Pick Guard Kit by Steve Smith

[pickinNgrinnin]

My Bill Davis F5 has a Tortoise Pickguard that Steve made and it looks great. I had been looking around for some Ebony to take a stab at making a PG for an A9. Steve responded to my post and told me he had a supply of Ebony. We began to discuss the project and eventually worked out a deal where Steve would cut out the PG, acrylic back support and Ebony end strip. He put this kit together and shipped it off with a couple of mounting nails.

Here is what it looked like when I received it:

[Dfyngravity]

Isn't it amazing how great people can be. Sometimes you get more than you are asking for.

Great looking PG there. Be sure to post some picks once it is installed.

[pickinNgrinnin]

When I received the kit, I took a palm sander to the PG to sand it smooth, followed by some 180 then 220 sandpaper and then some fine steel wool. Finished out very smooth. I don't have a shop or a bench so everything I did, I had to improvise. Once all the parts were glued together, I had to drill some holes in the PG. Here is my PG vise http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[pickinNgrinnin]

Once the holes were drilled, I glued the mounting nails in the PG:

[pickinNgrinnin]

The next step made me a bit nervous - drilling the PG mounting holes in the side of the fretboard. I had to improvise another rig to hold the mando in place while drilling. Here's a shot:

You builders out there must be rolling your eyes!

[pickinNgrinnin]

The 1/16" drill bit made for tight fitting holes. I didn't find a need to glue in the PG. Here is how it turned out:

[pickinNgrinnin]

I love how the Ebony looks with the color of the A9's top. The PG is very solid and shows very little flexing. The reinforcing strips on the underside really do the job.

It took me a few hours do complete the job and I went about it at a slow pace as I didn't want to blow this. Steve gave me excellent instructions and was really great to work with. I was looking to save some $$ on a PG and to try doing part of the job myself. This was the perfect arrangement. Hats off to Steve Smith of Cumberland Acoustic for his willingness to assist with this project. A great guy producing great products and customer service. This is probably the only Pickguard Kit out there today!

[ShaneJ]

That looks great! Good job!

[pickinNgrinnin]

Here's another shot:

[stevem]

That pickguard really looks good. Great job.

Some things I noticed looking at the pics: 1)You're missing a grommit. 2)No tailpiece cover? 3)What's that dark black line on the inside label? 4)Cool way to hang your strap on an A--never seen that before. 5)What's the skinny on that skinny strap? Never seen that before either.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[pickinNgrinnin]

1. Yep, a grommet is currently missing in action.
2. Took it off as it was buzzing. Will get it back on
3. Black line is from Paintshop. I wanted to black out the serial number before posting pictures.
4. Yea it works great and no strap button required!
5. Rawhide bootlace - $1.00. Pretty cheap strap http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Steve can make an Ebony Pickguard for your F9. It would look great!

[acousticphd]

You builders out there must be rolling your eyes!


I'm not a builder, but I am impressed by your makeshift vise and clamps. #And no matter if you slipped and scratched it anyway - it's "just" an A9. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[stevem]

Steve can make an Ebony Pickguard for your F9. It would look great!
I'm considering it, but I don't really need it. My picking never hits the top of the mando. I'm worried it would be in the way more than anything. But still, it does add a nice look and I'm the type of person who's vain enough to add stuff to my mando based on just looks. I got an armrest mostly for that reason!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[stevem]

Why did you black out the serial number on an A9, anyway?

Only 3 reasons I can think of for doing that:
1) It's an embarrassing number, like 666
2) You're worried about Big Brother tracking you down via your mandolin by pairing the SN with receipts at the old Gibson warehouse. (You're not involved in any sort of terrorist activities are you?)
3) You have one of those fake Ibanez A9 copies from the 70's and are worried all the pros here will be able to point your mando out for what it really is.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[pickinNgrinnin]

Hey Jeff-

Actually the A9 came out scratch/ding free from the "Mandovise." I was able to clamp it at the rim and it helps having a really large C clamp http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Stevem - my pick does not come anywere near the top but my pinkie and ring fingers tend to brush across the Mandolin's top. The PG was installed to primarily keep my two fingers off the top.

[pickinNgrinnin]

Stevem- I'm keeping the serial # away from all the Ebay scammers in the UK. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

Actually it is an 04

[Tom C]

That's one good reason.
Plus I reported that mando being stolen. So unless you have original receipt, can I have it back?
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Obviously the number does not mean much except for a way of labeling a specific instrument

[pickinNgrinnin]

OK...one w/o the blacked out serial #

BTW this A9 is a Banjo crusher http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[shawverscrossing]

I've never owned a mando with a pickgaurd, so I have some questions.

1)I don't anchor my hand like say Sam Bush with the pinky and ring finger on the top, so I've been told that a pickgaurd might help give me more stability. Does that seem right?

2)I play hard. I mean really hard. I have pick marks above and below the strings. Will I be catching the pick on the pick guard, or does it set low enough that i won't be bangin' on it?

3)Where to get one? I too am vain enough to do something to my axe just because it looks good. So where to get the best? I notice F5 builds one for 150 bones. Is that about right?

[stevem]

Check out some of the stores listed on the main page. All reputable. Several carry an assortment in varying prices. Elderly and Greg Boyd would be a good 1st look.

[pickinNgrinnin]

Steve Smith makes some very nice bound Pickguards too. See here: http://www.cumberlandacoustic.com/

PG's are usually set pretty level with the fretboard. Pickmarks above and below the strings? That's crazy!

NFI