How to make an EASY DIY PICKGUARD for your guitar - Part 1!

[@lisalisa13]

One minute in I realized there's absolutely no way I can make a pickguard, but you got me watching the whole thing because of the singing. And I love the tuxedo look. Nice!

[@chrisdigital]

Only about 2-4k in equipment for this easy job🤣. Man, I need to invent a pickguard easy bake oven🤔

[@mvarge]

Exactly the same I thought, thanks for showing how not easy it is to do a pickguard

[@Plunkcown]

yea i think putting "DIY" in the title is misleading as soon as you pull out the router and table saw

[@rockncenter]

I've had an old Guild solid body given to be years ago, with a very homemade metal Pickguard that wasn't doing the body justice, plus the pickup was garbage! With your help from your excellent video, I'm going to make the journey and build my own new PickGuard. Your awesome!!

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

That's awesome! Best of luck with the new pickguard! Thank you for the kind words!

[@lukegoffkat]

Very cool! I love hearing about guitarists doing work on their guitars, rebuilding or modding.

[@dougckelly]

Went out, bought a router, some router bits and some MDF, made a template and a pickguard. Surprisingly easier than expected. I had no proper sanding tools so I used a pair of existing pickguards taped together to make a template to then build and finish the template, the trimming router bit has the guide at the top so this worked very well and I didn't need to do any sanding at all. Obviously this is a luxury and only an option if you're working from an existing guard.

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

That's great! Glad to hear it worked for you!

[@Tra539]

I love this guy's personality!!

[@fairusetv2953]

Summary: there is no “Easy” way to make a pickguard.

[@carpo719]

there is!

[@toybonniesfm]

@@carpo719 Tell usssss

[@Randy-ul5hy]

@@toybonniesfm LOL..I think it really depends on how fussy a person wants to be. Look at EVH's early Frankinstrats for example. Those handmade/homemade pick guards were far from perfection....but now what many want to copy.

[@getpeko54]

Great vid. I have one question: Why is it necessary to use the MDF board? Wouldn't it work as well with just cutting and routing the pick guard material without it?

[@HunterVanHouten]

Thanks! The reason for using the MDF is to have something solid and thick for the router bearing to ride against. It allows for a uniform flush cut as well as an even bevel cut.

[@yonesmoloodi1886]

Super easy

[@TempleGuitars]

I'm all about the singing bits.

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

Haha, thanks. It just comes out like that.

[@mooneyes1114]

Love the video! I’m currently tempting this myself, quick question on the MDF board. I’m looking at some on Amazon rn that are a 1/4” thick, do you recommend a thicker size or will this suffice? Thanks!

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

I would recommend a little bit thicker, more like 1/2". The 1\4" has too much give when there is no support on the edge of a surface with a router on it. If you have a router table, then you could use 1/4" because you would be cutting on a flat surface with support.

[@mooneyes1114]

Much appreciated! I will go with 1/2” then. Thanks again!

[@blackcatpgh13]

I have to make a pickguard for a guitar that I'm building (Mosrite slab body knockoff) - they didn't have bevels so I'm just going to trace the other pickguard that I have and carefully use a dremel. Hopefully it works out. Getting the pickup mounting holes is going to be interesting. Good video!

[@layz_gaming_4275]

So how'd it go?

[@blackcatpgh13]

@@layz_gaming_4275 It came out OK, aside from the dremel catching my hair and swinging around and smacking me on the bridge of my nose giving me two black eyes (OSHA would have a shitfit). Never doing that again without the hair tied back and safety goggles, haha! I used the guitar at a gig recently. It has some problems staying in tune (a LOT of neck flex) but I have some ideas to fix that.

[@layz_gaming_4275]

​@@blackcatpgh13 well hey at least you learned something lol

[@GyattYachtOffical]

Man I thought I had this, I'm freaking cooked.

[@trashcat1031]

Wow, what a fun project. That pickup looks cool. What kind of Gemini pickup is that?

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

Thanks! I believe it's a P90 sized Gold Foil Teisco or DeArmond. I can't remember which one it is modeled after. You can't go wrong either way!

[@polkadotz666]

Do you still have the lefty Pickgaurd and will you part with it? Collin. Roanoke, VA

[@lukegoffkat]

That double curve that goes past the toggle switch- that area (The guitar body) could be cut to match and have what looks like a nice handle in the body. Would be a cool look that would go with the nice curvy pick guard! I won't do that on the Tele style guitar I'm building, but maybe in the future I'll take your shape and do that. Paint one neon green maybe! The one I'm building now has some artwork I painted. It's a very lightly stained eggplant color with dark eggplant for the artwork and sides. Had to do that to the sides because it was crazy, all the end grain in places I didn't expect. Thanks for the video, I was just getting ready to do one myself, and you reminded me that I need a bevel! Thx.

[@onebadbug]

Nice… someone just gave me a 1961 Kay with the same guard…. Any chance you can remake another one for me? …Minus the pickup cut, screw & control holes?

[@carpo719]

Nice work man! I just picked up a sheet of this stuff. Traced out a strat pickguard, then used the sander to get my bevel. Love how it looks!

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

Thanks for checking out the video! That's great to hear you made your own and you're happy with how it turned out!

[@jamesrobinsonjr.9384]

​@VanHoutenBuilds do uou still have the pickgaurd that came with it?

[@daverobinson22]

Strat owners - Why go through all of this crap when you can buy Strat pickguards for as little as £6 on eBay ?🤔

[@rpashoukos]

Very cool, and thinking I need a bandsaw. I got a kick how you screwed up, that would be me. Great job!

[@Randy-ul5hy]

Yup..highly recommended. See my post above where I used a jig saw and results were not as good.

[@MattsGarageMiscDIY]

Nicely done.

[@ChrisFranklyn]

You gotta make a template to make the template! And yeah, I've fallen for the measure once, measure twice, but don't check it's the right way up trap before.

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

Indeed haha. It worked out in the end!

[@rowanmurphy5239]

Great work bud

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

Thanks!

[@jakescorpion1]

Perfecto

[@normcote270]

Excellent tutorial,...thank you Bro, very helpful to my project!!

[@jamman6]

Dig your vibe bro!

[@EnoshimaUke]

Thanks for this! I'm a very visual learner. I've already made the paper template for mine. It's just a tiny pickguard for a ukulele that I just completed (Buck Owens AMERICAN Harmony guitar replica ukulele). It's not necessary but just to complete the look. I'll cut the wood template with a jigsaw and I have two small routers. I'll use the dremel one. Thanks again!

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

That's awesome! Glad you're giving it a try and doing it yourself, it's so rewarding! Thanks for checking out the video!

[@Randy-ul5hy]

So I just finished this entire process in which I made a custom pick guard for one of my Charvels. This was my first time making a pick guard however I will say I am quite experienced and handy with tools and wood working. Here are my thoughts..if I do it again I will purchase and use a band saw for any cutting. I used a jig saw and although I used brand new laminate cutting blades...it still managed to grab the material and in one instance it actually cracked the guard and I had to start over. In my opinion, it is always better to work the material around the stationary cutting blade, then manually moving the cutting blade around the material. So I would use a band saw and router for any cutting/trimming. The rest can be accomplished as I did with hand tools.Cheers!

[@jonaswallengren654]

Impressive work!

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

Thank you!

[@daniwest1370]

Great Stuff

[@stevethanos4182]

Thanks for making this really informative and fun video. Making pickguards is fun but also very time consuming. When you figure how many years you'll spend with your guitar and the enjoyment factor, you forget about the time spent. It's a labor of love as everything should be. What was the music you had going on in the background? Very cool. Thanks again.

[@stevethanos4182]

I Shazamed it. Crashing In by Jones Meadow.

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

Thank you! Yeah it's definitely a labor of love. The music is from Edpidemic Sound. I'll have to look it up and get back to you on it!

[@patrickcarroll1754]

Where did you learn how to do all this, man? Terrific job.

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

Hey! Thank you! I learned a lot from watching other people do things, and also from reading books. Mainly I've always been able to look at something, and know how to make it, if that makes sense? It's kind of weird, but I can just sort of look at an object and know which tools I need to make it and how to go about making it.

[@toneseeker4968]

Awesome series of videos! I found you because I'm looking to buy a couple of pickguards for two Limited Edition ES 335 Pro's that I have and cannot find on the market. Do you happen to be in the busines of also making and SELLING pickguards?

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

Thanks! I make them for my custom builds, but usually don't make them for other guitars, b/c without the original pickguard or guitar body, it is very difficult to get the fit exact.

[@toneseeker4968]

@@VanHoutenBuilds Thank you for replying, VHG! Well, I'll go for a long shot and ask if I could send you a template of the pickguard, would that be something you'd consider?

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

@@toneseeker4968 Let's further discuss. Please email me [e-mail]

[@toneseeker4968]

@@VanHoutenBuilds OK, I will...thank you!

[@toneseeker4968]

@@VanHoutenBuilds Ok, I sent you an email just now...hope you get it...

[@toneseeker4968]

Thank you for replying, VHG! Well, I'll go for a long shot and ask if I could send you a template of the pickguard, would that be something you'd consider?

[@Tboyhoot777]

from stewmac, tells me just a little too much. I think i'll just buy one, reshape and tell amazon or timu ... thanks! ... And thanks for the video. Very entertaining!!!

[@KennedyIvy]

Can you sand down a pickguard for small shaping?

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

Yes, but only on the outsides. If you sand the actual face it will not look good and ruin the finish.

[@jazzman1954]

So did you have to buy another sheet of material? Thanks for the video. I’m going to have a second attempt for mine!

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

Luckily I did not have to. That's why I always put things right to the edge when I'm using sheets so I have enough material left over for other things or a second try if I need it.

[@seraph8293]

What if you want to put different pickups on the new pickguard

[@xpurplebballx]

Omg, the singing and facial expressions and the content. Love it all!

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

Thanks Frances! Haha just being me.

[@michaelheiser861]

and life ta da

[@Tboyhoot777]

Oh wow... just noticed this is Part 1 .... lol ... thanks. Pick gurard?

[@barrybjerke9353]

...what song did you use for this project ?

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

at which section of the video? I used about 6 different songs. Also I would highly recommend downloading the Shazaam app, it helps me find songs all the time!

[@martianoutpost13]

Just wondering, what size of router bit did you use in the little Ryobi router to clean up the edge of the pickguard?

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

Hey Blair, I use a 1/4" bit from stewmac to route the general shape, then I use the 45 degree pickguard routing bit from stewmac to bevel the pickguard.

[@martianoutpost13]

@@VanHoutenBuilds Thanks... I like your vids and sense of humour, it's refreshing to see someone who can laugh at themselves!!!

[@mindfield9832]

Ugh. There’s no way I can do this. I don’t have the tools and I might hurt myself as usual.

[@bustalick335]

Love this channel. Not sure about the off key singing. Yet I love it lol

[@iandowsett9844]

The easy way? Great if you have a fully kitted out workshop at your disposal

[@AgentSmith13]

Need a link to the pick guard material

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

It's the 5-ply black pickguard material from Stewmac.com. One side is gloss and the other side is matte.

[@josed2828]

I was trying with just sandpaper, but it is not possible to do a good job, sanding exactly 45 degrees is almost impossible for me. I'll buy a router to finish the job. Thanks you.

[@edo_freestylee]

Love it! I like how you are and interested i what you do. Keep it up!

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

Thank you! Will do!

[@prouncecat7119]

Hey you look a little like Ben Wyatt from parks and recreation.

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

Haha, thanks! I LOVE that show!

[@risksrewardsrelics51]

I was thinking that he reminded me of Burt Chance from Raising Hope.

[@ckdpraha]

Irritating presentation but great work

[@stephenbarton2625]

You still have that mistake pickguard? I could use it. Lol

[@rishpanjeet7479]

I have a Kay Vanguard in green with the ugliest yellow barf/70s pattern. The green (olive) can work but the pg had GOTTA GO

[@Iamboredatworkyesyesyes]

I’m turning my Jackson into a rick no matter what it take lmao

[@brianrussell1565]

Why not just cut the plastic with the paper template instead of the wood

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

Cutting it on top of the MDF enables me to use a router so I can get super smooth lines. It also allows for me to easily cut the bevel.

[@dammitjim9131]

It's easy. First buy thousands of dollars of equipment to cut the pickguard. Then, voila, done! Easy peasey.

[@shopofdoom]

Why make a wooden pickguard template when you could have just used the paper template?

[@HunterVanHouten]

Because a router bit bearing won't travel on the edge of paper. You need something like wood or mdf for the bit bearing to ride along.

[@leobender2910]

Vocal fry alert

[@charlesco689]

If it is easy, what would be hard? 😢

[@MikeBrownRehobothBeach]

Lol. he says easy, then proceeds to spend hours on it with lots of tools that not everyone has. End result looks very nice though. Making one for my headless guitar and came here for ideas.

[@rgcdn]

Not easy at all, tks

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

Yeah I guess it's subjective depending on how "handy" of a person you are. haha, to me it's easy and I think anyone can learn how to do this with the right tools.

[@jimx1696]

Easy DIY. Uses tools worth $10k.

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

Hey Jim, none of my tools are worth 10K, most of them I've bought, used, at estate sales for dirt cheap. Only ordered a few of them new and I can tell you that none of them cost over several hundred $. WEN tools are super affordable. I wish I had even $1K to spend on tools! Thanks for the support.

[@jimx1696]

@@VanHoutenBuilds hah, thanks for the reply mate it was more a joke than anything. Anyhow, you used a handful of big tools/machines. None of which I expect a "normal" person would have at home. Hence, the comment.

[@lesblack413]

Man, you camera work sucks big time. Interesting video but hard to watch as your camera is all over the place!!

[@RW3871]

Easy? 😂

[@fraterfraxinus6293]

The constantly moving camera makes this unwatchable.

[@VanHoutenBuilds]

Tell me about it, it gets even more crazy when I switch to using the tripod 45 seconds in....