Make Your Axe Sing: A Guide to Custom Guitar Pickguards

Performing musicians have an intimate relationship with the guitar, and, unsurprisingly, with its parts as well, such as dual guitar pickguards. Being a simple mold of plastic, the pickguard serves more than just safeguarding the body of the guitar. It is an artistic centerpiece, an opportunity to express how you sound and what you look like. Even if you play only on an amateur level and have just got your first guitar, a custom pickguard will help you stand out from the crowd.

Why Pick a Custom Pickguard?

Those are a few of the reasons which may tempt you to get a pickguard which is unique from the available mass produced ones.

• Be Different:

It is true that mass-produced pickguards are very beautiful and efficient but guarantee no originality. You can tailor your pickguard to fit your own unique style so that it not only protects your instrument but also complements your love of music.

• Suit The Look:

Has your favorite band stylized their own pickguard? Perhaps you have a preference for particular colors, or some artwork that would be ideal on the guitar. A custom pick guard helps in coordinating the instrument with the individual’s taste.

• Change Your Tone:

Of course pick guards are primarily made with practical protection in focus but some materials can also change the way the guitar sounds. The different materials such as celuloid or anodized aluminum can tweak the sound slightly.

• How to Repair an Existing or Broken Pickguard:

Things do happen. A custom pickguard can help rejuvenate an instrument especially if it’s been abused over the years. You may also take this chance to recreate a whole new image.

Things to Keep in Mind When Creating Your Custom Pickguard

Designing a custom guitar pickguard is not only fun but also challenging. In regards to this there are a number of elements, which need to be taken into consideration:

Material:

Celluloid: The traditional material which is used

on pickguards mainly due to its warm and antique nature.

PVC: Offers flexibility and strength at a low price though it may not have the amazing properties of celluloid.

Acrylic: Unlike acrylic which is sold at any popular name painting mainly protects the wood grain through transparency and light body weight.

Metal: It provide a rather contemporary style but there are some tones which will be slightly affected.

Design:

Solid color: Choose from extensively pale to bright colours that can either mismatch or match your guitar’s finish.

Artwork: Use pickguards into which you can put printed materials.

Pre-Done Designs: Many companies have pre-done designs inclusive of various pictures and colours in several shapes.

Functionality:

Pickup Configuration: Try to be satisfied with the pickguard shape if you have some particular pickup configuration in mind (i.e.: single coil or humbucker pickups).

Control Knobs: Don’t forget that the pickguard will need plenty of holes providing the correct number and placement of holes for your control knobs.

In Search of a Personalised Pickguard Maker

Many reputable businesses have emerged in recent years that make a variety of custom pick guards for use on guitars. Tips for picking the perfect custom pickguard maker for you are these:

Look for past clients’ feedback: Other customers are a good resource for gauging the qualitative factors of various pickguard makers.

Look for pricing and other options: Pricing policies, the structure and fabric materials vary amongst most companies. Pick out one that best suits your pockets wise and needs.

Find out by contacting the customer support department of the company whether or not they provide such level of customisation that you wish: It would be good to know whether or not you would be lacking in what is provided or omitted.

Understand their return policy: It is worth reading the company's return policy since you may change your mind if the product is not how you thought it would turn out.

Fitting Your Custom Pickguard

For most advanced guitarists fitting a pickguard is a fairly uneventful task. However, in case you are still not confident about doing it by yourself, there are many guitar stores that offer fitting services.

The last word

For every other person who wishes to decorate their guitar, they do not have to look any further because they have clean custom guitar pick guards. With all of that consideration, including the materials, style and purpose of the product and even the pickguard maker in you, a one of a kind item can definitely be constructed that suits one’s taste of music. So, whatever you have been waiting for, express yourself and design a pickguard that your guitar will be calling for!