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Really cheap pick guards?

D

DrVenkman

Jan 22, 2010
191
18
Pacific NW
#1
I'm looking for a really cheap (but not absolutely hideous) pick guard for a 5 string OLP bass (the OLP MM3). I want to add a second pickup and play around with a few control options but don't want to muck up the original pick guard in case I decide to go back to the original configuration.

So two things. I can't find anybody on line that sells the 5 string version of the pick guard - pickguards.com just offers the 4 string version. Does anybody know if one that will fit a real Musicman also fit an OLP? I know the 4 string versions are different, but don't know about the 5 string ones.

Second, I'm looking for cheap. I only spend $115 to buy the bass, so I can't justify spending too much on the pickguard. Is there a cheap source on line, or has anybody made their own and had it work out well?
 
#2
You could think outside the box, and make your own from a variety of materials- leather, plexi/acrylic, old record albums, etc. This is likely the less expensive option.

You could think alongside the box and but a sheet of PG material and make your own. Potentially more expensive, but still fun.

You could just remove the guard you have now and play it naked. This is free, in more ways than one.
 
#4
I have an OLP MM3 also. I cannot find a pickguard anywhere. A couple of these place said that if i traced the original that they could make a custom one for me at around $100 though... If you find anything, please let me know!
 
#5
get you a sheet of lexan large enough to make your own. Double stick tape your guard on the sheet, trace it and cut it out. You can dye it different colors with RIT fabric dye or get crazy with wax and several different colors of dye and come out with a tie dye guard. Or get a sheet of copper from the art supply house and cut a guard from that then go all steampunk on it. The hands down funkiest guard I've seen was several old car tags JB Welded together then a guard cut from that. I've also seen a resonator cone made from a car hubcap. If you could luck up on an old metal sign and use that, it would be kinda cool as well.
 
#8
Here is the link to a template for the SR5 pickguard from terrapin guitars:
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You can print it full sized and see if it will fit. Then maybe they can make you one without the 4th pot hole or switch cutout. If this is too pricey, you may be able to use the template to make your own, since you don't have the original.
 
#11
Thanks guy's. I was hoping someone would step up and just e-mail me a tracing, but whatever. I think I'll use the SR5 template and run with that. Can't be that far off. Thank you @soflbass appreciate the helpful advise. I'll check WDmusic also @spaz, thank you.
 
#12
So I bought a MM SR5 pickguard ... It's too far off to use. Knobs don't line up, pickuo gap is too small and there's a big gap at the truss rod site. O and the curves by the bridge are off. I don't think it even good for a template... Good idea though... I would if the Sterling is any closer?
 
#13
Something you can try is making your own template using thick paper. Once you get it done, you can either send your template to a pickguard fab shop to fabricate or make your own using home tools such as a coping saw and some dremel attachments. You can buy blank sheets as previously mentioned. Shouldn't be that difficult.
 
#14
Istrabass said:
I don't have the original pickguard... This is insane to me that this is 2014 and I can't find a pickguard...
Click to expand...

Why don't you hook up with DrVenkman(the OP) and get him to trace his and snail mail the tracing to you.... or is that too easy? :roflmao:

You could as repayment to him make a guard out of something you have on hand and send it to him. Win-win all around.
 
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