'Splorer pickguard

cheezemaster

cheezemaster

New member
Anyone know a good place to get a pickguard for a USA Gibson Explorer? Mine is white, but I'd prefer a black one. An actual Gibson one would be ideal but any aftermarket one that fits would be fine.

I Googled it and came up with not much in the way of results.. lots of Les Paul and Strat pickguards.. and vintage replacements, but that's about it. I also don't wanna deal with tracing out a template for a custom place. Explorers are relatively common, I wouldn' think it would be that tricky to find a plain ol' black pickguard.

Thanks!
 
Re: 'Splorer pickguard

cheezemaster said:
Anyone know a good place to get a pickguard for a USA Gibson Explorer? Mine is white, but I'd prefer a black one. An actual Gibson one would be ideal but any aftermarket one that fits would be fine.

I Googled it and came up with not much in the way of results.. lots of Les Paul and Strat pickguards.. and vintage replacements, but that's about it. I also don't wanna deal with tracing out a template for a custom place. Explorers are relatively common, I wouldn' think it would be that tricky to find a plain ol' black pickguard.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Very few Explorer models came with black pickguards, mainly the e/2's and some of the sunbursts. White guards were always the predominate offering
 
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Re: 'Splorer pickguard

Northwinds - that pic in your avatar is basically what I'm going for.. I have a wood (sorta sun-bursty on the edges) finish 76 reissue Explorer and I think it would look cool with the black pickguard, expecially now that i have zebra pups in it.. the cream bobbins look weird with the white. I freind of mine also has an actual 76 Explorer and it has a black pickguard too - not sure if it was orignal.

That one on ebay is exactly what I'm looking for but 27 bucks seems mighty steep for a piece of plastic.
 
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Re: 'Splorer pickguard

cheezemaster said:
Northwinds - that pic in your avatar is basically what I'm going for.. I have a wood (sorta sun-bursty on the edges) finish 76 reissue Explorer and I think it would look cool with the black pickguard, expecially now that i have zebra pups in it.. the cream bobbins look weird with the white. I freind of mine also has an actual 76 Explorer and it has a black pickguard too - not sure if it was orignal.

That one on ebay is exactly what I'm looking for but 27 bucks seems mighty steep for a piece of plastic.
Click to expand...

Black pickguards on unpainted version Explorer's are killer looking :eyecrazy:

The original Gibson one's are multiply. There is a very slight difference between the conventional '76 and the e/2 models with beveled bodies. The CMT model shares the same pickguard as the '76. You would need the '76 version. NOS ones are quite pricey, I see them go for $50-$75 but if you watch eBay like a hawk, you may snag a used one for around $40 or a bit less. A lot for a piece of plastic yes but I would pay that in a heartbeat for original Gibson black guards

Put it this way, I am a member of the Gibson Forum also and I posted in the Trading Section that I was looking for older Explorer parts and hardware... not a reply and only 4 views

Just a thought... ignore this if you plan to Floyd

The best thing you can do with your Explorer (besides the black pickguard) is get a matching hardware color TP-6 fine tuner bridge. It adds a certain WOW factor to the guitar in looks and is probably the best fixed bridge made IMO. I'm sure my man Ace will pop in here and agree. They are hoarded by Les Paul collectors of the Norlin era builds and e/2 collector's. I got a deadmint 1980, no patina, totally complete w/ unused posts for $17 on eBay last year, another that went off at the same time as the one I bought went for $84 and was a newer reissue. Prices can vary greatly but keep in mind that gold usually sells for more

I have been toying with the idea also of converting to rollers in mine (saving the original saddles and screws of course)

In any event, I will keep an eye out for you. There is a guy on the Dean Forum who is supposed to be getting a white Explorer and want's to swap a black guard for a white so maybe that is an option. I did state I wanted it but if it helps you, I will stand aside. If you want a link, PM me

Sorry for the long read

Ron
 
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Re: 'Splorer pickguard

Northwinds said:
Black pickguards on unpainted version Explorer's are killer looking :eyecrazy:

The original Gibson one's are multiply. There is a very slight difference between the conventional '76 and the e/2 models with beveled bodies. The CMT model shares the same pickguard as the '76. You would need the '76 version. NOS ones are quite pricey, I see them go for $50-$75 but if you watch eBay like a hawk, you may snag a used one for around $40 or a bit less. A lot for a piece of plastic yes but I would pay that in a heartbeat for original Gibson black guards

Put it this way, I am a member of the Gibson Forum also and I posted in the Trading Section that I was looking for older Explorer parts and hardware... not a reply and only 4 views

Just a thought... ignore this if you plan to Floyd

The best thing you can do with your Explorer (besides the black pickguard) is get a matching hardware color TP-6 fine tuner bridge. It adds a certain WOW factor to the guitar in looks and is probably the best fixed bridge made IMO. I'm sure my man Ace will pop in here and agree. They are hoarded by Les Paul collectors of the Norlin era builds and e/2 collector's. I got a deadmint 1980, no patina, totally complete w/ unused posts for $17 on eBay last year, another that went off at the same time as the one I bought went for $84 and was a newer reissue. Prices can vary greatly but keep in mind that gold usually sells for more

I have been toying with the idea also of converting to rollers in mine (saving the original saddles and screws of course)

In any event, I will keep an eye out for you. There is a guy on the Dean Forum who is supposed to be getting a white Explorer and want's to swap a black guard for a white so maybe that is an option. I did state I wanted it but if it helps you, I will stand aside. If you want a link, PM me

Sorry for the long read

Ron
Click to expand...

Hey wow.. thanks for the info. I'm new to Explorers so any info is appreciated. Instead of tracking down a black pickguard, I'm also toying with the idea of just putting nickel covers on my pups.. that way it will look classic.. and not as "clashing".

Another thing i did was replace the black speed knobs with amber speed knobs.. looks a little cooler in my book.


This is what my axe looked like - prior to swapping pups and knobs

http://www.instrumentguide.com/electric guitars/gibson/explorer 76/
 
Re: 'Splorer pickguard

Wow, that's a nice sunburst!

The multi-ply guards look like this and add a touch of class I think

pair3.jpg
 
Re: 'Splorer pickguard

BTMN said:
http://pickguards.us
Click to expand...

ya know- I came across that site before but it's unclear which pattern # is correct for the 76 Reissue since that model isn't listed.. is it #19?

I just looked at the other site - Terrapin and he's got a template - I'll print it an see if it's right.. the price looks basically the same.
 
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Re: 'Splorer pickguard

cheezemaster said:
ya know- I came across that site before but it's unclear which pattern # is correct for the 76 Reissue since that model isn't listed.. is it #19?
Click to expand...

Group "C" 19 would be correct, 5 ply b/w/b/w/b and the screw holes should lineup perfectly. I bet you can sell your guard pretty easily which would offset the cost greatly

Keep us posted. If they are as nice as they look, I will get a couple
 
Re: 'Splorer pickguard

cool, thanks! I may try to get on and place an order tonite. i may even just do the Black-White-Black 3 ply- I think the current pickguard is WBW 3 ply

Edit:
on second glance -the 5 ply is only 5 bucks more. i should just get that!
 
Re: 'Splorer pickguard

I placed an order with Chandler Pickguard Heaven last night.. I'll let you know how it works out.

They seem helpful so far.. I wanted to confirm I was using the right pattern and they had me send over some snapshots.

Thanks for all your help/suggestions on this.
 
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