How to change a batwing pick guard on an SG

[@keithstory-rj6mf]

Thanks, I'm now ready to do it. got a new pick guard...now confidence. Thanks again!

[@jordonresendez6238]

It looks like Angus Young's Back in black Tour Guitar.

[@Snakefinger1000]

No it isn't I've got it.

[@royrcf]

Hi, I tried the cable sheath method on my SG (I have a 2015 without a pick guard so I modified an earlier pick guard to fit) but couldn,t get the pick ups level. I then found fitting one screw without the spring first then fitting the second screw with the spring was much easier. You can then go back unscrew the first screw and fit the spring, because the pick is held at one end I found it so much easier. Thanks for your videos.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

rory flowers hey that's great! Glad you found the video useful

[@scottthompson2255]

This comment saved me so much frustration -- cheers!

[@ThatMattGoodMusic]

Really neat way of shooting these videos with your face in the bottom corner. Great way to make it a bit more personable (I think that's a right word!) without selfie-ing it and keeping the guitar the main focus!

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Thanks Matt. I wanted to do exactly that. My other how to videos were faceless and I just didn't find it very friendly.

[@Dgendreau]

Protective plastic on the pickguard always comes off before bridge and strings go back on! Lol lesson learned!! Love the new editing Andy, really adds alot to your already awesome vids!!

[@TheGuitarGeek]

In all honesty I forgot about it but it's only fair that I showcase my mistakes as well as my triumphs. Hopefully it entertained you ;)

[@mcqueen7584]

Pal...honestly...you made me smile, congrats on achieving the Blow up your video look 🤘😎🤘

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Thanks man. I have a lot of fun working with guitars and I am so glad it comes across in the videos. I have already filmed and edited more and will upload in a trickle over the next few weeks.

[@MrWhiteguy6]

that is some nice video quality! that 'dual camera set up' is so wonderful! great video as usual :D

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I'm glad you like it. I put in a lot of work to make these videos a bit more personable. Still evolving but I'm happy with the way it's going so far! Thankyou

[@B0untyh4nter]

Red and white also looks great!

[@rowlandstraylight]

Silicone tubing sold as catapult elastic or similar works very well for the cable sheath method of mounting pickups and tends remain flexible and springy for much longer than rubber or pvc tube. It also comes in many vivid colours which may be of interest for use with transparent pickguards. It's also really cheap and just the right size to thread inside trem springs to stop them ringing.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

StraylightGuitars another great tip! Thanks

[@marcospintor1333]

Is it possible to go from a little pickup to a big one and vise versa?

[@pentalfakos]

If I'd have let's say a guitar which has the half wing pickguard, would it be easy to change in the batwing pickguard?

[@justinjoe2749]

hey so i was wondering is it possible to change the batguard pickguard on an sg to those smaller ones??

[@brysonhendersonofficial]

My sg has the smaller pick guard, could I upgrade it to the batwing style easily? Besides having to add screw holes?

[@angrytroll27]

@Daysenn Noguera I got that questions to!!

[@BrickwallStudios0]

@@angrytroll27 They do not align, if you install batwing one hole will be visible (near the switch), idk if pickups would fit. I'm interested in the same thing too

[@angrytroll27]

@@BrickwallStudios0 Ah ok one hole i could handle if you find out more keep me posted!

[@Snakefinger1000]

Don't do it, the bats wing pickguard is a pain you can't adjust the pickups so they're level with the strings.

[@bigtom1001]

I really think the small PG looks cheap compared to the full size one, i swapped both my SG's to full size and they look awesome now!!i had to make the bridge holes bigger and it was all very easy,the only problem is that the screw hole closest to the switch,is visible thanks to the old PG being slightly longer😭

[@keithstory-rj6mf]

I just found your channel, do you have more? I have vintage instruments just rediscovered.

[@jonasvanelburg7317]

I don't even own an SG but damn, that camera set-up is amazing

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Thanks Jonas! Please explain yourself... WHY DON'T YOU OWN AN SG???? ;)

[@jonasvanelburg7317]

I've literally made a list, for now strat's first up, then LP, then SG, then some super heavy metal way too many strings shred machine, so unfortunately it might take a little while before I can buy one. On the plus side, I don't have to count quarter turns for a little while longer either ;)

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Jonas VE I think you have your list in the right order.

[@LedZeplican]

Thanks for the perfect video, put a white guard on my black Sg using this video today.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Excellent news!!!

[@patrickhansen7112]

Can you switch from a batwing to another style pickguard on the sg?

[@richardhowell9535]

Will p90s direct fit into a standard, with a p90 pick guard of coarse?

[@imredeak6694]

Marvelous editing! I like the new pickguard on the SG although at first glance it looked a bit strange.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Thanks Imre. This is the new look of the how to videos.

[@untalhdp7713]

Hello, how are you doing, a question, if I want to change from the small pickguard to the large pickguard, is it possible? no problem i guess right?

[@jinxarchives]

Hi mate, where did you get the truss rod cover? Can’t find one like that anywhere

[@Chrosa]

I like this editing style

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Chris Saintmire thanks man.

[@angus9165]

Would you recommend swapping a small pickguard with a big one?

[@karend7641]

I find it easier to remove the pickguard plastic by slightly slackening the screws first, then you are less likely to have tiny bits of plastic caught!

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Stevie G mine wasn't stuck in the screws, it was under the bridge (downtown) where I couldn't lift it. Thanks for the tip

[@Mike6867]

Im getting a Black SG but I bought a White Pickgurd I want my SG to look like Angus Young’s would that be possible?

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Of course man!

[@dantanner1721]

Great job, very well done and informative!!

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Thanks Dan. It's the first in a new series.

[@barbmelle3136]

From Leo: Nice video, I appreciate your work. I cringe with all the people using power screwdrivers on KZbin videos. I assume you have one with the pressure clutch set very low. I am a luthier at a local guitar shop. Almost every guitar I work on has 1/2 the holes stripped out and cracked plastics from over tightening. I have to charge them more for the time drilling and dowelling the holes.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Barb Melle in the wrong hands, power tools are weapons. This tool is not both powered and I've had it long enough to be able to feel the screw

[@Seanmyers2000]

I love my sg but I absolutely cannot stand the batwing pickguard, the way it was in 61’ was awesome

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I used to be the opposite but now I like both

[@Old_School69]

Can you put the full pickguard like the ones in the video even if the one that came on your guitar is the smaller type pickguard like the one that comes on the goth or the Tommy iommi signature models? I don't care for the way the smaller ones look and I prefer the way the bigger ones look.

[@totrodder97]

great stuff! always prefered the batwing pickguard on the SGs but both my epiphones have the 61 style, actually ordered a gibson one a while back and it didnt fit so may have to make me a custom one now :)

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Darryl Williams thanks mate! I can't look at an SG without the batwing. Looks too odd for me

[@tomdameek]

Yes, ever since school of Rock, it has to be a Bat Wing 😄

[@angus9165]

Is it too risky to change from a small pick guard to a batwing pick guard?

[@heavynator1081]

Where did you buy the pickguard from? I also bought a white one on ebay, but it didn't fit my epiphone SG

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I got mine from eBay too. There are just so many shapes and types. I think I got lucky

[@markallen4442]

That SG is looking sweet now mate

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Thanks man! I've been thinking about doing it for a while now...

[@markallen4442]

TheGuitarGeek i wanted to change the half scratchplate on my vintage sg to a batwing but finding one that fits without drilling for the post holes is proving difficult.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I think you'll need to get a custom made one...

[@henryhunter5026]

Interesting, I’ve never owed an SG with the large scratch plate and have always been curious about how much material has been carved out underneath all that plastic. I actually prefer the more traditional small plate with lots more wood on display, l notice that the current SG Standard has the smaller plate again. I don’t know if Gibson thought that the bat wing plate was more attractive but I suspect that it was a cost cutting idea.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Hi Henry, I don't know why but I prefer the batwing. I have an epiphone with a vintage (smaller) pick guard and it just doesn't do it for me. I am not sure why they added it... I also suspect cost cutting

[@henryhunter5026]

I’m currently owning 2 Epiphone SGs both set neck Korean models, one is made of Korina the other the standard mahogany . Both are fitted with Seymour Duncan JB/jazz pickups and sound great to me. The best Gibson SG I ever had in my possession was an early 60s Junior loaned to me whilst my 90s Gibson SG was being fixed under warranty. I kind of regret taking it back when I collected my guitar which I never really bonded with and eventually traded for an ES135 which I still have.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Henry Hunter you've had quite the collection! I absolutely love my SG

[@henryhunter5026]

Yes, I own a few Gibson LPs which are great sounding guitars but the SGs seem to have a bit more prescience and bite. A few years I later saw the SG Junior for sale in another shop, by this time the vintage guitar thing had really caught on and the price being asked was astonishing. I still should have bought it though...

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I love the tone of a Les Paul and it's iconic but I much prefer playing an SG

[@fantomefx]

Thank you :)

[@rhyskenny6429]

White pickguard looks real nice! You ever try make your own pickguard from wood?

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Thanks Rhys. I actually have... it's coming up in a video very soon. If you're planning on doing it, my advice, buy twice as much wood as you need and go slowly.

[@rhyskenny6429]

TheGuitarGeek I did it for the first time only recently! I've a fair bit of experience with a jigsaw so it actually turned out fairly well! Nice custom pickup configuration and all! :P

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Lovely! You should post it on Instagram

[@joshfeatherstone8546]

Where did you get the pickguard from? I want to throw a cream pickguard on my 2008 Gibson SG Special. Thanks for the video.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I think it was from aliexpress

[@joshfeatherstone8546]

TheGuitarGeek thanks man!

[@TheGuitarGeek]

You're welcome!

[@tylersykes7676]

Dose any one know if you can put a batwing pick guard on a vintage sg?

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I’ve tried... off the shelf ones don’t fit

[@Mike6867]

Black Sg and White Pickgurd⚡️⚡️

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Yeah, it is gorgeous

[@jamescashion719]

But you didn't show how you fixed the pickup angle while you had them out

[@jesusxvi]

I just came to see how it looks without pickguard.

[@jesusxvi]

How would the holes be covered?

[@charlesduckettjr.800]

Same here, I just received a great 1993 SG Special, and was wondering what was under that big pickguard. I am a guitar nerd so I will eventually take it all apart, but now I know what to expect. I hope.

[@MD-vx6qt]

Just one problem, in no way does your video show how to keep the pickup screws and springs together and aligned. My SG is apart and now I can't get it back together lol

[@marksmith9874]

Thanks for the video. I have a batwing SG. I've added coil split on neck pickup but angle of pickups relative to strings means that there's an added volume drop. Do you have a preferred approach to managing this problem (foam etc)?

[@charlesduckettjr.800]

Some people use pliers etc. and bend the PU feet for that purpose. I have never tried it myself.

[@BenAck912]

It looks like the PlayStation 2 controller that came with the original Guitar Hero game.

[@seanoconnor5730]

I bought an SG today. I wanna upgrade it. I love it already. But I wanna upgrade it. Change the pickguard and put some new pickups in it.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Cool! which pickups are you thinking of?

[@evans3234]

@@TheGuitarGeek deez nuts

[@DNYS8N]

If your pick guard will not give you that much play, good luck

[@L-lRip]

I think guitar sg no pickguard am ok good i liked

[@BudgetPedalChap]

I think I’ll stick to teles, they are totally sensible in their design... Problem with your bridge pickup? Aaaah crap.

[@TheGuitarGeek]

It's almost as if we should allow them to update their designs....

[@seanoconnor5730]

Yeah but they feel like a block of wood.

[@Muddybagclean]

Jesus Loves You

[@TheGuitarGeek]

I doubt that very much.