Pickguard Pickle

Mossman · Fri Jul 24, 2020 11:10 pm

I've been seeking out another source for pickguards, and it's not looking good. I contacted 4 places for a price quote and turn-around time:

Pickguardian
Pickguard Heaven
Quick Guards
and one other place whose name escapes me at the moment.

Of these four, only two responded: Pickguard Heaven and Quick Guards.

I just need them to duplicate an existing pickguard for a Jazz Bass in B/W/B material. Pickguard Heaven said it would cost $50 plus shipping and tax, and it would take 2.5 weeks. Quick Guards also quoted a price of $50, but said it would take 4 weeks (not quite so quick after all, I see). I have a feeling if Tony from Pickguardian responded, he'd probably quote the same price, and the last time I was getting my pickguards from him, it was taking him 6 weeks to turn it around (but he only charged $35).

$50 for a 1/8" thick piece of plastic is frickin' ridiculous! Has anybody else had any luck sourcing custom PGs?

honyock · Sat Jul 25, 2020 12:23 am

is it just a standard JB?

Maybe a seller like mlaval on ebay has a JB pickguard.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/223984838480

Mossman · Sat Jul 25, 2020 12:03 pm

honyock wrote: ↑Sat Jul 25, 2020 12:23 am is it just a standard JB?

No, it's for this:

Otherwise I could get an off-the-shelf PG from any number of sources.

This doesn't bode well for my builds.

RiverDog · Sun Jul 26, 2020 1:12 pm

I don't go on Squier talk much but I feel like when I did a while back there was a mention of someone on the forum who makes pickguards. You may want to check into that.

Mossman · Sun Jul 26, 2020 4:15 pm

Well, unless somebody here starts making pickguards, it looks like the days of reasonably priced custom PGs are over. I sent another email to Pickguardian and got a response from Tony this time. He quoted $45 and $9.95 for shipping with a 3 week turn-around. To be fair, the last time I was giving Tony my PG work, he charged $35 to duplicate a pickguard if you could send him the original (otherwise he charged something like $72 to make a PG from a tracing), and that was several years ago.

As a last resort, I tried looking on Etsy, and while I found several sources for artsy painted pickguards, or wooden pickguards, I found no one who could actually cut a standard PG. Greasy Groove has a dominant presence on Etsy, but I don't know if they actually make pickguards, or just sell PGs with a picture of woman's ass on them. The last time I bought a stock, off-the-rack pearloid pickguard from them, it cost way too much money, and took over a month to arrive from Canada, so I'm not really interested in finding out if they take custom orders or not.

Mossman · Sun Jul 26, 2020 4:16 pm

RiverDog wrote: ↑Sun Jul 26, 2020 1:12 pm I don't go on Squier talk much but I feel like when I did a while back there was a mention of someone on the forum who makes pickguards. You may want to check into that.

Thanks... I didn't see your post before I posted that last message.

I'll go check SquierTalk.

Mossman · Sun Jul 26, 2020 5:05 pm

Ok, I did a search on Squier Talk, and I didn't find anybody on the forum who made pickguards, but I did find out that Dragonfire makes custom PGs, and got hip to an ebay source too. I think Dragonfire will probably charge $35. I have no idea what the other guy will ask, but I don't think it will be a lot, since I found out about him in a thread called "Inexpensive Custom Pickguards" (or something to that effect).

Mossman · Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:13 am

Well this is perplexing... I asked Dragonfire if I could send them a PG to reproduce, and I got a quick response back saying that they're not cutting any new PG styles at this time. I told him it's not a new style, it's a Jazz Bass pickguard, it just has a different pickup cut-out. They replied by saying they don't cut Jazz Bass pickguards.

I said: "Really?? What's this then?":

Is this a joke?? Am I getting punked by Dragonfire Guitars? Do they not like making money or something?

nomadh · Mon Jul 27, 2020 3:32 pm

Theres always handbuilt

I've been wanting to look into if something like this would work

mozz · Mon Jul 27, 2020 7:05 pm

Is the pickup bigger than a stock cutout?

Mossman · Mon Jul 27, 2020 9:42 pm

nomadh wrote: ↑Mon Jul 27, 2020 3:32 pm
Theres always handbuilt

Thanks Damon, but I'm afraid that lacking the proper equipment (and the space to set it up), any attempt by me to make a pickguard with hand tools will end up looking "home-made", and my anal-retentive attention to detail would never be satisfied with that.

Before I had Ryan make the PG that's in the picture a few posts back, I tried modifying the stock pickguard that came on the bass (which had a J pickup in that position originally) and I wasn't satisfied with the results. It looked "ok" but the J pickup is a little wider than the MM pickup, so the hole looked a little wonky, and there was nothing you could do about it.

Now if I had a CNC, or a laser cutter, or even a table router, I might be interested in making my own pickguards, but with what I have, it just sounds like way too much work for unsatisfactory results.

Mossman · Mon Jul 27, 2020 9:44 pm

mozz wrote: ↑Mon Jul 27, 2020 7:05 pm Is the pickup bigger than a stock cutout?

Yes...

Mossman · Mon Jul 27, 2020 9:53 pm

Well I never heard back from the Dragonfire guy... I still can't figure out why they would tell me they don't provide a service that they prominently promote on their website. I don't know anybody these days who can afford to turn away business... Oh well... I'm not going to beg them to take my money.

I also heard back from the ebay guy, and he said he can do it, but he never mentioned how much it would cost. I'm still waiting to hear back from him with a price and turn-around time..

DonM · Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:05 pm

What about our member here that made them? He made some poker chips for my LP’s for me. My messages with him are lost on the old site so I’m not sure of his name. Something like Rmfroyd. I spoke to him about making a pickguard for my Liquid.

Mossman · Tue Jul 28, 2020 3:18 pm

DonM wrote: ↑Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:05 pm What about our member here that made them? He made some poker chips for my LP’s for me. My messages with him are lost on the old site so I’m not sure of his name. Something like Rmfroyd. I spoke to him about making a pickguard for my Liquid.

Yeah, Ryan used to make all my pickguards, but he stopped taking that work several months ago.

His handle is: "Floridian FX" now, BTW.

Floridian FX · Tue Jul 28, 2020 9:23 pm

Long story Long, Custom PG's are a huge PITA and can be expensive.

I charged enough to cover the blank material because most of the time I made them at work while I was already getting paid to do my normal job. I wasn't doing it to put food on the table, I was more offering it as a service because most of the PG's I did, a person couldn't get them off the shelf.

I can't honestly say that I miss it. Not because of the customers, the customers were fucking awesome(1 demerit for profanity) . The part that sucked was honing it in to get it perfect, which was mostly on me. I tried to get it within +or- .010" on everything, which on a PG is probably pretty stupid, but I couldn't let it be.

I had probably 3-6 hours per PG by the time it got shipped out which works out to at most $5 an hour, probably less. Now that I am in my current position, that $5 an hour isn't worth losing my job over.

That being said, if one can find a makerspace, I might be able to draw one up in my free time. I won't be able to produce it, but I can pass on the files to make it happen.

stacks · Tue Jul 28, 2020 10:09 pm

Floridian FX wrote: ↑Tue Jul 28, 2020 9:23 pm Long story Long, Custom PG's are a huge PITA and can be expensive.

I charged enough to cover the blank material because most of the time I made them at work while I was already getting paid to do my normal job. I wasn't doing it to put food on the table, I was more offering it as a service because most of the PG's I did, a person couldn't get them off the shelf.

I can't honestly say that I miss it. Not because of the customers, the customers were fucking awesome(1 demerit for profanity) . The part that sucked was honing it in to get it perfect, which was mostly on me. I tried to get it within +or- .010" on everything, which on a PG is probably pretty stupid, but I couldn't let it be.

I had probably 3-6 hours per PG by the time it got shipped out which works out to at most $5 an hour, probably less. Now that I am in my current position, that $5 an hour isn't worth losing my job over.

That being said, if one can find a makerspace, I might be able to draw one up in my free time. I won't be able to produce it, but I can pass on the files to make it happen.

Makerspace!
There is a fairly new one in the City of Rondo that is getting rave reviews. It is pretty cool IMO, every community needs one.

https://claremontmakerspace.org/

Mossman · Thu Jul 30, 2020 2:44 pm

Floridian FX wrote: ↑Tue Jul 28, 2020 9:23 pm Long story Long, Custom PG's are a huge PITA and can be expensive.

I don't blame you at all for not wanting to make pickguards anymore, Ryan. I know what it's like to start making something for friends because you don't mind doing it, and it saves them money, but after a while you start to realize that it's taking up too much of your time, and you can't even buy a pack of strings with the profit you're making.

Having said that, though, I'd be happy to pay Pickguardian money for your dead-on accurate work, rather than to send it off to a stranger who doesn't give a shit, and won't send me proofs to make sure the PG is going to fit before they cut it.

I valued your level of service even higher than the finished product itself.

Chad · Thu Jul 30, 2020 3:39 pm

Mossman wrote: ↑Thu Jul 30, 2020 2:44 pm
Floridian FX wrote: ↑Tue Jul 28, 2020 9:23 pm Long story Long, Custom PG's are a huge PITA and can be expensive.
I don't blame you at all for not wanting to make pickguards anymore, Ryan. I know what it's like to start making something for friends because you don't mind doing it, and it saves them money, but after a while you start to realize that it's taking up too much of your time, and you can't even buy a pack of strings with the profit you're making.

Having said that, though, I'd be happy to pay Pickguardian money for your dead-on accurate work, rather than to send it off to a stranger who doesn't give a shit, and won't send me proofs to make sure the PG is going to fit before they cut it.

I valued your level of service even higher than the finished product itself.

I second this!!! Your work was impeccable and I would pay the going rate with you instead of someone else.

Mossman · Thu Jul 30, 2020 5:40 pm

stacks wrote: ↑Tue Jul 28, 2020 10:09 pm Makerspace!
There is a fairly new one in the City of Rondo that is getting rave reviews. It is pretty cool IMO, every community needs one.

https://claremontmakerspace.org/

There's one around here, but membership is way too expensive, and before you can touch any of their equipment, you have to take their classes, which are also expensive (though they assure you that it's a discounted member rate). I'm sure there are other "maker spaces" in the greater Los Angeles area, but my spirits got a little deflated after checking out that one place, and I didn't continue my search.

Thu Jul 30, 2020 6:42 pm

Floridian FX wrote: ↑Tue Jul 28, 2020 9:23 pm Long story Long, Custom PG's are a huge PITA and can be expensive.

I charged enough to cover the blank material because most of the time I made them at work while I was already getting paid to do my normal job. I wasn't doing it to put food on the table, I was more offering it as a service because most of the PG's I did, a person couldn't get them off the shelf.

I can't honestly say that I miss it. Not because of the customers, the customers were fucking awesome(1 demerit for profanity) . The part that sucked was honing it in to get it perfect, which was mostly on me. I tried to get it within +or- .010" on everything, which on a PG is probably pretty stupid, but I couldn't let it be.

I had probably 3-6 hours per PG by the time it got shipped out which works out to at most $5 an hour, probably less. Now that I am in my current position, that $5 an hour isn't worth losing my job over.

That being said, if one can find a makerspace, I might be able to draw one up in my free time. I won't be able to produce it, but I can pass on the files to make it happen.

Can't speak to your pickguards but I still love the "poker chips."

Mossman · Thu Jul 30, 2020 8:19 pm

Well, I still haven't heard from the ebay flake (I'm calling him the "ebay flake" now), after three days and two requests for a price. I don't think I'll ever hear back from Dragonfire (I wonder if they took their Jazz Bass pickguard page down?

). I don't get it... I've never had to chase people down to give them my money for services they openly advertise! Especially in a time when a lot of people can't afford to spend money on frivolous shit like this.

nomadh · Thu Jul 30, 2020 8:21 pm

stacks wrote: ↑Tue Jul 28, 2020 10:09 pm
Floridian FX wrote: ↑Tue Jul 28, 2020 9:23 pm Long story Long, Custom PG's are a huge PITA and can be expensive.

I charged enough to cover the blank material because most of the time I made them at work while I was already getting paid to do my normal job. I wasn't doing it to put food on the table, I was more offering it as a service because most of the PG's I did, a person couldn't get them off the shelf.

I can't honestly say that I miss it. Not because of the customers, the customers were fucking awesome(1 demerit for profanity) . The part that sucked was honing it in to get it perfect, which was mostly on me. I tried to get it within +or- .010" on everything, which on a PG is probably pretty stupid, but I couldn't let it be.

I had probably 3-6 hours per PG by the time it got shipped out which works out to at most $5 an hour, probably less. Now that I am in my current position, that $5 an hour isn't worth losing my job over.

That being said, if one can find a makerspace, I might be able to draw one up in my free time. I won't be able to produce it, but I can pass on the files to make it happen.

Makerspace!
There is a fairly new one in the City of Rondo that is getting rave reviews. It is pretty cool IMO, every community needs one.

https://claremontmakerspace.org/

Yea! Do the makerspace and let us now how it goes. I wonder if they have a router or whatever that tool was I posted a pic of there.

Floridian FX · Thu Jul 30, 2020 9:46 pm

Thanks guys, it means a lot. I just try to do what I would expect done to me. I don't see myself getting back to it again anytime soon, but if I do, you all will be the first to know.

The pandemic is a real shitty thing, but if anything, some of us have more time on our hands. Here is what you need to find:

A free program that lets you create DXFs, or DWGs.
Scan your tracing, and then trace it in said program.
draw, print, align, draw, print, align again, until it matches up.
From there, I might be able to help. I still have material left over, but it would mean weekend work to cut, but I can manage.

This can work. Every one I have dealt with is smart enough to do the above, even if you don't think you are. It takes some doing and a lot of trial and error, but sometimes that is the only way. I see what you guys can do building a guitar, building a pedal, making a guitar strap, making a goddamn guitar forum(2 demerits profanity). If you want it bad enough, we can make it happen. I just have been removed from the grunt work is all.

Carry on.

nomadh · Fri Jul 31, 2020 5:17 pm

Floridian FX wrote: ↑Thu Jul 30, 2020 9:46 pm Thanks guys, it means a lot. I just try to do what I would expect done to me. I don't see myself getting back to it again anytime soon, but if I do, you all will be the first to know.

The pandemic is a real shitty thing, but if anything, some of us have more time on our hands. Here is what you need to find:

A free program that lets you create DXFs, or DWGs.
Scan your tracing, and then trace it in said program.
draw, print, align, draw, print, align again, until it matches up.
From there, I might be able to help. I still have material left over, but it would mean weekend work to cut, but I can manage.

This can work. Every one I have dealt with is smart enough to do the above, even if you don't think you are. It takes some doing and a lot of trial and error, but sometimes that is the only way. I see what you guys can do building a guitar, building a pedal, making a guitar strap, making a goddamn guitar forum(2 demerits profanity). If you want it bad enough, we can make it happen. I just have been removed from the grunt work is all.

Carry on.

This does sound doable with the routing table thing. The trial and error seems crazy though. Cant you just scan your old pg or a drawing of it. Convert that to a dwg file and then the off to the cnc. Isnt there sw for that?