• From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Topic: Issue with SG pickguard

I am a proud owner of a SG Standard, however I'm not 100% happy with the sound and I've got a theory why but I wanted to see if this just seems totally nuts to you guys.  On the Standard its a 1 piece pickguard that the pickups mount directly to the pickguard.  On the 61 reissues I've noticed that the pickups are mounted with pickup rings just like a Les Paul. 

When I have my guitar out and try to adjust it I notice the pickups in relation to the strings sit at an angle so the top coil on both humbuckers is closer to the strings then the back coil that is closer to the bridge.  Its like the pickups sit at an 30º angle. the 61 reissue doens't do that.  Its even with the strings.  I want to convert my guitar does that seem dumb?

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Issue with SG pickguard

you can cut some thick rings thin and on an angle and put that over the top of the pickguard to keep the pickguard original. I wouldn't cut the pickguard so rings would fit inside it.

I know what you're saying though!
just make sure the bridge pickup ring is thicker and the neck one is thinner. I have two thin ones on my 79 explorer, and teh bridge pickup is sticking out super-far. hmm easy fix, but i'm lazy on that issue.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Issue with SG pickguard

If I did it I was thinking of just buying a new pickguard in case I screw it up.  The big thing even if I do it like your saying to do it is I need to mount the rings to wood, and I also would need to elongate the holes to the original pickguard to make sure the screw hole isn't putting the adjustment screw in a bind.  I was also thinking instead of black going for turtle shell like some of the old Les paul jrs used to have.  If I do one I'm going to cut an entire pickguard from scratch.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Issue with SG pickguard

Yikes. you might want to try screwing the humbuckers into the body, like Eddie VanHalen does on his guitars.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Issue with SG pickguard

Nah I've got access to a machine shop at work I can do all this work on lunch breaks as long as the mill isn't tied up.

AD3THREE's Website