Yes, Pickguardian has gotten that bad

[rickledog]

Like your order!

My count...

Proactive communication: None. I emailed every time

Firm deadlines: None. everything was an estimation couched with “maybe”, “hope”, “should” etc.

Estimations given: 5-ish

· 1-2 weeks

· No real estimation just “I’m running behind. I’ll let you know when it ships”

· 7-8 weeks

· 9 weeks

· 11 weeks

Estimations met: 0

Understanding/acknowledgement/apologies/etc.: 1

 

[ronsvintage]

My 2 cents - I have ordered dozens of Rickenbacker pickguards from Pickguardian over the years, and generally if not always found him to be responsive. I usually send him either a tracing of the guard that's being replaced or the actual guard itself, so he can line up the screw holes. I sent him two damaged guards last week and got notice today that the new guards have shipped. As to highly customized orders, I don't have experience with those.

 

[fhm555]

So that’s two companies that aren’t reliable when it comes to pickguards….

WDMusic gets thrashed here for their customer service on pickguards, but I’ve ordered 6 pickguards from WD over the last few years, 2 custom-made from my traces. The 4 stock pickguards arrived in the customary 5-7 business days. The 2 custom pickguards took between 2-3 weeks to arrive, but both were perfectly made. So I’d definitely order from WD again based on my experiences.

However, I’ll never discount someone’s else’s less that positive experiences and I do keep them in mind.

Same Here, one custom cut and several from stock and all were painless and perfect.

 

[WoodyJ]

Here's a Pickguardian guard on a 1961 Kay K-300 that I was doing a semi re-restoration on for a friend a couple of months ago. The original pickguard was a shattered mess that Tony managed to piece together to build an absolutely perfect copy. Yes, it took longer than usual. The end result was worth it and the cost was very reasonable.

 

[friedlbug]

See any better responses these days? I’ve used PG once, but it was a good experience, and I need another semi-custom job again.

 

[rickledog]

See any better responses these days? I’ve used PG once, but it was a good experience, and I need another semi-custom job again.

As a matter of fact, I just got a custom guard back from Toe's Custom Pickguards and beginning to end, 100% could not be happier. I'll elaborate.

1. Read his bio and you'll see he started the business because he had a similar experience to me. Kudos, sir.
2. Communication 12/10: I emailed on a Saturday. He responded immediately and sent his number for texts. I sent a pic, we settled on materials, cost, and mailing arrangements, etc. He let me know when he received my pickguard and the replacement material, and he sent me pics through the whole process, and of course sent a tracking number when it got shipped. I don't think it would be fair to think he can keep that up forever, but the point is that he cares.
3. Price 12/10: $86 including shipping for a custom 4-ply tortoise shell. How? Maybe he's a machine. I don't know. I sent $100 and still felt sort of bad.
4. Quality 10/10: Outstanding. It fits perfectly, the edges are finished beautifully, he included foil tape around the pickups and electronics. 12/10 would involve working on this for 12 hours, so I hope we can all accept the perfect 10/10 on this one.
5. Time 12/10: He turned it over immediately. Again, I don't expect he can keep that up forever, but I know you could trust his estimates, and that he would communicate any changes with the understanding that he has your baby. He would treat questions and concern with respect. He gets it. There is no way he would ever tell you two weeks, then two weeks later tell you two weeks again, then do the same thing again....
6. Experience 12/10: What else can I say. Seriously. Go to Toe's.

The bass is an early 80's MIJ 32" Squire with replaced everythings. The pickguard is way too pretty for the old relic. BTW, the gold foil near the electronics is my sloppy work spilling over from the interior, not from the pickguard.

 

[JKaftertwoxans]

It's hard to believe there are people in here defending such a severe lack of professionalism. I could understand the arguments againt the OP's emails if this work was being done pro bono with no payment involved, but this guy is taking your money and expecting you to kiss his rear gently as well in order for you to even get what you paid for with your hard earned cash

 

[Geri O]

It's hard to believe there are people in here defending such a severe lack of professionalism. I could understand the arguments againt the OP's emails if this work was being done pro bono with no payment involved, but this guy is taking your money and expecting you to kiss his rear gently as well in order for you to even get what you paid for with your hard earned cash

Hey, slow down a skotch there, bud...

Seriously, what you have folks like me with good experiences do? Lie? Shut up? Gimme a break.

I don't know what happened with the OP, nor do I make any assertions. So now we can't pass on our experiences with the vendor as well?

 

[friskinator]

As a matter of fact, I just got a custom guard back from Toe's Custom Pickguards and beginning to end, 100% could not be happier. I'll elaborate.

1. Read his bio and you'll see he started the business because he had a similar experience to me. Kudos, sir.
2. Communication 12/10: I emailed on a Saturday. He responded immediately and sent his number for texts. I sent a pic, we settled on materials, cost, and mailing arrangements, etc. He let me know when he received my pickguard and the replacement material, and he sent me pics through the whole process, and of course sent a tracking number when it got shipped. I don't think it would be fair to think he can keep that up forever, but the point is that he cares.
3. Price 12/10: $86 including shipping for a custom 4-ply tortoise shell. How? Maybe he's a machine. I don't know. I sent $100 and still felt sort of bad.
4. Quality 10/10: Outstanding. It fits perfectly, the edges are finished beautifully, he included foil tape around the pickups and electronics. 12/10 would involve working on this for 12 hours, so I hope we can all accept the perfect 10/10 on this one.
5. Time 12/10: He turned it over immediately. Again, I don't expect he can keep that up forever, but I know you could trust his estimates, and that he would communicate any changes with the understanding that he has your baby. He would treat questions and concern with respect. He gets it. There is no way he would ever tell you two weeks, then two weeks later tell you two weeks again, then do the same thing again....
6. Experience 12/10: What else can I say. Seriously. Go to Toe's.

The bass is an early 80's MIJ 32" Squire with replaced everythings. The pickguard is way too pretty for the old relic. BTW, the gold foil near the electronics is my sloppy work spilling over from the interior, not from the pickguard.

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He just quoted me $95 plus shipping for a custom P-bass guard in 3-ply white/black/white. Even if he does good work, that's an insanely high price for a basic guard.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

He just quoted me $95 plus shipping for a custom P-bass guard in 3-ply white/black/white. Even if he does good work, that's an insanely high price for a basic guard.

I'm curious why you think that $95 is insanely high? I've been making pickguards for about 30 years as part of my business. I have the tools and machines and technology. If I made a custom P-bass pickguard, it would be about $20 in material and $100+ in labor. That's what it costs and takes to make one special one. These $20 pickguards that you see are made in batches of a thousand at a time in a highly automated factory overseas.

 

[friskinator]

I'm curious why you think that $95 is insanely high? I've been making pickguards for about 30 years as part of my business. I have the tools and machines and technology. If I made a custom P-bass pickguard, it would be about $20 in material and $100+ in labor. That's what it costs and takes to make one special one. These $20 pickguards that you see are made in batches of a thousand at a time in a highly automated factory overseas.

Every other quote I’ve gotten has been at least $20-30 cheaper. I exaggerated when I said “insanely,” but I figured a $100 custom guard would at least involve a specialty material or technique.

 

[Geri O]

It's hard to believe there are people in here defending such a severe lack of professionalism. I could understand the arguments againt the OP's emails if this work was being done pro bono with no payment involved, but this guy is taking your money and expecting you to kiss his rear gently as well in order for you to even get what you paid for with your hard earned cash

“Hey, slow down a skotch there, bud...

Seriously, what you have folks like me with good experiences do? Lie? Shut up? Gimme a break.

I don't know what happened with the OP, nor do I make any assertions. So now we can't pass on our experiences with the vendor as well?”

And I’m still waiting for a response to my question there, @JKaftertwoxans….?

 

[Gilmourisgod]

So......after all this Sturm, Drang, and Airing of Greivances, anybody got an alternative source to suggest based on recent experience?

 

[Bruce Johnson]

So......after all this Sturm, Drang, and Airing of Greivances, anybody got an alternative source to suggest based on recent experience?

Unfortunately, most of the smaller custom pickguard makers have folded and closed and moved on to other things. It's too hard to make money making one-offs. It isn't worth it. Most of us Luthiers will cut our own pickguards for our own model instruments, or for custom projects that are right there. They are not hard to make. But it doesn't make sense to do mail-order custom pickguards as a business.

 

[Geri O]

So......after all this Sturm, Drang, and Airing of Greivances, anybody got an alternative source to suggest based on recent experience?

Two possible answers….

1. there were many positive reports on the sources in question, perhaps as many positives or even more. I’d count, but I’m not thst interested. Try focusing on the positive ones.

And then there’s this one….

2. No.

 

[friskinator]

So......after all this Sturm, Drang, and Airing of Greivances, anybody got an alternative source to suggest based on recent experience?

Least expensive quote I've gotten so far is $50 + shipping from a small builder that was recommended to me. And that's for a basic 3-ply parchment P-bass guard.

For non-custom guards where you know EXACTLY what you need, Amazon is your friend.

 

[deff]

Just wanted to add in I ordered a 72 tele bass scratchplate from Pickguard Heaven and I got the part within their 2.5 week timeframe for turnaround.

But....... I am a little dismayed at the neck pocket opening. I have about an 1/8" or around 3-4mm gap on both sides of my neck when test fitting it. I'll probably just deal with it, as it is black on black. But it is a rather large gap

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Having built a few basses now has only massively increased my admiration for anybody who manages to make a living doing it. If I had to do any of it on a tight schedule and under budget, I would surely FAIL and end up earning waht amounts to minimum wage. I'm not making excuses for Pickguardian, if you promise to do something, you suck it up and do it, or issue a refund, but I can see how a guy could get suddenly swamped in a business that isn't easily scalable short of investing ins some serious CNC equipment. There's enough variation in pickguard profiles, hole patterns, pickup routes, etc, it seems like the safest way is some kind of pin-router setup using the original guards as templates, which is how I assume he does it. I have the skills now to make my own, but if you don't, and you want it right, I guess you just pony up. I can only report my own experience, which was fairly positive. The Sticky section is replete with decades old "I got screwed on a Custom Build" threads, but you don't hear much about the ones that came off without a hitch.

 

[Topkat13]

I’ve been in contact with Tony at pickguardian over the last couple of days. He’s been very responsive. I sent him $6 over the weekend for some samples which go out today. He’s done several custom guards for my Sadowsky’s and always surpassed my quality/delivery expectations.

 

[Deleted member 394181]

Got an Anodized Aluminum pickguard from Kalish for my MIM Jazz. The fit is better than Stock! Amazon order.