Who makes a high quality L-5 pickguard (no cutouts)

[jzucker]

I bought one last year from allsound and the binding was cheap and not flush with the top of the plastic.

EDIT - I bought the Allparts pickguard.

[GuyBoden]

Archtop.com "Gibson style hand bound brown swirl tortoise guard with 5-ply binding.Suitable for all 17" and 18" noncutaway models including L-5, L-7, L-10, L-12, and Super 400 models. (May also fit 16" models including L-4, L-48 and L-50 models as well.) Length of inside (straight) edge: 10" $149."




ac accessories

[jzucker]

The geometry is off on that pickguard. It's not quite right. That's more like the L7 or non-cutaway L5 pickguard.

I'm leaning toward the allparts one.

Archtop.com "Gibson style hand bound brown swirl tortoise guard with 5-ply binding.Suitable for all 17" and 18" noncutaway models including L-5, L-7, L-10, L-12, and Super 400 models. (May also fit 16" models including L-4, L-48 and L-50 models as well.) Length of inside (straight) edge: 10" $149."




ac accessories

[deacon Mark]

All Parts seems like it would be fine. I used to make them but no way I can make them that cheap. If I needed one, I would buy one myself. Making money on pickguards only happens on rare and unusual pickguards. I have seen a number on ebay to but probably hit and miss on the quality although for me it might be fine. My major complaint is I like the pickguard to be a bit thicker and stiff. This make is better for playing and possible the only reason to make my one.

[mfrue]

Hello,

Fox Guitars. (fox-guitars.com) They are quite expensive, but best quality. I ordered one for my `67 ES-355 (the original one disintegrates) and one for my '71 Super 400 (the original got lost). The result is very pleasing...





Best wishes,
Martin

[RJVB]

I'm leaning toward the allparts one.

Got a local luthier who's handy with veneers and has some nice stock? Trace the outline, make a cardboard version to scale that's exactly how you'd like it, and then have him make a 2 or 3 ply version of the woods of your choice.
Shouldn't cost more than the prices I saw cited above and you'll have something unique and personal.

[GuyBoden]

The geometry is off on that pickguard. It's not quite right. That's more like the L7 or non-cutaway L5 pickguard.

I like 5 ply binding pickguards.

Archtop.com also have this:

"Cutaway Gibson style hand bound brown swirl tortoise guard with 5-ply binding. For all cutaway L-4, L-5, L-7, L-12, Johnny Smith, LeGrande, and Super 400 guitars. Length of inside (straight) edge: 8", Width at outermost breadth: 3 3/4". $149"

ac accessories

[garybaldy]

Nick Bachman 1929 pickguards

[icr]

Anyone that works on archtops should be able to make one exactly as you want it. I made one for my L5 copy and it was not that hard.

[ARGewirtz]

You might want to check out Tiny Tone in the UK. I was looking for a new pickguard for my '78 Ibanez 2630 but it was impossible to find an off-the-shelf model that fit the guitar so I did a bit of searching and found this small UK shop, based in Manchester, that makes custom pick guards, custom wiring and pedals. A little pricey but worth it.

For those who might wonder if the pickguard shown in the picture I’ve included in my post, which has that really great flame, is the same as the one on the guitar, the answer is “yes, they are the same.”






Home - TinyTone

[jzucker]

Anyone that works on archtops should be able to make one exactly as you want it. I made one for my L5 copy and it was not that hard.

of course my luthier can make one but making the 5 ply binding was expensive. I think he wanted $250-$300 . I bought the allparts one...

[Hammertone]

I thought that the L-5 pickguards sold by archtop.com are from allparts, or their supplier.

[gitman]

Then there is this fellow in Spain :

Golpeadores personalizados y reproducciones de Gibson vintage en Lugo | Guitarristas

[David B]

A friend in NYC has just two had two pick guards made for his vintage L5s by 1929 Pickguards and is very pleased with them.

Félix Lemerle | My 1938 Gibson L-5 and my 1957 Gibson L-5CES now both sport new acrylic @1929pickguards made by Nick Bachman!

#gibsonl5 #gibsonl5ces... | Instagram

[powerwagonjohn]

I had a guy at 1929 Pickguards make one for my 1950 Epiphone Triumph that I am very happy with.
Thanks John

[olejason]

The 1929 Pickguards guy does good work. You might see if Stringphonic would sell you just the pickguard as well. As far as I'm aware all of the geometry/hardware on the Lang models should be accurate to the L-5. Mine has a cutout for the CC but they make acoustic models like this. The guard is a really dark tortoise despite it looking black in the photo.