getting rid of the pickguard

[I NEED HELP123]

Re: getting rid of the pickguard

Wait a minute...first you're suggesting to use plywood and just paint over the edges. Now you're saying that that's a bad option and it would be better to "countersink" plywood on the top so there won't be any exposed edges.

By "countersink" I assume you mean routing and inlaying the entire top? And you think that that would be more simple than covering the entire surface with a thin solid wood veneer?!!!

If that is correct then it is VERY clear that you have done neither of those procedures. I am a very accomplished guitar builder, but I would not ever attempt THAT!

It's time to get your feet back on the ground and get real, and offer some helpful/useful information to an obvious beginner at guitar modding.

Firstly I'm the guy that is starting with modding and I am the guy that started this thread.

with countersinking the pickguard cavity he means routing a bit of wood away from the edge of the pickguard cavity / making an edge, where you can fit a piece of wood to sit flush with the body.


since i don't have a router or any experience with countersinking and you guys recommend me to not cover the top of the guitar with plywood, I think I would better try filling the cavity and sanding/filling it flush, or do you guys think i can better pay someone to "countersink" the cavity.

 

[Jacew]

Re: getting rid of the pickguard

Firstly I'm the guy that is starting with modding and I am the guy that started this thread.

with countersinking the pickguard cavity he means routing a bit of wood away from the edge of the pickguard cavity / making an edge, where you can fit a piece of wood to sit flush with the body.
View attachment 86464

since i don't have a router or any experience with countersinking and you guys recommend me to not cover the top of the guitar with plywood, I think I would better try filling the cavity and sanding/filling it flush, or do you guys think i can better pay someone to "countersink" the cavity.

Exactly.

Filling the cavity is not going to be easy task either. And there's no way of knowing how it would affect the guitar. Keeping the cavity as is would be safer.

You could ask a carpenter how much they'd charge for doing the countersink, pickguard and gluing it level. If you do all the rest (stripping the body, sanding, painting etc...) It might be very reasonable.

But if you just want to get a guitar without pickguard... I'm not sure if it's worth it going through all that.

 

[Jacew]

Re: getting rid of the pickguard

Of course the easiest and probably best solution would be to paint the pickguard same color as guitar and see how you like it.

 

[I NEED HELP123]

Re: getting rid of the pickguard

Exactly.

Filling the cavity is not going to be easy task either. And there's no way of knowing how it would affect the guitar. Keeping the cavity as is would be safer.

You could ask a carpenter how much they'd charge for doing the countersink, pickguard and gluing it level. If you do all the rest (stripping the body, sanding, painting etc...) It might be very reasonable.

But if you just want to get a guitar without pickguard... I'm not sure if it's worth it going through all that.

You guys said that it's very hard to paint plywood, but out of what should I make the countersunk pickguard then?

I can strip the paint with a heatgun, make the countersunk pickguard, glue it in, sand it/fill it, and then prime and paint.
I would only have to pay someone to make the countersink.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: getting rid of the pickguard

I think he meant plywood with veneer. Like you said, veneer will not hold.

No, NOT plywood! Solid wood. What do you mean, "it will not hold"? What do you think is on the top, sides and back of an acoustic guitar (yes, some use a plywood on the sides and back)?

Here's an example of 1/8" solid wood veneer...https://www.ebay.com/itm/18-PIECE-M...PURPLEHEART-PADAUK-12-X-3-X-1-8-/382230667536

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: getting rid of the pickguard

Firstly I'm the guy that is starting with modding and I am the guy that started this thread.

with countersinking the pickguard cavity he means routing a bit of wood away from the edge of the pickguard cavity / making an edge, where you can fit a piece of wood to sit flush with the body.
View attachment 86464

since i don't have a router or any experience with countersinking and you guys recommend me to not cover the top of the guitar with plywood, I think I would better try filling the cavity and sanding/filling it flush, or do you guys think i can better pay someone to "countersink" the cavity.

OK, I'm getting a little confused. Are you wanting to essentially reface your guitar to cover all of the body cavities that were covered by the original pickguard and then rout out the pup cavities and trem cavity? Or are you wanting to just make a small control cavity cover that is recessed flush with the surface? And if this is the case, are you wanting the cover to be wood that matches the rest of the guitar and that's why you don't just want a plastic cover?

When you don't have a clue as to what you want and can't articulate your desires, it is next to impossible for anyone to offer any useful information to help you.

 

[I NEED HELP123]

Re: getting rid of the pickguard

OK, I'm getting a little confused. Are you wanting to essentially reface your guitar to cover all of the body cavities that were covered by the original pickguard and then rout out the pup cavities and trem cavity? Or are you wanting to just make a small control cavity cover that is recessed flush with the surface? And if this is the case, are you wanting the cover to be wood that matches the rest of the guitar and that's why you don't just want a plastic cover?

When you don't have a clue as to what you want and can't articulate your desires, it is next to impossible for anyone to offer any useful information to help you.

I want to reface the guitar, removing the pickguard. then rout out the pickup cavities.

I want to refinish the guitar, but i don't think the finish is going to look good with the finish that's why i'm getting rid of the pickguard.

 

[I NEED HELP123]

Re: getting rid of the pickguard

No, NOT plywood! Solid wood. What do you mean, "it will not hold"? What do you think is on the top, sides and back of an acoustic guitar (yes, some use a plywood on the sides and back)?

Here's an example of 1/8" solid wood veneer...https://www.ebay.com/itm/18-PIECE-M...PURPLEHEART-PADAUK-12-X-3-X-1-8-/382230667536

With plywood I mean this. Do I really need to use veneer.



The veneer that was in the link you sent was over 3mm thick. i thought you were talking about a thinner veneer.

 

[AlexR]

Re: getting rid of the pickguard

To put on a veneer you will need a vacuum former.....to suck the veneer onto the curved arm rest.

Do NOT use plywood. Its been said a few times now. Well unless you want the guitar to look like crap afterwards.
You will need something about that 3mm, as anything thinner will simply break with the least pressure over hollow areas. That thickness will also be able to bend with the right application of water/steam and the vacuum forming.

 

[I NEED HELP123]

Re: getting rid of the pickguard

To put on a veneer you will need a vacuum former.....to suck the veneer onto the curved arm rest.

Do NOT use plywood. Its been said a few times now. Well unless you want the guitar to look like crap afterwards.
You will need something about that 3mm, as anything thinner will simply break with the least pressure over hollow areas. That thickness will also be able to bend with the right application of water/steam and the vacuum forming.

It is the plan to countersink the pickguard and put a piece of wood there, It will not be over the armrest. I will have a look at some thick veneers.

I believe you when you say use veneer, but could you explain?

 

[AlexR]

Re: getting rid of the pickguard

You need to look at the purpose of both.
Veneer is a thin bit of solid wood.....its purpose is looks but without bulk. Not only will it look good by itself, but the finish can be expected to react the same as finish on other parts of the body providing consistency of look.

Ply is mostly strength/stability for thickness where you want coverage of large areas.......say over house framing. The wood is usually low quality - and it is generally understood that there will be a decorative layer on top. Any finish on top of such material is quite poor in consistency unless huge prep and coating is done.

Be aware that countersinking you will still likely have a gap between the two. It would be best to have a decorative bit of wood maybe clear/stained with your solid colour body as contrast.

 

[Jacew]

Re: getting rid of the pickguard

Considering that the original question was simply about making the pickguard disappear this has gotten pretty out of hands. I approve your professional approach to the topic: I'm more of diy person and just providing my own insight to it.

I agree that thick veneer would definitely be better option. (Didn't knew that's also called veneer). But expensive, you'd need properly dried quality piece, and it does still risks splitting. Is it worth it?

Now resurfacing the entire body is whole different that i'm not going to say anything about. I was only talking about making a pickguard that wouldn't be as distinctive from the body as they normally are.

The big question here is: How much are you willing to spend in the project, in time and in money?

 

[I NEED HELP123]

Re: getting rid of the pickguard

Considering that the original question was simply about making the pickguard disappear this has gotten pretty out of hands. I approve your professional approach to the topic: I'm more of diy person and just providing my own insight to it.

I agree that thick veneer would definitely be better option. (Didn't knew that's also called veneer). But expensive, you'd need properly dried quality piece, and it does still risks splitting. Is it worth it?

Now resurfacing the entire body is whole different that i'm not going to say anything about. I was only talking about making a pickguard that wouldn't be as distinctive from the body as they normally are.

The big question here is: How much are you willing to spend in the project, in time and in money?

Time isn't a problem for me. To realize this project it's going to take at least 2 months I think, because the clear laquer would have to dry for at least a month.

In an earlier post i said that I have been hit by a car with the guitar with me. The damage is 500 euros, I hope I get that amount from the insurance company. that roughly will be the budget.

 

[I NEED HELP123]

Re: getting rid of the pickguard

maybe it's just going to be so much fiddling around with that pickguard. I can get an alder body and full maple neck with the specs i want from warmoth for 380 euros.
the neck will fit perfectly, no headaches with the pickguard......

 

[Jacew]

Re: getting rid of the pickguard

maybe it's just going to be so much fiddling around with that pickguard. I can get an alder body and full maple neck with the specs i want from warmoth for 380 euros.
the neck will fit perfectly, no headaches with the pickguard......

I guess that's the best option.

 

[CaptainWhizz]

Re: getting rid of the pickguard

maybe it's just going to be so much fiddling around with that pickguard. I can get an alder body and full maple neck with the specs i want from warmoth for 380 euros.
the neck will fit perfectly, no headaches with the pickguard......

Plus, you end up with two guitars ;-)