Complete Pickguard Cutting Tutorial (Silent Film)

[@alexisjordan3303]

This is actually the best tutorial for this on youtube

[@guitar_md]

Thank you so much!

[@StarchieSkizzyx]

THIS is why a custom pickguard costs $ ! Great craftsmanship my friend!

[@guitar_md]

Thank you so much! It is indeed a ton of work. And most of the time, custom requests will require a *lot* of extra work. I'm really excited to have some new videos on the way showing some tougher jobs!

[@mikebob7184]

I caught it @ 3:36 in... the horizontal flip, for lefty! Great Tutorial!!!

[@johnnydc7]

Great video. I had bits and pieces of the process but it was helpful you putting it all together. Love the silent movie concept too!

[@guitar_md]

Thank you so much!

[@lurklingX]

this was pretty amazing, the B&W film, and the whole way it was executed (and acted!). --the pickguard though........ holy hell that's a lot of work. maybe i'm not going to mess with doing one afterall. i think i'd need two shots of whisky before even attempting. which is a poor idea when combined with power tools. ha

[@guitar_md]

I can personally confirm that drinking and guitar work don't mix...especially not when using power tools. Wild Turkey 101 might be the worst of all of them. Thank you so much for the kind words!

[@lurklingX]

@@guitar_md 😂😆 the turk. sure nuff.

[@patnis100]

Love the Scott Joplin. Mom used to play thru The Sting book once in a while. Memories... But I wish I had the bandsaw and router table. I need a pick guard that I haven't seen anywhere

[@guitar_md]

What kind of pickguard? I've done a bunch for local and long distance customers in the past if you're interested.

[@patnis100]

@@guitar_mdjust got my notification on this comment 3weeks later... I ended up taking some of your video along with a crimson video and made one myself. Not terrible, not perfect.

[@altpath]

Amazing and detailed guide. Thank you.

[@guitar_md]

@altpath Thank you, and you're welcome. Excited to say I have an updated complete pickguard cutting tutorial on the way that is even more detailed and comprehensive with great closeup shots. Stay tuned. So much more on the way. Thanks for the support!

[@altpath]

@@guitar_md I'm looking forward to it!

[@guitar_md]

@@altpath Currently debating about how I want to go forward with written instructions: text overlay burned into the video itself, or closed captions that can be turned on and off in KZbin itself -- and translated into other languages if the viewer chooses that setting. Any personal preference on your end? As far as "burned in" subtitles go (open captions), or captions that can be turned on and off by the user (closed captions). Currently I have the pickguard video with text overlay "hardwired" into the video. I'm unsure if most people are even aware of the closed caption feature on KZbin. One advantage of closed captions is I'd be able to change them at will. Could just re-edit them and update them as needed. The main sticking point is I don't know if people are aware of the CC feature on KZbin...would love to know what you'd think as a viewer, and what you'd like to see in my future videos. Thanks!

[@altpath]

@@guitar_md personally I think the burned in text was great, but on the other hand I've noticed many viewers in other countries know very well how to turn on the CC for their viewing. If you do a video with a voice over, and have the embedded text across the top, the translated text would be nice and visible at the bottom of the screen. That's probably the best of both worlds and would make a lot of people happy.

[@guitar_md]

@@altpath I didn't consider putting the embedded text across the top. That's a great idea. I've had it on the bottom this whole time and didn't even think of that. I appreciate the input a lot. Never would have occurred to me. I'll go through some of the videos I'm working on and see. Sometimes, as I knew I'd be putting text on the bottom, I'd set up shots so they'd have room -- I may have to re-shoot those, as the open captions on top and closed captions on the bottom may be the best of both worlds. For my voiceover videos I plan on just doing closed captions, with select open captions for emphasis/explanation. But I'll think about open captions there as well. That open captions on top thing is brilliant. I'll start going through my master tracks and seeing what I can do. Thanks so much!

[@joeanderson3423]

VERY nice. What would be VERY helpful would a list of all tools (bits, etc) used along with a short sentence as to what they for (if not obvious). Thanks.

[@guitar_md]

Thanks so much! I'll get on that soon. Will let you know when I update the video description with all the info!

[@joeanderson3423]

@@guitar_md OK. I'm trying to track down most of the items on Amazon right now.

[@guitar_md]

All right. I updated the description with a list of the tools that I use. The one sticking point is the trim router. Personally I think it would be much easier to buy a Strat pickguard template on eBay and just use that with a Dremel, Stewmac plunge base, and a 1/16" bit. I haven't tried it yet myself but that would be much easier than the trim router, and probably cheaper too. The Stewmac base is very expensive, but the trim router, plunge base, brass bushing guide set AND the template adapter would be a lot more expensive. Not bad if you plan on using a trim router extensively for other jobs, but for just doing this one part, the Dremel makes more sense. I do know that some people have used Dremel cutoff wheels very carefully to do the switch slot, and cleaned up with a file. With a template and a plunge router it's foolproof, however, and is the method I prefer. Let me know if you have any more questions!

[@joeanderson3423]

​@@guitar_md wow ... thank you so much. Totally appreciated !! I should note that ... the 'Strat' pickguard(s) I am making at the moment are actually for a Fender Squier Mini (3/4 body size), wherein these pickguards are somewhat different than a full size Strat pickguard. Not aware of any templates that exist for the Minis. I have two of the Minis. On one of the Minis, I have a high end Warmoth neck, GraphTech Ratio Tuners, as well as a set of Fender 'TexMex' pickups. Badass sounding. In fact, show me a Fender custom shop Strat that plays and/or sounds better :-) BTW .... this combo will be here tomorrow (router + bench): (not just for the pickguard - other projects are looming wherein I need a router table) www.amazon.com/dp/B01F6M5TGG?ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details&th=1 I pretty much ordered everything you mentioned above (by noting the various comments in the video) last night from Amazon. I also have a cordless Dremel tool with assorted 'drilling/routing' attachments. I temporarily painted one Mini pickguard flat black. Looks pretty good. BUT, I have both matte and gloss pickguard material. In summary, I will just follow your existing procedure for now. Should be a good learning experience :-) Also thanks for the tips (eg spatula)! Joe

[@joeanderson3423]

​ @Guitar MD Hi again ... so following your cool video, I'm at the point where the beveling happens. Pickguard is still taped to the template. All holes are routed and drilled. But retarding **** (LOL) , what exactly did you do to be SURE the beveling happens correctly? I can't quite tell from the video? thx

[@FlankinspanK]

amazing video…

[@guitar_md]

Thank you so much! I have a new one on the way too if you're interested, so stay tuned. Really appreciate the support and compliment-- I might want to try getting back to having more fun making videos like I did with this one. Thanks again!

[@arkwryte]

Hey, new channel name! I like it.

[@guitar_md]

Thanks! Trying to clean things up around here and get some organization/consistency going. My two weaknesses. I appreciate it!

[@arodgoogle6327]

I am new to wood working and I am building a pickguard. Your video is the BEST for building a pickguard. The only thing I’m having trouble building is the Template for the Blade Switch 5/16 Bushing. Can you respond to let me know how you did that. Thanks.

[@guitar_md]

I made a custom template for that with a 5/16" slot and the two holes for the mounting screws on the switch on either side. I mount the template to the pickguard with bamboo skewers and double stick tape -- the skewers line everything up and then I just lower it down onto the tape. Potvin Guitars sells a blade switch cutting template for use with a 1/2" guide bushing, but I was confused about how to use it, so I ended up making my own. I did use the Potvin template as a "base" for making my own template. I used a small 3/16" guide bearing router bit in my router table to trace the cutout on the Potvin template. Once I had that copied, I used a guide bushing and a 5/16" router bit in my trim router to make another template out of the original template. In other words...very confusing! Some people make templates with an 1/8" slot, so you can simply use a 1/16" cutting diameter x 1/8" shank Dremel bit. The 1/8" shank doesn't need a guide bearing as the body of it will ride along the template. I haven't made one of those yet, but that might be the best and easiest way to do it, as guide bushings in a trim router are a bit of a pain, and way bigger for the job than the tool really needs to be. I'm pretty sure there are some Strat pickguard templates on eBay that have the 1/8" slot cutout for the switch, including the holes. You could buy one of those and simply cut that part out and use it as a template. If I can really solidify my own template, and making them easily, I might offer them for sale on my eBay store, and I'll certainly make a video about it too. The current method I use with the trim router and guide bushing does work, but is very cumbersome and time consuming, and I'd like a better way to do it. The 1/8" template with a Dremel tool would probably be best. I might get to work on this soon. Sorry this was so confusing but guide bushings themselves are quite hard to explain, and without seeing it in person it's hard to imagine how the process works. Please let me know if you need any more clarification! And thanks for the comment!

[@arodgoogle6327]

Thank you. I made a purchase of guide bushings and will make a jig from there. So much to learn. But I love wood working! PS. Have you ever thought about making a guitar and sharing the video? There is this Great Guitar Build Off you can be apart of. It happens once a year.

[@guitar_md]

Check out my new video, which is an addendum to this tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aom0lpqlhKukosk "Copying a Pickguard (from Sweden!) - Troubleshooting, Tips and Tricks!" 00:45: Face up will leave a little lip on the MDF that can be routed off, but in my experience is a much better option if you want to avoid damaging the original pickguard. Having it face down looks like it would be more accurate, but it makes the beveled edge of the original pickguard more likely to be damaged by the guide bearing, because there's nothing backing it. Plus, the visibility isn't as good. 06:33: Face up (template side down) on the spindle sander works amazingly well to clean up any humps and bumps, which the beveling will make *very* easy to see. You spindle sand both the pickguard and the template together, then re-bevel. Files and sandpaper also work well, but mostly for really minor imperfections. If you're careful enough with the spindle sander, you can get the whole job done with that much faster and easier than with hand tools.

[@BLACKCALABAXA]

thank you very much!

[@eigonguitartech]

Hey man, great jog! Where do you get that bevel cutter? and the smaller one for the corners? Thanks

[@guitar_md]

I use ToolsToday.com, but eBay also has them. Amana Tool is the place to go for all router bits, and they're all I use. They make and sell an exclusive line of router bits for luthiers, which that bit is part of. One of my favorites is the Amana Tool 47223-S, which has an 1/8" shank to fit into a Dremel tool. Highly recommend that one as well! They also have bevel bits, these days I'm using a 45 degree.

[@pauldees2629]

I'm scouring the Internet for a trim bit that's 1/4" in diameter with a 1/4" cutting height, and a lower bearing. The closest I could find was one that was 1/4" in diameter with a 1/2" cutting height and a lower bearing. Would that work, or does that bit need to have a 1/4" cutting height? If not, can you direct me to where I could find one? Great tutorial by the way, I'm looking forward to cutting out my pickguard. Cheers

[@guitar_md]

The one I use is an Amana Tool 47090. I'm updating the description as I mistakenly listed 1/4" cutting height. The 47090 is 1/2" cutting height with a lower bearing, and is the one I've been using for years: www.toolstoday.com/v-5330-47090.html?glCountry=US&glCurrency=USD&ne_ppc_id=17670170525&gclid=CjwKCAjwiJqWBhBdEiwAtESPaKss--KnHgsNIPmwl1se2ArIEHsHKBa5cjP5vdKb3JPnRXijbbeHzRoCv_UQAvD_BwE Thanks so much for the comment! Hope this helps!

[@pauldees2629]

@@guitar_md It helps a lot. Thank you for the info and again for the tutorial. Great stuff!

[@guitar_md]

@@pauldees2629 Thanks so much, and stay tuned! Trying to get a copyright claim on this video removed -- all the music is under creative commons and free for anyone to use, but I'm afraid that since I disputed it, the video might be removed. In case it is, check out my link on my Vimeo page: vimeo.com/727938004 Working on backing up more of my content there. Appreciate the comment and I've now updated the description to be more accurate, and listing the model numbers for the exact router bits I use. Thanks again!

[@GartheKnightReturns]

I just received a pickguard I thought would fit my guitar but it’s slightly larger in areas. It’s an early 2000s Epiphone Explorer and the guard I have is for a 76 Gibson Explorer. The sizing is off on the area between the pickups. Plus I need to drill a hole for the toggle switch. Do you have any suggestions for trimming down the less than a quarter of an inch for between the pickups? I don’t have a bandsaw. I thought taping and scoring the area until I could hypothetically snap it off similarly to plexiglass. Then lightly sand the edge. I’d just hate to ruin the finish. Thanks.

[@guitar_md]

A Dremel would be the best bet, but you'd need a vise to hold the pickguard securely, or a base for the Dremel so you could clamp it upside down and use it like a mini router table. The idea being: take off the bulk with the Dremel and then use a file / sandpaper / scraping with a razor to get the final shaping. A chisel and hammer might work. I'd trust that more than snapping anything off. With snapping you run a risk of blowing a major piece out. Safest bet is remove the bulk however you can and then leave a wide margin for using a file and a block with sandpaper. Any combination of those -- and scraping can help as well. A chisel and hammer would also be far less likely to slip than scoring. ABS plastic is slippery stuff and if you score freehand it's a virtual guarantee it'll slip and gaff the part you don't want to take off. Chisel + hammer would be the lowest tech choice. Never did it myself though. And leave plenty of room. I'd probably start chiseling away at tiny pieces rather than going for the whole thing at once. Better safe than sorry. I recommend a flat block with sandpaper for truing it up, and a good mill file. It does help a lot to have the pickguard in a vise. It's easier than you'd think to level it imperfectly, at a slight angle. I also recommend frequent checking with a small straightedge of any kind that will fit as you work. Test fitting is also a factor to consider. It's very tedious. Sometimes making a template out of paper can help. Like put down some sketching paper, and mount the pickup rings back on over it -- then trace the mounting rings, take them off, cut out the paper and you'll have a template you can use to trace onto your plastic blank. Having a visible "finish line" helps a lot, though it'll always end with repeated bouts of test fitting until it's perfect. Let me know what you decide on and how it goes.

[@GartheKnightReturns]

@@guitar_md Yeah after I commented before the thought of using my Dremel occurred to me. Yeah I’d need to secure it and I’ll tape off the area I don’t want scuffs to happen. On a cursory glance the two pickguards are fairly similar but have enough minor differences. The mounting screws placements are different. Not a deal breaker because the Gibson cover is larger to cover the existing ones. Just not a fan adding more holes to the body. Thanks for the suggestions!

[@guitar_md]

@@GartheKnightReturns I know what you mean. Pretty much every single pickguard request I get is for the same reason -- minor differences, holes not lining up, things just being a bit off. Doesn't take much. Minor scuffs can actually be wet sanded and buffed out of pickguards. They can't be that deep but shallow ones -- I've done it before. Those Kovex rubber blocks are great, and Kydex dry sanding paper -- awesome. Though a traditional foam block and wet or dry paper with some water/detergent works amazingly well too. I use either Meguiar's Plast-X or Novus 2 plastic polish for buffing it out. Usually I'll sand starting with 1500, and however long it takes, it's worth not making scuff marks you can't get out in the long run. You can buff by hand but a foam pad in a drill goes a very long way. Adding more holes can certainly be an annoyance. And especially when you're trying to keep the body original. Pickguards are supremely frustrating for something so seemingly basic! One of those Otter mini router tables look pretty good. I don't own one. But I have used the Stewmac precision router base to make a makeshift router table with a Dremel. That can work really well. Pickguard material is thin enough you might be able to get away with that. But clamping the guard in a vise will also work. Usually when I have to freehand pickguard areas I'll do it on the router table, though for obvious reasons that's extremely risky. I forgot to mention: bastard cut files will work great. You can even avoid the whole powertool thing altogether if you get an aggressive bastard cut file. Those can hog off material crazy quick. You do need to be careful but working by hand you're less likely to gow something up than you are with a power tool. Those can get away from you easily. Have had that happen many times. I've been meaning to get a better file collection myself. I have some aggressive ones but they do dull over time. And don't worry if it takes forever. They always do. At least for me. I always thought I was doing something wrong or there must be a faster way -- generally, there's not! They're a royal pain. Believe it or not, I'm not naturally mechanically inclined, and I also struggle with stuff like this quite a bit. It's a hard-earned skill for me but I still can't keep up with the guys like my friend and mentor who have a real eye and knack for it. Those guys can freehand with power tools all day and never make a mistake, and know *exactly* where and how much to file/sand off to get things fitting perfectly, with minimal to no test fitting. I'm not one of those guys. If you are -- then this will be a breeze for you. Let me know how it goes!

[@TheCrimsonGhosts]

You do it the same way with trussrod covers? I imagine it´s pretty creepy to have your fingers so close to the router or bandsaw :-o

[@guitar_md]

I've made pickup bobbin flatwork using the "mini router table" Dremel setup. Stewmac precision base or Dremel router table (personally never used the Dremel table). That's pretty scary as your fingers do get very close to the cutter. I don't recommend it. I am extremely experienced on the router table and even then it is fairly stupid of me to do things like that with the Dremel tool. There are ways to hold the workpiece farther away , but with a bell cover you're going to be forced to have your fingers dangerously close to the cutter. The small parts I've used the mini table for are much longer than a bell cover and allow me to get my fingers a bit farther away. Responsibly, I can only advise that you cut it out by hand with a coping saw and do all shaping and beveling by hand. It's a small enough piece that doing it by hand can go quickly. Using a mini router table would actually take longer for all the extra work you'd have to do making such a small template. Too risky! And at that point not even a time saver.

[@TheCrimsonGhosts]

@@guitar_md i see, yeah you got a point there. Thanks for your reply and keep up the great work!

[@kennethdesiderio8153]

what was the grit of sand paper did you use?

[@guitar_md]

220 most of the time, but occasionally 150 if I need to take more off quickly. But it's always good to finish with 220 to smooth it out if you do use a heavier grit!

[@mongmontances207]

Hello sir! What is the recommended diameter of the countersink bit? Thanks!

[@guitar_md]

I'm using an 82 degree 1/2" diameter single flute countersink, such as the one here: www.leevalley.com/en-ca/shop/tools/power-tool-accessories/drill-bits/32308-hcs-82-single-flute-countersinks 3/8" might be easier to use. The one I use is from eBay, but the Lee Valley ones look to be higher quality, and the 3/8" diameter seems better suited to such small holes. Thanks for the comment! Updated my description as I didn't have the info for the countersink in there. Good catch and thank you! Hope this helps!

[@mongmontances207]

@@guitar_md thanks for the info. Forgot to ask the correct drill bit size? :) I also saw some countersink bits with drill bits like 2in1 is this a good option? Or is it better to drill holes first and then do the counter sink after?

[@guitar_md]

@@mongmontances207 1/8" (.125") drill bit for most standard pickguard screw holes. For 6-32 screw holes, such as the ones on Fender switches and pickups, 9/64" (.140"). For Fender Telecaster neck pickups, they use 3-48 screws, and the holes for those screws use a .116" drill bit. Hope this helps!

[@mikepintoguitar]

@@guitar_md This video is amazing; thank you. Why single-flute for the countersink bit? I see five- and six-flute bits for sale in various places.

[@guitar_md]

@@mikepintoguitar You're welcome! I'll be posting another pickguard copying video on April 24th so watch out for that one too! The single flute is best for a clean cut on plastic. The multiple flutes might possibly work as well, but are prone to making more jagged countersinks, and I'd expect them to look a bit rough or jagged on plastic. I use multi fluted countersinks for wood, but for plastic the single flute is the cleanest cutting I've found. I can't remember the last time I tried a multi flute on plastic so you can always give it a try and see if it gives satisfactory results but I can absolutely guarantee the single flute bits do a phenomenal job with perfectly clean cuts

[@mr.scratch2536]

Hey bro, how much would it cost me to have you cut a pick gaurd for me? I have the new material, just none of the tools or know how.

[@prof.aggrospeed4315]

If i send you my pickguard, could you make an exact replica of it but in a 4 ply Red Tortoise Shell? What would be your fee? Thank You.

[@guitar_md]

You can send direct inquiries to my e-mail address at: [e-mail] For multiple reasons I can't answer these questions directly in the comments but I'd be happy to correspond with you via e-mail. Thanks!

[@PhilipT_official]

I thought this would be easier... I don't have all those tools at home. Great video though!

[@patrickwill9632]

Taking orders?

[@guitar_md]

You can message me at: [e-mail] Still taking orders for custom pickups and pickguard copies. Drop me a line if you have any jobs!

[@joesified]

Can I please pay you to copy my Jim Root Strat pickguard?

[@guitar_md]

Sure. Did you have a particular color in mind?

[@joesified]

@@guitar_md The exact same one that it came with, which is a 3-ply B/W/B. I ordered one from a pretty well-known pickguard company but the shapes don’t match. Looked like they just gave me some universal Strat pickguard with the correct electronics cuts, but the pickguard shape isn’t right and the overall size is bigger. How can I contact you outside of these comments?

[@guitar_md]

@@joesified Seen that issue many times. You can email me at [e-mail]

[@joesified]

@@guitar_md sent

[@Emiroj]

@@guitar_md Can I Email you to this same hotmail adress to do a Request?

[@thedude7450]

Not much help for those of us who don’t have $5,000+ worth of equipment.

[@wce74wce15]

think ill just get one off amazon for $5🤣

[@tommessina5973]

Informative. Only I wish the flickering effect was not used throughout the video. I think I need to go throw up now...sorry but it's just too much on the eyes.

[@guitar_md]

@tommessina5973 Be on the lookout for my new pickguard cutting tutorial. Massively updated, much more detailed. I'm sorry this had such a negative effect on you. I promise that the updated video will be easy to watch. I also will be including instructions in the subtitles so you'll be able to turn them on or off with the CC button. The video is not done yet. But I'm working on it. If you'd like, I can reply to you in this comment thread letting you know when it's published. I intend on my new video being the best and most thorough tutorial for cutting pickguards anywhere on the Internet. Taking my time to make it as thorough as possible and the final video will be around 30-40 minutes long.

[@jakelee7639]

Great music,…kinda ragtime