SADOWSKY clear pickguard - mounting?

[Consul]

Hi All
Just been watching a bunch of you tube vids on 2021 and other year model hi-end Sadowsky's and notice on the models that have a clear plexi pickguard, it is not mounted with any screws. Given (a) the clarity of the pickguard and (b) the fact I can't imagine anyone using any type of glue product on such expensive wood (poly finished or not) I'm wondering what the secret magic sauce trick is (I'm building a Jazz style body with an expensive flame maple top and am considering a clear pickguard - don't want to mount it with screws though - that's a deal-breaker for me)

 

[sissy kathy]

Double sided tape; ugh.

I would just put an extra thick epoxy finish on it. Very durable and tough; plus it's repairable if you chip or gouge it.

Any method you use that doesn't firmly hold the pickguard against the wood all around the perimeter and at the pickups, will allow dust, dirt, and grime under it and you'll wind up removing the pickguard to at least clean there.

 

[Bloomfield]

LMI sells this transfer film Pickguard transfer adhesive, 8" x 10"

I've used it before and it works well but I can't remember if it is transparent. Most of the clear pickguards I've done on acoustic guitars have had the adhesive already on the clear sheet. I would ask LMI and ask, they are helpful and familiar with clear pickguards over nice woods.

 

[Consul]

Double sided tape; ugh.

I would just put an extra thick epoxy finish on it. Very durable and tough; plus it's repairable if you chip or gouge it.

Any method you use that doesn't firmly hold the pickguard against the wood all around the perimeter and at the pickups, will allow dust, dirt, and grime under it and you'll wind up removing the pickguard to at least clean there.

so, no offense meant, but I'm guessing you've never actually bought double sided tape. Its several mms thick, very visible and leaves a disgusting grimy sticky film residue that sucks to remove (I won't even use it to attach templates for routing). If you see the 2nd reply to my question, that is getting closer, but I'm still not entirely convinced that is how Roger does it.

 

[sissy kathy]

so, no offense meant, but I'm guessing you've never actually bought double sided tape. Its several mms thick, very visible and leaves a disgusting grimy sticky film residue that sucks to remove (I won't even use it to attach templates for routing). If you see the 2nd reply to my question, that is getting closer, but I'm still not entirely convinced that is how Roger does it.

HA! That's just oversize double sided tape.. And I wasn't suggesting you use it, I was decrying it's use. That method is fine for under an opaque layer, but under a transparent one you are asking for trouble. The larger the top layer is, the more likely you will trap air under it

I suggested putting an extra thick epoxy finish on it and forgoing a pickguard.. I think ANY repairable finish is preferable to a pickguard when trying to show off the wood.

 

[Turnaround]

I don't recall ever seeing a plexi pickguard on a Sadowsky. The only time I have seen a clear guard it was on a New York model and it was a thick static cling sheet - no adhesive, no tape no screws. It also had a buckle rash protector on the backside, also cling sheet.

 

[sissy kathy]

I don't recall ever seeing a plexi pickguard on a Sadowsky. The only time I have seen a clear guard it was on a New York model and it was a thick static cling sheet - no adhesive, no tape no screws. It also had a buckle rash protector on the backside, also cling sheet.

OP here's a link to some cling sheets like @Turnaround mentioned. They sound like a better idea than my suggestion.

Pick Guard Guitar & Bass Scratch Protection-clear static cling | eBay

 

[cxcxcx]

I don't recall ever seeing a plexi pickguard on a Sadowsky. The only time I have seen a clear guard it was on a New York model and it was a thick static cling sheet - no adhesive, no tape no screws. It also had a buckle rash protector on the backside, also cling sheet.

Clear plexi pick guards were much more prominent during Sadowsky’s early years. They were screwed on. The first body designs without the pickguard left a space between the top of the bass and the bottom of the G string that could be uncomfortable for slap technique. The pickguard was used to close up this gap and make it feel like a Fender in that regard. They were often half guards made of clear plexi so quilted tops were not obscured. Later designs did not require the clear pickguard and a greater focus was placed on models with more traditional pickguards and top-mount control plates

Will Lee was the most prominent user of the clear plexi guard on his Sadowkys and did hundreds of Letterman shows with a sunburst quilt 4 string with a clear guard. A five string version of that bass is pictured below, as well as one of his newer ones with a clear screw-on guard. He hasn’t played a clear guard in many years but was playing the dark quilt bass two weeks ago on a short midwest tour.

 

[walterw]

Any method you use that doesn't firmly hold the pickguard against the wood all around the perimeter and at the pickups, will allow dust, dirt, and grime under it and you'll wind up removing the pickguard to at least clean there.

agreed, clear pickguards always end up looking like the collection of dust and dead bugs you find in your ceiling light fixture

 

[sissy kathy]

View attachment 4705549

Lug a'dat! A left Hofner violin strung right.