How To Install A Pickguard On A Les Paul

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Pickguard fitting

• Thread starter Wmacky
• Start engagement Jul 26, 2022

• #1

Joined

Jul 26, 2022

Messages

three

Just picked upwardly a beautiful used Les Paul with a + top. The pickguard came uninstalled, simply I would similar to install information technology equally I similar the look!. The fit was tight betwixt the pickups, merely a little sanding / filing and that fits is at present skilful. However the fit is poor where the top of the guard touches the cervix. The guard does non reach the cervix, leaving a sliver of a 1/6th" gap! Pics suggest that although other guitars have this gap, virtually don't!

I figured the pickups were mounted slightly off center, and nothing could be easliy done. But, I got curious and used a caliper to measure out the centering of the neck pickup surround. It appears pretty much dead on???????

And so why doesn't the guard residual against the neck? This is a 2006 model. Could the baby-sit take shrung over that time? These are injection modeled, so I can't imagine an original size error with the guard.

Now, this is very impotant to me beacuse I have yet to drill the hole into that beautiful superlative, so it has to be in the right identify! If the hole is off on this baby-sit and so a hereafter baby-sit replacement could hateful the pigsty won't line upwardly. in other words I want to hole in the "standard correct" position. Should I try some other stock Gibson PG? A creamtone? Something else?

How would you proceed? And no, I don't want to get out information technology off!

• #2

Joined

Jun 21, 2022

Letters

21

Merely picked upward a cute used Les Paul with a + top. The pickguard came uninstalled, merely I would similar to install it as I like the look!. The fit was tight between the pickups, but a fiddling sanding / filing and that fits is now adept. Still the fit is poor where the peak of the guard touches the cervix. The guard does not accomplish the cervix, leaving a sliver of a i/6th" gap! Pics suggest that although other guitars take this gap, most don't!

I figured the pickups were mounted slightly off center, and nada could exist easliy washed. But, I got curious and used a caliper to measure out the centering of the cervix pickup surround. Information technology appears pretty much dead on???????

So why doesn't the guard rest confronting the neck? This is a 2006 model. Could the guard take shrung over that time? These are injection modeled, so I can't imagine an original size error with the guard.

Now, this is very impotant to me beacuse I take yet to drill the hole into that beautiful top, so information technology has to exist in the right place! If the pigsty is off on this guard so a future guard replacement could hateful the pigsty won't line up. in other words I desire to pigsty in the "standard correct" position. Should I endeavour another stock Gibson PG? A creamtone? Something else?

How would you proceed? And no, I don't want to leave information technology off!

seems similar its not a genuine Gibson pickguard equally it should fit pretty much spot on , if your not sure id take information technology to your nearest Gibson dealer and allow them suggest you lot further

• #3

Joined

Jun 20, 2022

Messages

187

You will need to do more plumbing equipment confronting the pickup rings. Are You certain that You didn't somehow terminate up with an Epiphone PICKGUARD?
Practice Not drill the hole past the neck until it fits, and actually, I wouldn't even drill that pigsty if information technology were mine with a nice elevation. Get alee and remove material where the Pickguard is contacting the sides of the pickup rings. That will let the top part to motion closer to the neck.
If I was doing it, I would prune and file the screw up by the neck, and super glue it to the pickguard so that the screw covers the pigsty, but doesn't contact or scratch the top. Then I would use double stick record to fasten information technology up past the neck.
I do the same thing on the metal subclass where it contacts the side. Why drill a hole if You don't have to?
also, Where the nut connects to the commodities on the pickguard, tighten the nut and file abroad any part of the bolt that protrudes through the nut. You lot tin can even file a away part of the nut if You want. And then, put something over the nut to pad it so that it doesn't scratch the top. Some guys gum a felt washer over the nut.
So, when I connect the bracket to the side, Once again, I clip and file down the screw and so that information technology fits correctly in the pigsty in the bracket, but doesn't contact the wood or binding. Then super glue the slice of the screw to the subclass. I then use double stick tape to adhere the bracket to the side. If You identify the screw centered on the side of the bounden instead of in the wood, it volition assistance to elevate the nut away from the top of Your guitar. Over time, even a felt washer will scuff the lacquer.
It takes me a piddling work, but personally, I don't put holes in my Plus Summit, or even in the Bounden if I don't accept to. There are thousands of Les Pauls out in that location with a divot where the nut grinds into the top. I'm trying to help You and then that Your guitar is not one of them.
With some time and care, Your pickguard volition look exactly like everyone else's, only Your guitar won't have any holes in it, and You will still get all of the benefits and the Await of a pickguard on Your Les Paul.
Also, I just apply 3M Doublestick Tape, because it holds forever, and Y'all tin can remove it with lighter fluid, or Naptha, and information technology won't hurt Your lacquer in the least. I hope that I didn't confuse You. I'yard just trying to help You go along Your Top and the side of Your guitar in brand new condition. Some folks call the holes and the nut divot MOJO. I phone call them completely unnecessary.

Final edited: Jul 31, 2022

• #4

Joined

Dec 14, 2001

Messages

370

Are y'all sure the pickup rings are original? maybe the rings are too wide.

Bring the option guard to the guitar shop and compare it to selection guards already mounted on the Les Paul on the wall. That should tell you whether it's the pick guard or the guitar.

• #5

Joined

Apr 23, 2022

Messages

1,131

Just picked up a beautiful used Les Paul with a + top. The pickguard came uninstalled, simply I would like to install it as I like the look!. The fit was tight between the pickups, simply a piddling sanding / filing and that fits is at present good. However the fit is poor where the acme of the guard touches the neck. The guard does not reach the neck, leaving a sliver of a 1/6th" gap! Pics suggest that although other guitars have this gap, near don't!

I figured the pickups were mounted slightly off center, and nothing could be easliy done. But, I got curious and used a caliper to measure out the centering of the neck pickup environment. It appears pretty much dead on???????

So why doesn't the guard rest against the neck? This is a 2006 model. Could the guard accept shrung over that time? These are injection modeled, so I tin't imagine an original size fault with the guard.

Now, this is very impotant to me beacuse I have withal to drill the hole into that cute superlative, and then it has to be in the right place! If the hole is off on this baby-sit then a futurity baby-sit replacement could hateful the pigsty won't line upward. in other words I want to hole in the "standard correct" position. Should I try some other stock Gibson PG? A creamtone? Something else?

How would you lot continue? And no, I don't want to leave it off!

Have y'all looked into the Bobby Lee Signature pickgaurd ? :yah

• #6

Joined

Jun 20, 2022

Messages

187

DEFINITELY get the Bobby Lee guard before You put holes in that dazzler! Gibson is still in the Dark Ages.
They installed pickguard'southward on ALL OF THE Peace Models. They must accept thought that Nosotros were all as well stoned to install them. And then, they installed them incorrectly, and then that the nut on the bottom of the metal subclass rubbed a nice hole in the lacquer. They said that they will correct their screw up for $175, if it hasn't worn into the stain.
I encounter no reason to be installing a lightweight plastic pickguard with screws. You can fifty-fifty install a Bigsby Tremolo with no drilling. In that location must accept been some killer White Lightning in Nashville while they fabricated the Peace Models.

• #7

Joined

Dec 14, 2001

Letters

370

I installed pick guards onto my two LP Standards myself. Information technology'due south not that difficult if y'all know how to work a drill and know things like e'er make a airplane pilot hole, etc..

But with that said I wouldn't desire to do it again..

• #8

Joined

Mar 15, 2022

Letters

23

Compare information technology to another pick guard. Easy solution, right?

• #9

Joined

Jun 20, 2022

Messages

187

There is nada difficult about drilling holes. I fitted custom hardware to custom doors for years. I'm only saying, why put holes in a work of art if You dOn't accept to?

• #10

Joined

Apr 1, 2004

Messages

137

I have a 2002 les paul standard with the same trouble, I take a i/xvi inch gap where the pick guard meets the cervix. Yes I take the "Gibson Pure Bench Tested. Builder Approved" pick guard and it doesn't fit right. The one that came new with it in the case had the aforementioned trouble. I called Gibson around 2005 and they sent me a new pick guard, same problem. I ordered a new 1 this yr thinking maybe they make them right now. Only, no same problem. I like my les paul, just wish Gibson could brand a choice baby-sit that fits my 2002 les paul standard. I bought his guitar new and it is all orignal.

• #11

Joined

Apr 24, 2002

Letters

14,294

Get-go you accept too losen the nut on the subclass so that you tin can fit the pickguard and drill for screw on height. Then adjust the metal bracket and mount to the rim near binding edge. Exist aware that non all Gibson pickguards volition fit all models or years equally there have been changes. This might be better addressed in the Specialty surface area.

• #12

Joined

May 2, 2002

Messages

640

My 2001 LP standard came with no pick guard from GC and so they installed one. There'south a slight gap between the guard and the bridge pickup ring. Don't know if they used a Gibson or not merely I never noticed it until I got another LP 12 years later. I approximate I tin can live with it.

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