SG batwing pickguard conversion

[lazybones]

I have a current SG standard with the batwing pickguard. It is a shame
for all that nice wood to be covered by black plastic - has anyone
converted a large pickguard to a smaller one on a current SG?

I understand that the screw-holes on the top section will have to be
filled - I know holes in solid-color finishes can be filled and covered
with laquer sticks, but is that possible with a natural-burst finish?
I figure I'll have discontinuities in the wood-grain, but we are
talking about holes 1/4 of a cm - if the brown is matched well and the
finish is glossy, just how visible will those be?

The body between the two pickups is routed, so I'm looking for a
pickguard similar to the classic one
(Loading Image...), but with that center
tab longer to cover the hole. Alternatively, can you woodworker types
tell me whether it would be feasible to set a block of wood into that
channel and finish it to look OK with the classic-style small
pickguard? It would obviously be routed from underneath to allow the
pickup wires through.

Is this possible? Has anyone out there pulled this off?

thanks

[boardjunkie]

Post by lazybones
I have a current SG standard with the batwing pickguard. It is a shame
for all that nice wood to be covered by black plastic - has anyone
converted a large pickguard to a smaller one on a current SG?

You'd probably have to fill in the rout with new wood and have it re
routed and refinished. Expensive process and no guarantee it'll look
good with a translucent finish.

Here's an idea: Why not have a clear pickguard made for it?

http://www.pickguardian.com/pickguardian/
Try these guys.

[SpringDiver]

Post by boardjunkie

Post by lazybones
I have a current SG standard with the batwing pickguard. It is a shame
for all that nice wood to be covered by black plastic - has anyone
converted a large pickguard to a smaller one on a current SG?

You'd probably have to fill in the rout with new wood and have it re
routed and refinished. Expensive process and no guarantee it'll look
good with a translucent finish.
Here's an idea: Why not have a clear pickguard made for it?
http://www.pickguardian.com/pickguardian/
Try these guys.

Yep. All you got to do is send Tony your pickguard and he's make a
perfect reproduction. I've used him for my strat and tele. Great work.

Wayne

[Keith Adams]

The screw holes might be do able but as far as my pickiness goes I
could probably just live with them open. Filling a rout with a new
piece of wood is another matter. When you got done refinishing the
whole guitar it would probably still stick out like a sore thumb. If
the grain of the wood were to match identically you'd still have to
cut the plug in perfectly with absolutely no gap around its edges. Even
then you could probably see the outline of the plug. Filler isnt an
option with translucent finishes unless its just grain filler that
fills the woods pores.

"lazybones" <***@gmail.com> wrote in message news:***@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...

I have a current SG standard with the batwing pickguard. It is a shame
for all that nice wood to be covered by black plastic - has anyone
converted a large pickguard to a smaller one on a current SG?

I understand that the screw-holes on the top section will have to be
filled - I know holes in solid-color finishes can be filled and covered
with laquer sticks, but is that possible with a natural-burst finish?
I figure I'll have discontinuities in the wood-grain, but we are
talking about holes 1/4 of a cm - if the brown is matched well and the
finish is glossy, just how visible will those be?

The body between the two pickups is routed, so I'm looking for a
pickguard similar to the classic one
(http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/pickx31.jpg), but with that center
tab longer to cover the hole. Alternatively, can you woodworker types
tell me whether it would be feasible to set a block of wood into that
channel and finish it to look OK with the classic-style small
pickguard? It would obviously be routed from underneath to allow the
pickup wires through.

Is this possible? Has anyone out there pulled this off?

thanks

[RichCI]

Post by lazybones
I have a current SG standard with the batwing pickguard. It is a shame
for all that nice wood to be covered by black plastic - has anyone
converted a large pickguard to a smaller one on a current SG?
I understand that the screw-holes on the top section will have to be
filled - I know holes in solid-color finishes can be filled and covered
with laquer sticks, but is that possible with a natural-burst finish?
I figure I'll have discontinuities in the wood-grain, but we are
talking about holes 1/4 of a cm - if the brown is matched well and the
finish is glossy, just how visible will those be?
The body between the two pickups is routed, so I'm looking for a
pickguard similar to the classic one
(http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/pickx31.jpg), but with that center
tab longer to cover the hole. Alternatively, can you woodworker types
tell me whether it would be feasible to set a block of wood into that
channel and finish it to look OK with the classic-style small
pickguard? It would obviously be routed from underneath to allow the
pickup wires through.
Is this possible? Has anyone out there pulled this off?
thanks

I don't honestly know but, if it can be done reasonably well, I would
imagine that you'll pay a bit for someone to do a good job.

On a side note, here is something you might find intersting:

Rich Koerner vs The Pox SG:

Part 1
http://tinyurl.com/98oxm

Part 2
http://tinyurl.com/7warj

Part 3
http://tinyurl.com/adzou

[lazybones]

When I was googling for a good look at the SG body routing I found that
page - good work!

[Jim]

Post by lazybones
I have a current SG standard with the batwing pickguard. It is a shame
for all that nice wood to be covered by black plastic - has anyone
converted a large pickguard to a smaller one on a current SG?

I'm with you, I hate that batwing pickguard.

Mine came with the smaller vintage type, but I removed it from my
Epiphone G-400 to expose more of the beautiful korina:
Loading Image...

My plan is to replace the vintage pickguard with a CLEAR pickguard, and
a black smaller one that fits between neck and neck p'up (the stock
white doesn't match the black EMGs).

Post by lazybones
I understand that the screw-holes on the top section will have to be
filled - I know holes in solid-color finishes can be filled and covered
with laquer sticks, but is that possible with a natural-burst finish?
I figure I'll have discontinuities in the wood-grain, but we are
talking about holes 1/4 of a cm - if the brown is matched well and the
finish is glossy, just how visible will those be?

What about my idea of having one cut out of clear material?

Post by lazybones
The body between the two pickups is routed,

OUCH! That may nix the clear idea...

Post by lazybones
so I'm looking for a
pickguard similar to the classic one
(http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/pickx31.jpg), but with that center
tab longer to cover the hole. Alternatively, can you woodworker types
tell me whether it would be feasible to set a block of wood into that
channel and finish it to look OK with the classic-style small
pickguard? It would obviously be routed from underneath to allow the
pickup wires through.
Is this possible? Has anyone out there pulled this off?
thanks

[Smak!]

Post by lazybones
I have a current SG standard with the batwing pickguard. It is a shame
for all that nice wood to be covered by black plastic - has anyone
converted a large pickguard to a smaller one on a current SG?

Don't mess it up by changing the pick guard and filling the holes in the
body or whatever.. Sell your SG and buy one you like the looks of. I
happen to think they look cooler with the full pick guard.

Jeff