Gettin' a Spruce suntan

[jimmy buffett]

Can I ask where to pick up a clear pick guard? I'm not a huge fan of the tortoise shell.

I am currently building a custom guitar with Tony Karol in Mississauaga, Ontario, so when we removed the old pick guard, Tony just cut a new one from a large sheet of self adhesive (vinyl?) material that he uses on his guitars.  He just uses scissors to cut them from the sheet and puts them in place, and smooths out the surface to work out any bubbles that may be present. Round-out the corners with the scissors to make it a little more elegant and you're ready to attach the new guard. Before removing the peal-off backing, place the new guard in position, put some masking tape along the bottom edge to hold it in place, then peel-off the backing as you lay it down.  Nothing to it!!!

I don't know where you can purchase this material locally, but luthier supply houses like Stewart-MacDonald and such would likely have them.  Here's a link to their pick guard page, which does feature a clear guard, or maybe a local guitar tech or custom shop could help.  http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardware,_parts/Acoustic_guitar:_Pickguards/1/Acoustic_Pickguards/Pictures.html#details

Any suggestions here, unclrob???  I see that the Larrivee Wearables site offers the tortoise shell guards, but no clear ones.  Perhaps Larrivee in Vancouver would send one out, since they still use the clear guards on their 03 models.  I'd suggest e-mailing Brian Trepanier in B.C..

When we cut the pattern for the L09, we modelled it after the clear pick guards that Larrivee uses on their 03s, which is more rectangular than the tear-drop pattern of the tortoise shells.  If your cutting your own, the L05 and L09s have a 4" radius along the curve that follows the rosette.  Just trace it out with the appropriate sized soup can or something.

For those who may not wish to attempt this on their own, I'm sure that a local tech would do this for a reasonable fee.  It only takes about 15 minutes.

Anyway, my Karol Signature model is constructed from quilted bubinga (back and side panels) and a master grade lutz (spruce) top. I have the back panel attached to the sides and will be gluing the top on Monday.  The 3 piece mahogany neck is now glued in rough form, and I will be shaping the neck once the binding has been attached.

This guitar was started in mid January, and it's finally starting to take shape.  As I like to say, "turning trees into guitars".  For anyone who is interested in building your own instrument, I highly recommend it.  It's an interesting process and you tend to meet some pretty interesting people. Some folks are back for their 2nd or 3rd guitar, and they will tell you that the one they built is their favourite.  Tony knows how to build 'em and they not only sound great, but are true works of art.  He knows his stuff and at the end of the process, you know a lot more about guitars and what makes them tick.  And every detail from the wood selection, body style, decorative features and such, are all specified by you!

I'll post pictures when I get off my duff, but in the meantime, take a look at his web site:

http://www.karol-guitars.com/home.html

Cheers...

jimmy




 

[Dale_I]

Jimmy --   
Thanks a bunch . Just what I was looking for. I shot an email over to Brian, as you suggested, and will wait to hear back from him. However, the supply site you linked to also had an excellent option.

Looking through the building site you linked to is also very interesting. No way I have the time right now. But, knowing that with some guidance, patience, and a knowledgable mentor, you could build a guitar makes me think that retirement may not be all that bad. If I ever get to retire...

[jimmy buffett]

Jimmy --   
Thanks a bunch . Just what I was looking for. I shot an email over to Brian, as you suggested, and will wait to hear back from him. However, the supply site you linked to also had an excellent option.

Looking through the building site you linked to is also very interesting. No way I have the time right now. But, knowing that with some guidance, patience, and a knowledgable mentor, you could build a guitar makes me think that retirement may not be all that bad. If I ever get to retire...

Yes, Dale, definitely something to look forward to.  One night a week, and always learning something, not to mention creating an instrument that will be very personal.

As for the StewMac clear pick guard, since they only have one model indicated on their web page, it would be good to know if the radius on that model matches the radius on your Larry.  I think you will find that typically, they have a 4" radius at the soundhole, and at that price there's nothing to lose...

jimmy