Custom Made Scratch Plates/Pickguards

GRBaldwin · September 2022

Hi there,

I was just wondering whether anyone knew of a place where I could get some nice celluloid tortoiseshell style with bevel scratch plates made for a couple of custom acoustic guitars I'm having made?

It seems they're like rocking horse shit in this country to get that decent Tor-tis style quality for dreadnought/OM type guitars. Atkin used to make custom ones for not too crazy money, but I emailed them and rudely they never replied and that link is no longer showing up on their site, so I gave up as presumed they'd stopped offering them.

Thanks in advance for any options.

Graeme

bertie · September 2022

you could try Tom at Waghornguitars@gmail.com

GRBaldwin · September 2022

bertie said:

you could try Tom at Waghornguitars@gmail.com

Thanks @bertie . Will drop them an email.

Mellish · September 2022

KGB of Birkenhead is another source.

TheMadMick · September 2022

If you are having a custom guitar made, why can you not specify to your supplier what you want? Then it's no longer your problem only a matter of cost.

Coldfingers · September 2022

Try Holter Pickguards, it's only a FB link, no website: https://www.facebook.com/holterpickguards

I've no experience, but stumbled across this video the other day:

GRBaldwin · September 2022

TheMadMick said:

If you are having a custom guitar made, why can you not specify to your supplier what you want? Then it's no longer your problem only a matter of cost.

I would do that, but the scratchplates they have in stock I'm not a huge fan of due to the quality, so I'm investigating other means.

GRBaldwin · September 2022

Mellish said:

KGB of Birkenhead is another source.

Thanks @Mellish, will give them a shout too.

GRBaldwin · September 2022

Coldfingers said:

Try Holter Pickguards, it's only a FB link, no website: https://www.facebook.com/holterpickguards

I've no experience, but stumbled across this video the other day:

Amazing! They seem decent enough. Thanks for that @Coldfingers ;

thermionic · September 2022

I’ve been looking for one for my Loar, and that reminds me that I should investigate these in more detail: https://www.jp-guitars.co.uk/sales/parts_and_spares/pickguards/pickguards.htm

TDubs · September 2022

Try Tinytone,. They were great for me

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/230733/greetings-from-tinytone-scratchplates-wiring-and-pedals-handmade-in-manchester#latest

Gandalph · September 2022

I can certainly vouch for Holter pickguards.
I had a custom tigerstripe made for my all hog Waterloo. Really nice guy and top quality work. All in it cost me around £75 inc. shipping, etc.
Whole process took about 3 weeks from me contacting him to sticking it on.

GRBaldwin · September 2022

TDubs said:

Try Tinytone,. They were great for me

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/230733/greetings-from-tinytone-scratchplates-wiring-and-pedals-handmade-in-manchester#latest

Thanks @TDubs will drop them an email. Would be easier to deal with someone in the UK.

Cheers!

JonnyBgoode · September 2022

I had a nice pickguard/scratchpatch custom made out of wood by Mansons guitars, I was really pleased with it. Bevelled edges, fitted around the rosette, etc Not quite what you're after, but worth seeing if they can work with plastics also.

Warblington · September 2022

Try calling Alister at Atkin guitars. By his own admission they’re not great at responding to emails. He’s a very helpful guy in my experience , I’m sure he’ll point you in the right direction.

GRBaldwin · September 2022

Warblington said:

Try calling Alister at Atkin guitars. By his own admission they’re not great at responding to emails. He’s a very helpful guy in my experience , I’m sure he’ll point you in the right direction.

Thanks @Warblington I just presumed they'd stopped doing these things. Will give them a shout as they looked decent quality and quite reasonable for a celluloid one.

Warblington · September 2022

GRBaldwin said:

Warblington said:

Try calling Alister at Atkin guitars. By his own admission they’re not great at responding to emails. He’s a very helpful guy in my experience , I’m sure he’ll point you in the right direction.

Thanks @Warblington I just presumed they'd stopped doing these things. Will give them a shout as they looked decent quality and quite reasonable for a celluloid one.

Good luck, I hope you get things sorted.

blueskiwi · September 2022

Anyone with experience of replacing the pickguard on their acoustic - what is the process like?

Any special advice or techniques needed for removing the old one?

I have an early 2000s Martin that has a cheap-looking screenprinted tortoise pickguard, but I'd hate to damage the finish on the top while attempting an unnecessary cosmetic upgrade...

Warblington · September 2022

blueskiwi said:

Anyone with experience of replacing the pickguard on their acoustic - what is the process like?

Any special advice or techniques needed for removing the old one?

I have an early 2000s Martin that has a cheap-looking screenprinted tortoise pickguard, but I'd hate to damage the finish on the top while attempting an unnecessary cosmetic upgrade...

There’s some good advice about this on the Stewmac website.

Gandalph · September 2022

blueskiwi said:

Anyone with experience of replacing the pickguard on their acoustic - what is the process like?

Any special advice or techniques needed for removing the old one?

I have an early 2000s Martin that has a cheap-looking screenprinted tortoise pickguard, but I'd hate to damage the finish on the top while attempting an unnecessary cosmetic upgrade...

Hairdryer - take it slowly, medium heat, get one of the corners up first then use a credit card or such like to lift it up as you go. I used lighter fluid to clean off the residual glue.

You might be left with a shadow where the old one was but if you're replacing it that doesn't matter.

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Custom Made Scratch Plates/Pickguards

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