How To Make A Guitar Pickguard

[@budandbean1]

I'm really impressed in the way you are cutting the switch slot, that's just as slick as it can be. Thanks for showing how you did it!

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

+Buddy Martin Thanks for watching Buddy !

[@Jseagle1989]

@@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars HI, I like your video. I'm an avid diyer, and it helped me a lot. However, I don't have a table router. Could this same process work with a hand router with a guide bushing on the end ?

[@danterosales9392]

@@Jseagle1989 mate the router he used WAS a hand router. the table was just for flush trimming and chamfering. you can do the same with a handheld router. im more interested in asking how he enlarged the switch cavity so cleanly lol

[@SyntagmaStation]

Dave, I can't afford your guitars and I can't build them either. But just know that your videos provide an awesome fantasy for people half a world away -- building beautiful instruments in paradise (and knowing how to do it). Keep em coming. We love them. You're the man!

[@eddiejulian8550]

Man I can't wait till I can get Fletcher's template sets, I've been using some less than perfect templates you basically have to recreate your own templates to make them work but I bet his are perfect simply based off of watching how amazingly precise his guitar building skills are. Yet another awesome video, thank you Fletcher.

[@Metal_89]

glad to see you're back posting videos! you always have very good videos that are easy to understand and follow along with. i've probably watched your custom strat build videos at least 5 times. i never tire of seeing your excellent craftsmanship come together in a stunning guitar. i hope you do more custom build videos in the future. your work truly is amazing!

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

+Andy Gosman Cheers Andy, thanks for watching

[@davidheiser6932]

Thanks for showing the perfect answer to my existing question. Very nice work.

[@samohtben]

Love all your videos, but especially the Junior series and the forearm contour binding video. You show many things clearly that no one else does. If folks with a hankering for a truly custom instrument are watching any of your stuff, they'd be buying!! Thanks mate!

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

+Ben Thomas Thanks Sam

[@anttipartti7736]

I just love this channel. The quality of the videos is top notch, everything is explained really well and Mr. Fletcher is such an expert at what he does. Thumbs up from Finland! :)

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

+Antti Partti Thanks Antti :-)

[@thesimulations8900]

I always enjoy these types of videos. Be it home renovations or diy projects. If I have a complete workshop and every specialized tool known to man then the job is actually quite simple.😂

[@marcelomendonca2095]

Hello Mr. Fletcher! I'm from Brazil and I'm a big fan of yours! I just can't get tired of watching your videos! It amazes me how clean and efficient your work is! I hope one day I'll be able to visit your shop! Keep it up with the youtube uploads!

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

+Marcelo Mendonça Hey Marcelo, thanks for your kind words

[@Barrygee]

I'd like to see a video on making a template, I've not found one on KZbin as of yet...I think that would be interesting

[@graysonadams2485]

MDF and a laser cutter

[@alidan]

hand tools, or CNC of some sort,

[@GregsGarage]

You are spot on... No vids out there showing how to do this. I like the guide bushing approach.

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

+Greg's Garage Thanks Greg

[@Reggae_SPYS]

Excellent video with time-lapse used to great effect eliminating repetition. Kept the chit-chat down to a minimum and great up close camera work. This is an outstanding educational video and I learned heaps thank you!

[@wescanaday8336]

Watching someone who is very skilled build guitars is soothing enough, but those background noises take it over the top!

[@rush2795]

now THAT'S how you make a pickguard

[@soyborne.bornmadeandundone1342]

Beats the way I do it lolz. Hammers... Plyers... Drill bits lol

[@Greghc48]

Very impressed on how you did this! Very helpful video. Would like to see how you created the template also …

[@wald3mar]

Really tidy piece of work. Excellent.

[@Dopefish76]

Brilliant video! It's great to see how you solved the selector switch problem! Cheers!

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

+Corbato Thanks :-)

[@apinakapinastorba]

Just going to cut a pickguard later this week, and you post a video about it. How convenient :)

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

+apinakapinastorba Good timing !

[@leftpastsaturn67]

Great tutorial mate. The entertaining part is getting the finished guard off the template...

[@HarryHopkinson]

This is so clever!!!! brilliant craftsmanship! Ill be using this for sure! Thank you!!! Just out of interest.... Do you use your CNC for cutting pickguards? Id imagine that would make things so easy!

[@acdc4eva1]

Have you looked into laser cutters at all? They are a little pricey but the work you can do with them is phenomenal. Whole operation can be done in a single step not to mention the possibilities for etching/engraving/cutting artwork into not just pick-guards but other things like back-plate/truss rod cover etc. Just food for thought really

[@Shadoweclipse1386]

Fantastic video! Simple and to-the-point. Thank you!

[@keatonrobinson2970]

Beautiful result! can't wait to try this out!

[@MusicSam63]

its very cool you showing us all your hand build technics very cool thanks

[@dakineman]

Love your quality work, can you tell me what equipment model you are using: Router, Router Table, Band Saw and drill press. I'm looking to buy some but not sure which ones. Thanks in advance.

[@charlesduckettjr.800]

Glad to see you countersink the strat PU height screw holes. Most don't bother including Fender. If you play with thumb & fingers at all those screws sticking up will vex you. Sure do me anyway.

[@danielzaragoza6486]

Where can I get a full sheet of the material

[@michaeladamcaira9174]

hey fletcher,im just wondering if your gonna be posting more builds,ive learned alot watching you,hope to see more soon

[@michaeladamcaira9174]

Fletch,were have u been,im a luthier,a couple of years now,and your vids were awesome,hope alls well,looking forward to see many more

[@Fretworkguitarsrepair]

hi how are you.. very good your video.. i made a DAVID GILMOUR BLACK PICKGUARD and i would like to make it rounded bevel. can you tell me which would be the ROUTER BITS I should use? thanks

[@Ciscoho]

I am thinking of adding a pearloid pickguard to my Epiphone Viola bass to make it look like the McCartney Hofner Violin bass. Because it is a semi-hollow body, I am worried that using screws may affect the resonance and sound of the hollow body however I don't want to use glue or an adhesive as the guitar has a beautiful finish and in case I no longer wanted to have the guard, I don't want to ruin the finish if I were to peel it off. Any ideas ?

[@-fenderbassman977]

I’m just curious. If you have a CNC. Why don’t you just cut it on the CNC. Why make a template first?

[@acowen]

I'd like to see your approach to an inside radius that is smaller that the smallest available pattern following bit. I've always used an appropriately sized drill bit to get the corner cut, abs then used the regular pattern bit to cut the rest - but I'd be interested if there was a better way.

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

+Aidan Cowen Your approach is solid Aidan. Drilling the inside radius works well. Alternatively, You can oversize the cavity and use a guide bushing as I did in this video

[@cessrcd]

Quality craftsmanship, wish you were in the UK

[@user-sn3cs2hd8r]

I always thought the router bit would melt the pickguard - no ? What speed?

[@joeanderson3423]

HI .. as other have noted, VERY cool way to cut the slot. You started with a template with the wider opening, allowing you to use a guide bushing. I make a custom pickguard for a Fender Squier Mini (3/4 size body) wherein the pickguard is a somewhat smaller size than a full size Fender Strat pickguard. I'm not aware of any templates for a Squier Mini. So I made one ... EXCEPT for the wide slot. So I'm stuck at cutting the slot. So seems like a catch 22?

[@lukeermyeahman]

Awesome video although I am a little bias being a Fletcher myself. Do you have any videos on how to create your own templates? I dont have a CNC so i would need to make one myself!

[@heavymod9476]

this was super helpful, in that I realized I need way to many tools to do this. Gonna sell my blanks and buy a finished one lol.

[@CDNLH]

Fantastic video mate! Just wondering what kind of plastic you used so I know what to look out for. Not overly keen on the stuff that most luthier suppliers keep in stock. Cheers!

[@HearGear]

What type of router bit is that with that tiny ball bearing ? Where can i buy one of those router bits ? // Cheers

[@weenerdoggs]

Amazing to see such a skilled approach! Thanks for the video :)

[@ccgbassandmore3]

Great video but I am making a pick guard for a base that is totally new. And I'm worried I'm going to mess up putting in the screws where they're supposed to be. Do you have a tip for that?

[@wallyguardian4456]

Do not mind those negative comments. You are awesome!!! Thank you for sharing

[@donaldswan1587]

PLEASE tell me where you get a sheet of pickguard material that size!

[@samohtdivad]

good to see some new videos...

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

+thomas dave :-)

[@JackstandJohnny]

You dont need a CNC machine or a router to do this. I use a band saw to cut it and get the rough shape, a file and sandpaper to round the edges, a drill press to male the holes and a dremel tool for the pickuo selector switch slot, finished with jewelers files(same ones I use for fret end dressing). Ive used ABS plastic off eBay with goos success. You dont need expensive pearloid stuff. Just any hard plastic the right thickness. Id recommend somwthing that can be heat formed as it will be way more flexible.

[@rengamz]

Any Alternative cutting equipment that can be used? Not everyone got those machines though ... cheers! nice vid!

[@edcsrbija787]

great work mate... can u tell me what material are you using and how you make it 3 plyes is it glue or what?best regards

[@ferris5150]

really brilliant video. Just what i was looking for! thanks so much!! :)

[@joelfildes5544]

How do you know how much to countersink to ? Or is it just by eye ? Cheers

[@samohtdivad]

who makes the kind pickguard Material ...look nice..

[@nickparkin8527]

What if I want to add a polka dot pattern to my pickguard? How would I go about doing this??

[@racl1954]

Great tutorial, but the most important thing is having the template which obviously has to be precision made. I can't find anywhere on the web where you can just by the template. Would be good if you give us a tutorial on making the template. Thanks for sharing.

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

They are available on my website

[@INeverWanted2010]

Can you tell me what kind/size of bit you're using to cut the countersink slope for the screws?

[@alanstclair8040]

Nice techniques, Mr Fletcher, but why don't you make the pick guards on the CNC? Too many tool changes?

[@thijs199]

Don't have a CNC but will make first one out of wood just by hand I guess, then continue onto the plastic. A pickguard made costs like 70 euros while the material only costs 10, so it's definitely worth the effort!

[@thegee-tahguy4877]

Why on Gods Earth don't they make pickguard material from a dielectric so it won't build up and discharge electricity?

[@scottmartinezguitarandbass]

I have to ask, what's the benefit of making your own pickguard, of a model that is easily (and in some cases, cheaply) ordered and obtained online? I can see making a pickguard for your own design, but for a Strat design? You can get one for just over $10, shipped on Amazon.

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

not all pickguards are alike - Holes and routes don't line up ($10 Amazon pickguards especially). Plus, you can use any material you want to make a custom guard. And finally, if you're making your own guitar from scratch it's nice to make your own pickguard too.

[@gregsteffey1266]

I just attempted to do one. The corners for the Humbucker pickup went bigger/ rounder than the template. Or more round than I expected. Did I set the 45 bit too deep or do I need a smaller 45 degree route bit?

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

You need a smaller pattern bit to fit into the humbucker corners by the sound of it

[@1969MARKETING]

i wonder if they make an affordable laser cutter that can do this?

[@deltadada]

Great videos... what kind of saw and blade do I need to rough cut the plastic without ruining (melting, tearing) the plastic or the blade?

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

+deltadada Nothing special, just a 6TPI 1/4" blade

[@wungabunga]

Love the guide bush trick! Any tips for accurately cutting the enlarged slot without a CNC machine?

[@eddiejulian8550]

Yeah do it by had with a dremmel and a diamond straight but. I measure the leangth of the slot I want, draw it out on a piece of half inch MDF, drill it out then use a small file to clean it up, stick that to the pick guard or body and use the same dremmel and bit to rout out the slot. It's not as good as having Fletcher's templates by any means but you will get the same results if you take your time and go slow, I've done over 10 guitars this way and it works great, Fletcher's way is definitely better though I would and am going to be buying his templates I just have to save a little money I just bought a ton of rosewood so I'm strapped for a couple weeks.

[@rexstratofan7266]

what is a CNC machine?

[@ayanjaved322]

What method you use this for making a pickguard?

[@tsirok539]

Very professional job!! i have a question: how do i approach a gibson sg small pickguard? i have the template and a 3ply plastic blank. i have also a table router. this pickguard is small and i'm afraid very much... when try to routing the piece tends to fly away... i'm very scared... even with low rpm any suggestion?..

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

+tsirok539 Firstly, use a couple of push pads and not your fingers to route the template LOL . If you are getting some resistance when you route and you feel like your not in control, you need to look at why that is. Are you removing as much waste plastic as you can before you route ?

[@tsirok539]

+Fletcher Handcrafted Guitars Thanks for your reply Mr.Fletcher. I will try with push pads cause as you notice i use my fingers for pushing down. I have done routing a whole guitar with no issues, thats why i was scared when try the small pickguard. :-)

[@fredgerantabee571]

Great video, thank you! I have a question - do you do any finishing/polishing of the edge of the pickguard after you've beveled it to smooth out the cuts? Just cut my first pickguard but the edges, while clean, are still a bit gritty.

[@larscw74]

Nice video, had not seen much from you since you got the X carve. Have you ever done a video making split coil humbucker pickups? I know you did one about humbuckers about 4 years ago but i couldn't find anything on splitcoil.

[@alfatone2654]

great job, thanks for the demo

[@TangleTwister]

hey man,could you answer a quick couple of question for me please ? where did you get the plastic for making the pickguards ? can you buy plastic that is made just for making pickguards ? great tutorial as well dude...

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

Try here for starters but lots of places sell pickguard plastic - www.stewmac.com/SiteSearch/?search=pickguard%20material

[@elams1894]

Nice vid Fletch!!! I like the guide bushings! I'm gonna have to try and find one for my Makita but doubt they exist unfortunately. Guess that leaves me only one option... make one myself ha ha. Good to see you back on the tube. I like your store too. I'm really gonna have to get my act together now. I'm still wollowing in the rat race 9-5... things have got to change;)

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

+elams1894 Thanks ! You can actually buy a new universal base for your router that accepts the guide bushings. Carbatec in Australia sell them if you wanted to go that route. But making it would be pretty cool :-)

[@enderukadi3987]

Nice pick guard mr....

[@elsenorx·hace.10.años]

Where did you get the plastic?

[@muhammadrinosyahputra2569]

Can i order a pickguard for my guitar?

[@deltafour1212]

Is that a 1ply, 2ply, or 3ply pickguard?

[@adrianvihll]

Nice bro! Just a question: Where can I get that drill whit the "stop" circle to don´t cut the wood?

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

Its just a countersink drill bit

[@fatihgundogusu9407]

I have schecter custom solo II and i losted pickguard 🤦🏻‍♂️ where can i buy or can someone pla share with me dimensions please

[@tubbluv]

Hey, really need to know...what kind of bit was it that you used to do the trim the entire edge and pickup holes, right after you did the rough trim with the bandsaw???

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

Just a 3/8" router bit with a bearing

[@delamar6199]

Love that accent! And nice work of course!

[@Vaistarr]

Hi Fletcher, I've watched nearly all your great videos which helped me a lot for my first build. Since i live in France, finding router bits is a real nightmare. Where could i find the bits you use ? I am interested in one in particular : the spiral trimmer with a double bearing you use for body contouring, out of the bandsaw cuts. It would be a great help for me if you could give me that tip ! Thanks a lot for inspiring us with your great work !

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

HI there Francois, You can buy them from Amazon - The order code is 191.507.11B

[@FesixGermany]

This looks beautiful as always. How about engraving your logo with the CNC on the pickguard? I think this may look good the white logo on the black background.

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

+FesixGermany G'day , yes I do engrave my logo into the pickguard with the CNC

[@duck_quack6208]

i am looking to get a second guitar and i am puting a pic gurd on it but there is no pic gurds that will fit and this video makes sence

[@graeme1744]

You are so professional

[@codysuchomski6498]

Why didn't you just use your CNC machine to cut the pickguard?

[@PauloSilva-gr5tz]

Hi, wehre did you buy the big Scratch Plate?

[@octanekustomguitarworks510]

where o you get bits for doing angle on new pcs?

[@adriankennedy4099]

Love your work

[@elbenaso]

Hi!, what's your router table brand? thanks

[@mjgb6064]

Hi my friend i need the plastic plate under the neck, for gibson es 333 Tom delonge model

[@fredrik.larsen]

Excellent as always! Thanks

[@derekmullen2507]

Would you know where to get a template like that? Or would you be willing to make a sell a template like that?? (Just the shape, wouldn’t need the pickups or screw holes) I can find one anywhere. just thought I’d ask. Thank you!

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

Hi, They are on my website fletcherhandcraftedguitars.com under the templates section

[@derekmullen2507]

Awesome!! Thank you!!

[@dennisharding5767]

How did you stick the guard onto the template.. glue, double-sided tape?

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

double sided tape

[@dennisharding5767]

@@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars thanks

[@brendanlindsaywebb4932]

Looks great, thank you.

[@farshidganji860]

What is material plastic? for example pelecsi or carbon normal plastic ?

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

ABS Plastic

[@Juliuss19933]

Hello ! i was thinking of building stat by myself :) maybe you have pdf file off all dimensios of body. I only want to craft a body :)

[@BSMikkel]

Nice vid and good to have you back :) I was wondering - since Im about to make my first pick guard, for my almost finished homemade guitar (LP jr. DC padouk neck, jatoba fretboard and alder body - just FYI ;) ): That large sheet of plastic - did you get it from a regular guitar supply shop or else? I have a hard time getting blanks around here...

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

+Mikkel Bom Simonsen No, too expensive to buy from a guitar supply shop. Phone around, find out where your local sign writers buy their plastics from. That's where you want to buy it . You will need to buy a big sheet though.

[@BSMikkel]

:) Exactly my thoughts (on the cost). Was looking into signmakers too, but didnt find exactly what I needed - will try again though. Thanks a lot for the info! :)

[@getenlightened]

Nice touch!

[@AntonioCavicchioni]

No more videos?

[@shanemichaelneal648]

Amazing job! Cheers!

[@JeanMarceaux]

So, to make a 10-20$ pickguard, I first need to have a 1500$ routing table, 1000$ belt saw table, and a workshop to store it at. Seems reasinable and affordable enough 😎👍

[@grateful4068]

Great video!

[@guitaryuan]

Hi,would you please tell me the name of the machine you used at 3:03-4.25? Thank you!

[@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars]

Hi, its a router mounted in a router table