wraub]

The guitar I'm working on has a few minor issues, and among them is the HSH configuration. Just not my thing, the middle PU gets in my way. However, the empty hole looks a little janky imo, so considering making a pickguard to cover the hole, clean up the face of the guitar, and possibly provide a place to mount the pickups.

However, it's not a typical body shape, and probably wasn't designed with a pickguard in mind. I've been cutting paper, and drawing on the body with a China Marker looking for ideas.

In such a situation, what's your method?

Thanks.

 

[Big Boz]

For the two that I made, I made paper templates. I'd tape it on and leave it for a while and just keep looking at it and changing the shape until it just looked right. Taped my final template to my material and cut it on the bandsaw. I use small files and custom made sanding blocks to fine fit it to the neck, pickups, and bridge. Then bevel the edge by hand, drill screw holes and attach. It took me about 6 hours start to finish on my last one.

 

[wraub]

Cool, thanks.

For the two that I made, I made paper templates. I'd tape it on and leave it for a while and just keep looking at it and changing the shape until it just looked right. Taped my final template to my material and cut it on the bandsaw. I use small files and custom made sanding blocks to fine fit it to the neck, pickups, and bridge. Then bevel the edge by hand, drill screw holes and attach. It took me about 6 hours start to finish on my last one.