Looking for a gold-plated woodscrew for Johnny Smith archtop pickguard

**JazzNote** · 01-19-2017, 11:18 AM

Looking for a gold-plated woodscrew for the pickguard of my Johnny Smith archtop. It's the long one to attach the guard to the top next to the neck. Probably the same size as used on the LeGrand or L5. Any ideas where i could get one?

I have searched the websites of sellers who provide hardware for guitars but found none!

Thanks

**wintermoon** · 01-19-2017, 11:22 AM

just use a brass one from a hardware store.

**BigMikeinNJ** · 01-19-2017, 11:23 AM

Wintermoon beat me to it, that's what I've done in the past. You have to be RIGHT ON TOP to notice any appreciable difference, and it's minuscule.

**Woody Sound** · 01-19-2017, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by BigMikeinNJ

Wintermoon beat me to it, that's what I've done in the past. You have to be RIGHT ON TOP to notice any appreciable difference, and it's minuscule.

I need one too. I did use a brass one from the hardware store, but it's flat with a slightly wider head. Works, but doesn't fit perfectly, I'd still like to get the real thing.The gold Gibson screw heads are slightly smaller, and slightly domed. The short ones are available all over the internet, but I've yet to see the longer ones.

**lawson-stone** · 01-19-2017, 11:40 AM

Maybe Stewmac or Allparts has something?

**vinnyv1k** · 01-19-2017, 11:46 AM

Any product you buy replacement parts are available unless you buy a Gibson. A Gibson dealer that has a great relationship with Gibson can get you one probably.
Buying a brass one and having it gold plated might be easier.
I don't like Gibson business tactics. If you have a valid serial no. you should be able to get parts for it.

**JazzNote** · 01-19-2017, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by lawson-stone

Maybe Stewmac or Allparts has something?

I checked the sites of all of them (there are quite a few more :-), also ebay, but not a single one came up. Actually hard to believe ..

**JazzNote** · 01-19-2017, 12:01 PM

Originally Posted by vinnyv1k

Any product you buy replacement parts are available unless you buy a Gibson. A Gibson dealer that has a great relationship with Gibson can get you one probably.
Buying a brass one and having it gold plated might be easier.
I don't like Gibson business tactics. If you have a valid serial no. you should be able to get parts for it.

Maybe i try the gibson board. Our Gibson importer here seems to be not very knowledgeable about archtops.

**vinnyv1k** · 01-19-2017, 01:10 PM

What about Thomann ? I got some L5 tuners from them. Cost me a fortune as they are in Germany and I am in the USA but they got them for me from Gibson. I couldn't get them here. Like I always say.....I love/hate Gibson.
No aftermarket company offers them. Email archtop.com. Joe V may have a source of them.

**lawson-stone** · 01-19-2017, 01:17 PM

The best thing might be to get a physical description of the screw: thread, diameter, head type, etc. and to to one of the websites selling connectors of all types, and just see if they have screws of that size and type.

**goldenwave77** · 01-19-2017, 01:52 PM

Maybe a jeweler's or clockmaker's supply house would have them?!

You're in the right country for those.

**plasticpigeon** · 01-19-2017, 05:57 PM

You can buy cheap pickguard brackets with fasteners. By the looks of it, this should be long enough. I'm sure that you could get something similar nearer to you.

Les Paul Pickguard Mounting Bracket Gold with Screws | eBay

**JazzNote** · 01-19-2017, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by plasticpigeon

You can buy cheap pickguard brackets with fasteners. By the looks of it, this should be long enough. I'm sure that you could get something similar nearer to you.

Les Paul Pickguard Mounting Bracket Gold with Screws | eBay

The original ones are quite thinner in diameter. Only about 2mm to 2.3 mm, almost as thin as PU frame screws. And the head is smaller too. I would hate to force a thick screw into the wood of this guitar. Maybe i'm nuts about it, but i want to keep everything with it as original or as reversible as possible.

If i don't find a genuine one i might brush the original clean and coat the head with golden paint.

**Matt Cushman** · 01-19-2017, 07:47 PM

You might try this site Guitar Screws . They have some with gold plate. Do you know the size and length you need?

**Max405** · 01-19-2017, 08:31 PM

#3 oval head 7/8".
I just bought one for mine. Brass. Home Depot has them here in the states. $1.18.
Joe D

**Woody Sound** · 01-19-2017, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by Matt Cushman

You might try this site Guitar Screws . They have some with gold plate. Do you know the size and length you need?

Cool site, thanks. But none of those gold ones in the picture are a match.

**Woody Sound** · 01-19-2017, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by Max405

#3 oval head 7/8".
I just bought one for mine. Brass. Home Depot has them here in the states. $1.18.
Joe D

Thanks, I'll have to check that out. Here in Western NYS I usually go to Valu Home Center, which has a huge selection. But they don't have those.

**wintermoon** · 01-20-2017, 12:41 AM

you can find a jeweler or plating shop, maybe you can get your old one replated if you can't find an exact replacement. Does the guitar have the orig guard?

**fws6** · 01-20-2017, 04:43 AM

Originally Posted by JazzNote

i might brush the original clean and coat the head with golden paint.

so you still have the original but it has become oxidized ??

better be aware of that pickguard then, corroding of the pickguard screws and bracket thats the first sign the guard started outgassing . In the long run be careful as it might also eat away the plating from the pickups and corrode the frets and finish

**limjaz** · 01-20-2017, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by fws6

so you still have the original but it has become oxidized ??

better be aware of that pickguard then, corroding of the pickguard screws and bracket thats the first sign the guard started outgassing . In the long run be careful as it might also eat away the plating from the pickups and corrode the frets and finish

Pardon me if this has been asked before. But what does it mean when you say the guard started outgassing? Do you mean the pickguard itself?

The reason I ask is my Campellone archtop started to have oxidation on the gold plated parts as well and Mark mentioned that it might be from the adhesive used inside the case releasing some fumes causing the oxidation. He further suggested not to keep the guitar inside the case for too long without letting it air out

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**goldenwave77** · 01-20-2017, 06:58 AM

Sounds like you should air the guitar case out, or get a different one.

What is the point of a $150 protective device (the case), if it's harming the $5000 instrument?!

**plasticpigeon** · 01-20-2017, 07:50 AM

I personally would live with the original screw in its oxidised state, that's what I did. I changed the guard and cleaned up the screws. They look a littel rough, but much better when the surface is smooth with no green on it! However it is really easy to get them gold plated. Where i live there is a "jewellery quarter" with a number of places that offer gold plating in many different grades. Failing that how about the screws used to hold the pickguards on cheaper archtops such as epiphone emperors and broadways?

**plasticpigeon** · 01-20-2017, 08:08 AM

I realise now that the Gibson screws are countersunk oval head and the Epiphone screws are countersunk flat head.

**JazzNote** · 01-20-2017, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by wintermoon

you can find a jeweler or plating shop, maybe you can get your old one replated if you can't find an exact replacement. Does the guitar have the orig guard?

No, it came with a replaced guard already.

**JazzNote** · 01-20-2017, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by fws6

so you still have the original but it has become oxidized ??

better be aware of that pickguard then, corroding of the pickguard screws and bracket thats the first sign the guard started outgassing . In the long run be careful as it might also eat away the plating from the pickups and corrode the frets and finish

I will keep an eye on it as i don't know when the guard was replaced.