• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Custom Pickguards

McHack

McHack

Jul 29, 2003
5,630
6
62
Central Ohio!
#1
I've recently had an idea for a custom pickguard, for my Warmoth Dinky J, w/ a PJ pup configuration. The body is rear routed, so, this would be for decorative purposes only.

I'm hoping I can find a wenge pickguard Jazz pickguard, w/ the cutout for PJ pups, that I could just screw onto the body. I wouldnt mind using a traditional 4 chrome control cover to mate with it.

Anyone have any ideas?
 
#3
I've been wanting to do,,, SOMETHING for a while. I'd link a pic, if I could find where the gallery link is now... the body is a black korina dinky J, w/ a trans blue finish... Thing is, it came out pretty dark. You have to look pretty hard to find out if its black, or blue. Combine that w/ wenge neck, & ebony fingerboard... its one cosmetically dark looking bass. One that shows finger prints really badly.
 
#5
make your own!
It's really not all that hard, check out the one I made for my jazz:
http://lordgoogle.com/bass/mim_fretless_jazz.html
That one's a baltic birch plywood test, I'm currently working on the flamed maple final version.

I'd suggest 1/8" or maybe 3/16" thick wood (thinboards.com is a good source), I needed 9" wide for mine so you could probably get away with the same. Then it's just a matter of tracing your shape, cutting carefully around where the neck goes (and testing often for a good fit), and mounting it under your knobs. I used a hand-held jigsaw and finished it with a file and some sandpaper.

Heck, if I had one of those basses I'd make one for you. It's easy and fun!
 
#6
Hmmm, interesting... I dont really need something that's 24" long, but fully expect 9-10" wide would be about right.

Did you talk w/ these guys, or just order straight from them? Guess I need to find a cheap pickguard & measure to see how long I'd need it.
 
#7
I found some doorskin/cayak material at a lumberyard near me that worked very well, despite my incompatibility with hand carving. Handheld Jig Saw +1, and a dremel. for roughing your sand, then a sanding block to put a bevel on the edges. So far, its held up better than the stock plastic one and for five bucks.
 
#8
McHack said:
Hmmm, interesting... I dont really need something that's 24" long, but fully expect 9-10" wide would be about right.

Did you talk w/ these guys, or just order straight from them? Guess I need to find a cheap pickguard & measure to see how long I'd need it.
Click to expand...

I actually have only talked to them. I bought my wood through someone else and am seriously regretting it after finding this guy. (Dirk is his name.) He takes his wood seriously, unlike the guy I got mine from. >_<
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back