Alluminium Scratchplate

[HowToKillAKing]

Hey wasn't sure where to post this so i'll put it in here. Please move if needed.

I am thinking of replacing the standard pickups on a Telecaster with some Seymour Duncan hotrails, STHR-1b and STHR-1n.
http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/telecaster/cutting-edge/hot_rails_for_t/


I a also going to replace the pickguard with something a little bit more flashy...
http://www.allparts.com/Polished-Aluminum-Telecaster-Pickguard-p/pg-0562-014.htm

I have read on the internet of metallic pick guards causing problems with feedback? Just wondering if this would be the case especially when using such a high output pickup. Just trying to find out whether this set up would work or would i be in for a bumpy ride, any ectra info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
HTKAK

 

[SeanM]

The first guitar I built used an Aluminum pickguard, with three high output humbuckers in it and I have never had an issue with noise or feedback. Just make sure everything shielded properly and you should be good to go.

 

[HowToKillAKing]

Thanks.

Looks like i am going to have to make my own though.
Can't find a lefty one anywhere!

 

[Jusatele]

I have an aluminum plate on my strat, never had a problem with feedback

 

[B3Guy]

can you get an aluminum one w/o holes for screws drilled? ('cause if you can, you should be able to just flip it over, unless it is only polished on one side . . .)  :dontknow:

 

[HowToKillAKing]

Good thought B3Guy but it doesn't look like it.

Should be an easy build, just take a stencil of the pickguard last on the guitar and draw it on the alluminium, cut it out on a CNC router and then just a case of smoothing over the edges, drilling the holes and polishing.

 

[line6man]

Where on earth did you read that a metal pickguard would cause feedback?

The opposite would be true.
The idea would be to ground the pickguard, such to create a Faraday cage with the shielded cavity beneath it.
Theoretically ,it would make things much quieter, as RFI/EMI would be earthed as it hits grounded metal surface.

 

[jackthehack]

I've got three on different builds, no issues at all.

If you go look on eBay, you can find them really cheap from Chinese suppliers, like $25 or so; might check if they have left-handed ones from those sources.

 

[Graffiti62]

Where on earth did you read that a metal pickguard would cause feedback?

The opposite would be true.
The idea would be to ground the pickguard, such to create a Faraday cage with the shielded cavity beneath it.
Theoretically ,it would make things much quieter, as RFI/EMI would be earthed as it hits grounded metal surface.

Neil Young always stated that the aluminum pickguard he has on "Old Black" adds in a little feedback, which, he states, adds to his sound.

 

[HowToKillAKing]

When alluminium is placed under a magnetic field it changes the tone of the pickup, just wondered if anyone knew of any changes when it was used as a pickguard.

Thanks for your replies all.

Pictures not till after Christmas though i wouldn't of thought though.  :tard:

 

[Rickgrxbass]

When alluminium is placed under a magnetic field it changes the tone of the pickup, just wondered if anyone knew of any changes when it was used as a pickguard.

Thanks for your replies all.

Pictures not till after Christmas though i wouldn't of thought though.  :tard:

Aluminum is nonmagnetic, so it shouldn't affect the pickup tone one way or the other (okay, I know they use vibrating aluminum plates to hover the maglev train, but that's some voodoo physics beyond the scope of this thread).  I'd think your guitar would keep its tone.

Fender uses an anodized aluminum pickguard on the American Deluxe PBass (albeit a godawful gold color).

 

[Jet-Jaguar]

I've heard of problems with metal pickguards and a Sustainiac, but I think that's a special case.