GC Techs

On a musicman? Unscrew the screws and remove the old pickguard. Put the new one where the old one was. Screw in the screws. You can do it. I believe in you.

 

Just don't over tighten them. I believe in you too.

 

Don't you have to dip the screws in wax and make sure you put them back in the same holes they came out of too using the same amount of turns of the screwdriver?

 

They should turn into the threads that are already in the wood just fine. Unless you over-tighten them.

 

Just barely snug the screws up to avoid stripping the threads in the wood. I believe, too!

 

You didn't!! yikes.....

 

To actually answer your question, avoid GC techs if at all possible. At best they're useless and expensive. At worst they're incompetent and could damage your bass. Youtube has videos on all the possible kinds of work your bass might need. The hardware/setup/pickups/electronics subsections on talk bass can teach you anything else. Search for the question you're asking and start a thread if you can't find the answer.

 

Good job.

Now you can go apply to be a GC tech - ha ha.

 

GC techs I've seen are certainly not trained luthiers. For changing strings and adjusting action I'm sure they do just fine, but knowing a good luthier is important for any bassist or guitarist.

 

A pickguard is simple to change on your own. You don't need to remove the strings to do this job.
Get a Phillips head screwdriver that fits the screws on your bass. You will have multiple screws to remove. As you unscrew each one, put it in a safe place. After you've unscrewed all the screws, lift the old pickguard off. You can clean off the top surface of the bass if you wish. Place the new pickguard in the same position as the old one. Screw in all the screws but don't tighten them 100% yet. Keep them a bit loose. When all the screws are in place, then tighten down all the screws.

 

Sorry, Mon Capitaine, but I have to disagree. The tech at my local (Wilmington, DE) GC is quite good. He's done several mods on more than a few of my basses, as well as helped me with the assembly of my first successful parts-bass project. He's knowledgable, works quickly and gives me the "straight dope" when an idea I have just won't work. And then there's his endless patience with me when I need to pick his brain for info or bounce a brainstorm off him.

All this is relative, though. Like any company that reaches across the country, you'll get both good and bad employees. I, for example, excelled at a particular, once-powerful video store chain. (I was the in-house Film Geek) Despite the store being closed for three years, people still remember me and compare me to many of the awful workers I/they had to suffer through. After all…

You take the good…
You take the bad…
You take them both…
And there you have…
"The Facts of Life!"

 

+1

I am a fan of the tech in my local GC as well (Des Moines, IA). His name is Ian and he is a good guy and in my opinion the best tech in town. Smaller market, but regardless.