Trace 480 pickguard to create template
Moderator: jingle_jangle
Trace 480 pickguard to create template
Hello again Mark. Could you tell me what I would need to do to trace a pickguard template of my 480 for another Rick forum 480 owner who wants to restore his to original ? (see thread in Rickenbackers for Sale - 450 or 610 needed). I just had mine fret dressed and set-up and do not want to affect this. I'd like the easiest way to do this if there is one. Thanks in advance.
Remove your guard and all components.
Use a piece of printer paper ,something without lines.
Get a fine pointed pencil or pen ,hold the guard on the paper,DON'T let the guard slip.
Trace the interior of the pickup cavity as close to the edge as possible.Trace the exterior of the guard.Now here is the weird area.
The control layout is not the same for any of these guards ...it is aproxamite.These holes were drilled without the aid of a jig and both of you should be aware of that.
Trace out the holes and the controls.
Now lay this over your guard ,and trace the edge of the control cavity.You don't need the neck pickup area or the hogged out line going to it.This is just to show him/her what your cavity looked like and then it will give them a great way to relay out the knobs so that they are even.
Use the pots to layout the knobs .They are larger and they go into the cavity ...not the knobs.
Thats it .
To make it ,I use 3M contact Super 77 spray and glue it to the piece of Plexiglass that I will make it out of.Cut it out and you have a new guard.
One note here.....this template is only an exterior guide and pickup hole guide.
The new guard MUST use the hole pattern from the other guitar.To get that ,lay the tracing onto the other guitar and using a different writing tool (a blue pen or something that is dissimilar) draw out the screw hole placement.
Use a piece of printer paper ,something without lines.
Get a fine pointed pencil or pen ,hold the guard on the paper,DON'T let the guard slip.
Trace the interior of the pickup cavity as close to the edge as possible.Trace the exterior of the guard.Now here is the weird area.
The control layout is not the same for any of these guards ...it is aproxamite.These holes were drilled without the aid of a jig and both of you should be aware of that.
Trace out the holes and the controls.
Now lay this over your guard ,and trace the edge of the control cavity.You don't need the neck pickup area or the hogged out line going to it.This is just to show him/her what your cavity looked like and then it will give them a great way to relay out the knobs so that they are even.
Use the pots to layout the knobs .They are larger and they go into the cavity ...not the knobs.
Thats it .
To make it ,I use 3M contact Super 77 spray and glue it to the piece of Plexiglass that I will make it out of.Cut it out and you have a new guard.
One note here.....this template is only an exterior guide and pickup hole guide.
The new guard MUST use the hole pattern from the other guitar.To get that ,lay the tracing onto the other guitar and using a different writing tool (a blue pen or something that is dissimilar) draw out the screw hole placement.
So you too want yours "ALAPWOB"?!?!
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Chip_Ficyk
John and Mark,
Thank you both very much! Mark, if I understand you correctly, John only needs to trace the outer shape of the guard and the inner pick-up, but he should also trace where his control and screw holes are. I will then need to lay my guard over his tracing, and with a different color, trace my control and screw holes to get the best fit. Is this correct?
Also, I will be installing the high gain pickups with the "buttons". Can the buttons come off so that they might give the appearance of the '70's high gain pickups or are they the head the threaded post? If they do, how do the come off?
Again, thank you both very much for your assistance in my effort of saving this Rickenbacker!
Thank you both very much! Mark, if I understand you correctly, John only needs to trace the outer shape of the guard and the inner pick-up, but he should also trace where his control and screw holes are. I will then need to lay my guard over his tracing, and with a different color, trace my control and screw holes to get the best fit. Is this correct?
Also, I will be installing the high gain pickups with the "buttons". Can the buttons come off so that they might give the appearance of the '70's high gain pickups or are they the head the threaded post? If they do, how do the come off?
Again, thank you both very much for your assistance in my effort of saving this Rickenbacker!
-
Chip_Ficyk
John and Mark,
Thank you both very much! Mark, if I understand you correctly, John only needs to trace the outer shape of the guard and the inner pick-up, but he should also trace where his control and screw holes are. I will then need to lay my guard over his tracing, and with a different color, trace my control and screw holes to get the best fit. Is this correct?
Also, I will be installing the high gain pickups with the "buttons". Can the buttons come off so that they might give the appearance of the '70's high gain pickups or are they the head the threaded post? If they do, how do the come off?
Again, thank you both very much for your assistance in my effort of saving this Rickenbacker!
Thank you both very much! Mark, if I understand you correctly, John only needs to trace the outer shape of the guard and the inner pick-up, but he should also trace where his control and screw holes are. I will then need to lay my guard over his tracing, and with a different color, trace my control and screw holes to get the best fit. Is this correct?
Also, I will be installing the high gain pickups with the "buttons". Can the buttons come off so that they might give the appearance of the '70's high gain pickups or are they the head the threaded post? If they do, how do the come off?
Again, thank you both very much for your assistance in my effort of saving this Rickenbacker!