Help finding 1-ply black pick guard?

c_p_o · June 29th, 2009, 05:41 PM

I bought my black/white/maple American Standard Strat because it was such a great deal, I couldn't pass it up. I am not a huge fan of the tuxedo look...so I have been thinking about it. For a fleeting moment, I thought about relic'ing it, but realize that is probably not smart for me to do.

I think today I realized what I need to do. I want to switch the white 3-ply pick guard for a single ply black acrylic one. I think the all black with just the white pups and knobs combined with the maple neck looks really sweet.

You Gilmour fans will immediately recognize the look I am talking about. Here is a pic of a guitar that embodies what I would like to do:

Photo credit goes to this guy:Elias Avdikos on MySpace

I have just started my search for a 1-ply 11-hole black acrylic pick guard, but thought I would check here figuring you all know where the goods are found!

Keep in mind, I am not trying to build a replica Gilmour black strat, so I am just looking for the black 1-ply pickguard. That's actually the challenge. I am not looking to change electronics or add switches or anything like that, and I am starting to find lots of kits. I just need the pickguard.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this and any assistance.

Boris Bubbanov · June 29th, 2009, 06:14 PM

I've never seen one; they're all 8 holers. You're gonna want a metal shield if you go 1 ply, to stiffen up the guard and reduce noise.

But the above image is not attractive to me, I must say.

I would look for:

Gold Anodized;

Fender brand (or Callaham, no other substitutions) Mint Green, aged covers and knobs;

Parchment with matching covers and knobs.

I agree, the Black on white does look funny on a clean new Strat (or modern style Tele). But I have experimented with the black and I think it looks worse.

++

Ok, who else wants to chew on this. No "wrong" answers, are there? :^)

Toadlc · June 29th, 2009, 06:21 PM

You can get one from Warmoth Custom Guitar Parts - Strat Pickguard

c_p_o · June 29th, 2009, 08:39 PM

Thanks to both, for feedback and the link.

c_p_o · June 30th, 2009, 09:57 AM

Just ordered the Black Solid Gloss .090 Vinyl Pickguard from Warmoth...

Strat-Man-Do · June 30th, 2009, 10:11 AM

There are thicker 1-ply PGs out also. I don't care for the real thin 1-plys that easily buckle. But if you check out the 1-ply that Fender used on the 50th Anniversary 2004 Strat for example? Thats a NICE 1-ply!

Strat-Man-Do · June 30th, 2009, 10:12 AM

BTW whats the cost on the Warmoth 1-ply 11-hole?

Toadlc · June 30th, 2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c_p_o

Just ordered the Black Solid Gloss .090 Vinyl Pickguard from Warmoth...

That's what I used for my wife's DG Strat. Worked just fine & looks great.

c_p_o · June 30th, 2009, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toadlc

That's what I used for my wife's DG Strat. Worked just fine & looks great.

I was looking at yours when I was trying to decide if the Warmoth one would work. It looks nice and glossy. I assume the .090 was thick enough to prevent warping? Wouldn't dare do a .060 single ply...

c_p_o · June 30th, 2009, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strat-Man-Do

BTW whats the cost on the Warmoth 1-ply 11-hole?

It was $25 plus shipping.

Toadlc · June 30th, 2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c_p_o

I was looking at yours when I was trying to decide if the Warmoth one would work. It looks nice and glossy. I assume the .090 was thick enough to prevent warping? Wouldn't dare do a .060 single ply...

No issues, it was thick enough that there is no buckling or warping.

stratagem · June 30th, 2009, 03:21 PM

I've got the same one for the same project!! The multi-ply thickness with solid color edge is nice.

c_p_o · July 7th, 2009, 04:26 PM

New pickguard arrived at the house today...unfortunately I am out of town, so I won't be able to check it out until the weekend. Will post pics after install.

AllroyPA · July 7th, 2009, 04:30 PM

I need this in left-handed... hope they do them...

c_p_o · July 7th, 2009, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllroyPA

I need this in left-handed... hope they do them...

They do! Warmoth Custom Guitar Parts - Strat Pickguard

Configurator Options:

Color
Orientation (left or right)
Control layouts
Pickup configuration
SRV style
8 hole or 11 hole.

c_p_o · July 9th, 2009, 11:36 PM

Well...here it is. Got home from an out of town trip this evening, and couldn't resist tinkering. While I had it opened up, I decided to go ahead and shield the inside. I happened to have some aluminum tape in the garage, so I figured, "what the heck!". Here some pics...

First, the before picture. If I had to label this, it would be "Clapton, Blackie, Traditional, Tuxedo, Sterile, Factory, Formal".

And...for those that just want to get right to business...here is an after pic of the same pose. I would label this one, "Gilmour, Custom, Informal, Solid".

It amazes me how much changing the pickguard changes the entire look of the guitar. I am very pleased. Next couple of posts will provide some detail on the process.

c_p_o · July 9th, 2009, 11:41 PM

Here is the new pickguard as it arrived from Wormoth.

Notice the minimal shielding. Here is the factory pickguard (still installed) with the new one...hoping to show relative height..

First first, needed to remove the factory pickguard...and have to remove knobs to make that happen. My favorite method for removing knobs is the plastic grocery bag technique:

c_p_o · July 9th, 2009, 11:47 PM

Stock guts. Noticably more shielding on the factory pickguard, and obviously no wood channel shielding. Thankfully I was also able to do the entire project without removing the strings...just loosening. That's good, because I just put brand new Elixirs on...and hated to waste them.

In order to get the pickups re-aligned quickly in the new pickguard, I used a pencil mark to denote the position of the pickups in the factory pickguard. I then just screwed them in on the new pickguard to the same leveling. Seemed to be a quick way to get back into adjustment.

Looking at this bare body made me want to add shielding. Didn't really plan on it or think about it before, but since I had some aluminum duct tape laying around...figured I would do that while I was in there.

But first...had to do a test fit, to make sure all the holes aligned. It fit like a charm!

c_p_o · July 9th, 2009, 11:54 PM

Next I added the shielding to the back of the pickguard. I was careful on all the shielding to make sure that there was good metal-to-metal contact from piece to piece. This was accomplished by always folding over a corner or section of the tape to have it sit non-sticky side against non-sticky side. Hard to see any of the folds here:

I would make little folds like this:

...or this. This is a piece I would lay across two other pieces that would tie them together.

Here is the finished body. I made sure to have tabs that would touch against the pickguard shielding, and at least one place where the shielding was over a pickguard screw hole. Not sure how much difference this makes, but it made me feel good.

c_p_o · July 9th, 2009, 11:57 PM

Of course, I cut out the shielding for the pickup and control holes, then reinstalled the electronics.

And then it gets put back together.

c_p_o · July 9th, 2009, 11:59 PM

That's all folks! Hope this was helpful, enlightening, inspiring, or otherwise entertaining to someone. Thanks again for the quick assists on finding the single ply all black pickguard. I really like the new look!

AllroyPA · July 10th, 2009, 05:42 AM

It's real cool that you picture documented your steps I'm sure this is helpful to some, nice guitar !

Orbit · July 10th, 2009, 12:23 PM

that does look sweet.

( I have enough of those knob removal tools to sell on ebay. Got them free from walmart)
good idea, no scratches

Toadlc · July 10th, 2009, 12:52 PM

Looks great! Nice upgrade.

Orbit · July 11th, 2009, 06:38 AM

now that you don't need one anymore
ebay has one today for 15$

single ply modern 11 hole black guard for strat

c_p_o · July 11th, 2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orbit

now that you don't need one anymore
ebay has one today for 15$

Story of my life. : ) But in all reality, there isn't enough information about thickness or finish to consider purchasing one of those. Looks like they sell Proline guards...but I don't see any specifics on thickness. Maybe I am too blurry-eyed this morning to see it tho.

Could definitely be a good deal for someone in need tho....