custom pickguards?

[swarfrat]

Anyone have any experience with custom pickguard manufacturers? I hacked my GK-3 into a pickguard, but not totally happy with the results. I wasn't able to cut it leaving the 1/16" or so bridge remaining between the bridge humbucker and the new cutout for my GK-3 set into the pickguard - my crude attempts at fitting left it distorted and I just had to cut it out.

I'm going to treat this pickguard as a prototype. Already I think I want to move my S1/S2, Mix switches up into blank space on the pickguard away from the volume knob to not interfere with swells.  I need an 11 hole Strat HH pickguard, just with a custom (really custom) extra route.

 

[rgand]

Get one from Warmoth. If they don't have the right pickup routing, just get a single coil routing with no mounting holes and enlarge it to fit. If you want, just cut the hole yourself and be done with it. It's fairly easy with a Dremel and Swiss files.

 

[swarfrat]

GK3 pickgup is unlike any common pickup. Its only about 5/16" wide, and off center. The part i had trouble with doing myself was leaving less than 1/8" wide strip betweeen the bridge pickup hole and the GK hole. The plastic is flimsy when that thin, but its going to be an ugly gap the way i have it now.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

If you're dead set on doing it yourself, get a cheapo GFS pickguard, and make a routing template to test on it. 
Free-hand cutting a one-off is too risky in my opinion.
The template will ensure precision.

 

[Hbom]

You might try these guys. They made one for a Hamer for me last year.
http://www.terrapinguitars.com/
Another that I don't know much about but a friend has used them with success in the past.
http://www.pickguardian.com/
:rock-on:

 

[Tonar8352]

I used the pickguardian with success. He was very accommodating and timely.

 

[swarfrat]

This is pretty much what I need, and why "a la carte" picking traditional offerings won't work. Also why it's a difficult pickguard to cut with anything that imparts much force on the workpiece.

 

[pabloman]

Try Quick Guards. I would look for someone doing the VG strat guards and go from there. You could possibly mount the pickup the other way so your offset is to the left like the VG also. Maybe move the pickup right against the humbucker and eliminate the strip of pickguard material all together.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Ya might want to relocated the volume knob just a tad further away, as the flange of the knob may interfere with the GK pickup.

 

[swarfrat]

Hmm yeah,  Warmoth's position must be a little closer than my GFS pickguard. (At least in the builder). I've got gobs of space.  My 2 switches are in the tone 1 spot, they're a little crowded (against the volume knob, not each other).

I think making a template is the way to go. It's too tight to use my big router. I don't have a base for my dremel, but my HF laminate trimmer is probably the way to go. Guess I need another pick guard now.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Maybe one of these might help you make a template.
https://store.guitarvaultusa.com/product_p/6019w.htm