Custom pickguard for Dinkycaster

[aarontunes]

I don't want to totally hijack @sdeeg 's build thread, so I am starting a new thread specifically about the custom Dinkycaster pickguard. @sdeeg originally posted these two drawings:



I loved the second one so much that I did this mockup in PS:



@sdeeg and I have talked a bit behind the scenes about his plans to cut it himself, and perhaps cut me one too. I'm not sure I have the skills/tools to do a good job cutting it myself, especially that long curve on the top horn. If it's wavy at all and not a perfect curve it will drive me nuts. So in the meantime I've been looking for a company that specializes in cutting one-off custom pickguards. I've contacted about six companies now, and not one will get back to me. The search continues.

In the meantime, here's what I've done: there is a downloadable PDF on all Warmoth's pickguard pages, so people can check fitment before ordering. The Dinkycaster PDF is done with three single coils, but because I have the sweet connections I was able to get a version of the diagram with two P90's.

I threw it in Illustrator and did a first draft of the custom pickguard shape, then cut everything out to check fit. I can confirm that the location of the top rout P90 in the pickguard diagram matches the location of the rear rout p90 exactly:



The next step is to rework that top horn shape just a bit. The first draft comes too close to the edge of the body, and is maybe a little too long. So I'm gonna rework the shape until I've got it just right.

In the meantime I will keep working on how to get the thing actually cut. @sdeeg is working on some options for that as well.

Onward!

 

[supertruper1988]

Thats looking awesome. I have done this kind of thing before so make sure you know exactly which version of the file format the pickguard maker uses. Some of the cutting machines dont handle splines from illustrator even when converted to dxf. If you run into any issues, I can definitely help out.

 

[ghostrider]

I got a custom pickguard shape cut by Greasy Groove about 13 years ago. I tried contacting them about doing another custom cut a few times about 10 years ago, but never heard back.

You could try contacting them and maybe you have better luck. If not, your follow up email could open with, "Don't you know who I am?!" That should close the deal.

 

[sdeeg]

I don't have the Illustrator skills to do that part. I was going to create a paper cutout then make a template by just sanding/filing the shape. A digital shape would be awesome though as I know someone with a laser cutter and I can get her to cut me the template so I can route it from there. I'm seeing this as a two step process; a first pass to cut the shape with a bevel then another to cut the square edges (neck pocket, lower pickup cutout, and neck pickup).

@aarontunes I know you're a visual person, and you definitely have the skills (and motivation) to create the basic shape as a digital artifact. Given a 2 step process it may be useful to envision it as a complete shape first (which becomes the first template), then work on a version with the cutout for the bridge pickup, etc.. Thoughts?

If we get this all together I'll do a run of them (I want at least 3 as I have different setups I want to experiment with) and anyone who wants to jump in can. (And if there's enough interest maybe our good friends at W will adopt the shape as an orderable option?? )

 

[supertruper1988]

Having made pickguards a plenty, I think that the best approach is straight cut the outline, bevel the areas needed and then cutout/drill other features.

 

[Rick]

I'd like something like this, and then you can rout out the wood and have easy access to the wiring, not that going in from the back is bad.

 

[aarontunes]

I don't have the Illustrator skills to do that part. I was going to create a paper cutout then make a template by just sanding/filing the shape. A digital shape would be awesome though as I know someone with a laser cutter and I can get her to cut me the template so I can route it from there. I'm seeing this as a two step process; a first pass to cut the shape with a bevel then another to cut the square edges (neck pocket, lower pickup cutout, and neck pickup).

@aarontunes I know you're a visual person, and you definitely have the skills (and motivation) to create the basic shape as a digital artifact. Given a 2 step process it may be useful to envision it as a complete shape first (which becomes the first template), then work on a version with the cutout for the bridge pickup, etc.. Thoughts?

If we get this all together I'll do a run of them (I want at least 3 as I have different setups I want to experiment with) and anyone who wants to jump in can. (And if there's enough interest maybe our good friends at W will adopt the shape as an orderable option?? )

I'm going through a few more iterations of the perimeter shape until I feel it's just right. I'll post them here as they get done.

Once it's perfect I'll send you a PDF with the final shape.

 

[aarontunes]

Proto #2. Still not there yet, but dialing it in:

 

[sdeeg]

I'm going through a few more iterations of the perimeter shape until I feel it's just right. I'll post them here as they get done.

Once it's perfect I'll send you a PDF with the final shape.

I'm finding out what they laser cutter needs. It may be an Illustrator file. Should find out later today.

 

[TBurst Std]

I posted in the other thread. Try Pickguardian. He gets back to me within 24 hours. The latest thing I had them make was an angled switch Tele control panel and Tele pick guard both out of clear and back painted gold Ala a Gretsch pick guard.

 

[aarontunes]

I posted in the other thread. Try Pickguardian. He gets back to me within 24 hours. The latest thing I had them make was an angled switch Tele control panel and Tele pick guard both out of clear and back painted gold Ala a Gretsch pick guard.

Just reached out, thanks!

 

[aarontunes]

Proto #3.

 

[sdeeg]

Looks amazing! Let me know if you hear from pickguardian. Otherwise we can move forward with me getting a template cut. If pickguardian can do it, I'll take 3.

 

[TBurst Std]

Just reached out, thanks!

Tony Dudzik should reply. He’s always been good for me.