Garrett's Cheapskate Mod Shop: If You Love Some One, Part II

[garrett]

The new pick guard - pearloid or mirrored?

Nah, that costs money. I'm gonna whack new holes in this one and fill the old hole.

 

[bodia]

I love this thread!

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Well done, considering no router! I wouldn’t have attempted it without one and a template . So hats off to you!

 

[garrett]

Well done, considering no router! I wouldn’t have attempted it without one and a template . So hats off to you!

If any real precision was needed, I wouldn't have attempted it either! The pickguard allows a considerable margin of error.

 

[garrett]

Despite my questionable routing method, I do actually have some sense. Since I'm trying to be cheap here and reuse the pickguard, I needed to take my time and get the alignment and execution of the holes right.

I captured the outer edges of the rout and transferred the lines to the pickguard.

Not exactly CNC design here, but needed to achieve something resembling precision.

With something light like a pickguard, it must be secured or it will go flying under the torque of the drill. A big piece of MDF works well.

Marked the centers with a hammer and nail to keep the drill from skating. Also, I started with a small pilot hole and went bigger from there. It's a lot easier to control a smaller bit.

Close enough.

Moment of truth. I applied my time tested approach of measure a bunch of times and hope I don't mess up the execution. Success!

Now we're talking. This is how I think these ought to come from the factory.

Still to go: plugging the guard, wiring, and installing my secret weapon...

 

[veinbuster]

You done good.

 

[Rusty Chops]

...installing my secret weapon...

It shoots hecklers?

I’ll take three!

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Aww yeah!!!

 

[bodia]

Nice job! I approve of your cheapness!

I wonder how a Paul's pick up would sound in there??????

 

[garrett]

Nice job! I approve of your cheapness!

I wonder how a Paul's pick up would sound in there??????

I've been wondering the same thing.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Great work garrett! Looking so sharp.

 

[bodia]

I've been wondering the same thing.

A mini toggle should get it done! Just cuz it would look cooler than a push/pull

 

[garrett]

A mini toggle should get it done! Just cuz it would look cooler than a push/pull

I almost grabbed one along with some other stuff I bought, just in case. Now I'm kind of kicking myself for not doing it. I might be able to fit one in the original volume pot hole.

Oh well, I have a push/pull on the way. Which I'm also kicking myself for, because I forgot I already have one on hand that I pulled out of my 7-string. Could've saved myself $7.49!

 

[bodia]

I almost grabbed one along with some other stuff I bought, just in case. Now I'm kind of kicking myself for not doing it. I might be able to fit one in the original volume pot hole.

Oh well, I have a push/pull on the way. Which I'm also kicking myself for, because I forgot I already have one on hand that I pulled out of my 7-string. Could've saved myself $7.49!

Post Holiday weekend brain cramps!

 

[garrett]

Post Holiday weekend brain cramps!

More like too many random parts stashed away. Oh well, I'm trying a Bourns brand push/pull pot for the first time. They're supposed to be really good.

 

[toothace]

Sweet project!!

 

[garrett]

So I did this:


Black plastic 3/8" plugs. 2 for $1.12 at Lowes. Doesn't look too bad.

Fresh shielding. For some reason, a previous owner had stuck copper across the entire guard, which is funny because the original routing only takes up like a quarter of the real estate. I had to peel and scrape it off, hence the remaining funkiness.

Did somebody say Paul's pickup?

 

[Boogie]

So I did this:

Did somebody say Paul's pickup?

Hell yes!!! Bada$$ed ^10

 

[bodia]

Did somebody say Paul's pickup?

AWESOME! Glad to see it getting some use. I was almost feeling guilty......almost.

 

[Big Mike]

Fun stuff. Big fan of using the furniture plugs for pot holes.
Been doing it on strats for years.