Archtop Pickguard with no drilling on the top?

[Woody Sound]

There's an angle to everything.

You are every bit correct.

[Woody Sound]

Fo starters, cover the entire surrounding surface.

Oherwise, you might end up having to chuck the whole thing.

[Adelafuente]

Hey Folks!

Again, thanks for all of your contributions to the thread. I'm finished working on it and I'm happy with the result.

I ended up using EZ LOK 400 M3 brass threaded inserts with its recommended drill bit 17/64 (8" long) and appropriate M3 machine screws; it was scary to do since I didn't expect to have to drill that big of a hole, but I went to every hardware store around and that was the best I could find. My only concern here is that I wasn't able to get the inserts all the way in, and the knife threads of the insert are midway cutting into the finish of the neck, but it does feel pretty solid.



I used a scrap piece of hardwood, sanded it, and added felt pads for any contact with the top; although it ended up having a good enough gap, so I don't think there will be any contact unless the system collapses.



I epoxied the block and the bracket with the guard and that was it. I did feel there was not enough support toward the bridge, so I added some stacked felt pads for extra support, as you can see in the attached images. Now, I wonder if that has a considerable negative effect on the acoustic projection of the instrument; I could not hear any. Again, thanks to all and I'll be glad to read your thoughts.

[garybaldy]

Hey Folks!

Again, thanks for all of your contributions to the thread. I'm finished working on it and I'm happy with the result.

I ended up using EZ LOK 400 M3 brass threaded inserts with its recommended drill bit 17/64 (8" long) and appropriate M3 machine screws; it was scary to do since I didn't expect to have to drill that big of a hole, but I went to every hardware store around and that was the best I could find. My only concern here is that I wasn't able to get the inserts all the way in, and the knife threads of the insert are midway cutting into the finish of the neck, but it does feel pretty solid.



I used a scrap piece of hardwood, sanded it, and added felt pads for any contact with the top; although it ended up having a good enough gap, so I don't think there will be any contact unless the system collapses.



I epoxied the block and the bracket with the guard and that was it. I did feel there was not enough support toward the bridge, so I added some stacked felt pads for extra support, as you can see in the attached images. Now, I wonder if that has a considerable negative effect on the acoustic projection of the instrument; I could not hear any. Again, thanks to all and I'll be glad to read your thoughts.

"Expletive", 17/64s is 6.7mm!

[Sleeko]

Looks great! Wish I had your nerve.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Wow - you did that with a hand held 1/4” drill ??? How’d you hold the guitar steady?

[Adelafuente]

Wow - you did that with a hand held 1/4” drill ??? How’d you hold the guitar steady?

With the guitar leveled and held against its tripod stand, I slid the drill on a flat surface at the correct height for each hole. But yeah, I’d definitely not recommend anyone do it without proper tools or experience; I guess I had faith in myself lol.