making a custom pickguard - how to steps

[Rodent]

to date if a bass I was building needed a pickguard, it was always a P-bass, J-bass, or MM-bass type job ... until now. For a project I'm working I needed to create a custom pickguard, and here's what's gone down

I first created a full-scale pattern with card stock so I could easily work out the styling details. Once my client and I were both satisfied, I created a wooden template from the card stock pattern.

and gave it a test fit

This template was then utilized to route a piece of .090" black matte vinyl making use of a 3/8" x 3/4" flush trim bit. Here's the results prior to finish sanding the edges and removing it from the template

This is a relatively simple job to do once you have a good fitting template. The most difficult part was getting all of the curves to flow smoothly, and to get that '51 Tele P vibe in a custom guard.

all the best,

R

 

[pilotjones]

Cool. Bevel?

 

[Rodent]

at the moment, the customer spec I have is for no chamfer

easy enough to do if the pickguard is still on the template - just use a second chamfer bit with bottom bearing like this

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on all of the edges that require the chamfer

all the best,

R

 

[Arnel M.]

to date if a bass I was building needed a pickguard, it was always a P-bass, J-bass, or MM-bass type job ... until now. For a project I'm working I needed to create a custom pickguard, and here's what's gone down

I first created a full-scale pattern with card stock so I could easily work out the styling details. Once my client and I were both satisfied, I created a wooden template from the card stock pattern.

View attachment 2677614

and gave it a test fit

View attachment 2677615

This template was then utilized to route a piece of .090" black matte vinyl making use of a 3/8" x 3/4" flush trim bit. Here's the results prior to finish sanding the edges and removing it from the template

View attachment 2677616


This is a relatively simple job to do once you have a good fitting template. The most difficult part was getting all of the curves to flow smoothly, and to get that '51 Tele P vibe in a custom guard.

all the best,

R

Nice one sir. Would you have a digital copy of the pattern? thank you.

 

[Axstar]

'51 P bass pickguard outlines vary a lot, surprisingly. I had a Mike Dirnt P bass for a while and a template came back barely fitting the bass. It has to match at the neck and down at the control plate.