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I'm hoping someone out there who owns a McCarty pickguard/pickup unit can answer a quick question for me. I need the measurement in inches, or millimetres, of the pickguard length along the string side. I'm including a picture where I've added a red line highlighting the relevant dimension. I'm working on a pickguard project and need this information in order to continue.
If you're able to help me out, I'd be very grateful, and I'll be sure to share pics of my project upon completion.
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05-03-2017 12:37 AM
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I have a McCarty on a non-cut 1949 L-7 and another one on a 1952 L-4C. The one on the L-4C has been shortened just a bit to fit perfectly on the 16" guitar.
I can measure them after work tomorrow if nobody else flies to your rescue before then.
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You might want to measure the distance from the 18th fret to the bridge on the guitar on which the pickguard will be placed. That is how I sized mine.
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I have an original McCarty on my '49 L-7c.
It measures 8 5/8" along that straight length dimension you're looking for.
The point of the pickguard where its pinned to the neck aligns with the 18th fret.
If I was to be making a new one.....8 1/2" would provide a little more room for adjusting the treble side saddle height adjusting wheel, but either way its workable.Last edited by zizala; 05-03-2017 at 06:32 AM.
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I have one I'll have to dig out tonight. Note that there are cutaway and non-cut versions.
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I am planning on a slightly shorter one - I'm thinking 8 1/4 will work best.
Originally Posted by zizala
-T
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213.5 mm (8.406 in.) on my L-4C. Keep in mind that it has been shortened for the 16" L-4C with a 24.75" scale length.
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Again, thanks for all the help everyone. My McCarty pickguard/pickup project is proceeding nicely. I got a great deal on eBay on a Lindy Fralin McCarty style pickup (new at $65), and I’m having Tony at Pickguardian make the ‘guard for me.
Here are my thoughts on the McCarty pickguard design. I think it would work best, and look best, if the length was kept to 8 inches - the same as the original pickguard that came on the guitar. That should give me enough clearance between the edge of the ‘guard and the bridge. I found a picture of a Lollar designed pickguard that is 8 inches in length, and I am including it here for reference. One thing about the Lollar ‘guard I would like to change, however, is the shape of the pickguard by the bridge - it doesn’t quite capture the profile of a McCarty ‘guard. To make my idea clear, I’ve included a copy of the picture with the lower section of an original McCarty ‘guard superimposed over the Lollar one. That picture pretty much captures what I have in mind for my pickguard.
Also, I have decided to go for surface mounted controls on the pickguard - I like the more traditional look.
It should be done in a few weeks; I’ll post pics when it’s finished.
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To me these pu/pickguard combo look terrible. I am not sure how they sound but if not great I would do a floating JS or dearmond reissue. Do those pu S sound better.
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No offence, but ultimately, I'm really only concerned with satisfying my aesthetic standards. I like the look - and I LOVE the sound - of McCarty 'guards. No worries if you don't.
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I'm totally with you man. Very cool looking. Originally Posted by Socraticaster
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Looks great to me too Originally Posted by Woody Sound
I'm totally with you man. Very cool looking.
Do these sound similar to a P90 ?
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Eddie - one last question: I'm trying to source some vintage knobs for my McCarty 'guard. Can you give me a rough approximation of the height and diameter of the knobs on your guard? Thanks so much. Originally Posted by Eddie Lang
213.5 mm (8.406 in.) on my L-4C. Keep in mind that it has been shortened for the 16" L-4C with a 24.75" scale length.
-TravisSaveSave
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Travis,
I'll jump in....
There were two types of original McCarty knobs......the one you see on Eddie Lang's above measure approx 18mm (W) x 7mm (H).
The knob was actually an integral part of the potentiometer itself....so no pot "can" hanging below the lower surface of the pick guard....just the mount screw and terminals.
It would be hard to find a knob of this profile that can be used on a conventional pot with shaft.
I've made McCarty style units with harnesses that use regular short shaft mini pots and knobs with 1/4" shafts.
Here's one that was made McCarty style but morphed into a Guild shape (for a Guild of course).....
The knobs on this one are 17mm (W) x 10mm (H).
I've got a bunch of those and can send you some if you like.
I'll be very interested to know more about that Lindy Fralin pickup.......
I'm very happy with the sound of the old ones but my ears are always curious.Last edited by zizala; 05-13-2017 at 08:02 AM.
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I feel the same way. Originally Posted by Socraticaster
Zizala gave you a very good estimation. If you want more precise, they are 19.8 mm (W) X 6.83 mm (H) on both my L-4C and non-cut L-7. Originally Posted by Socraticaster
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I found some old knobs that look close, with a 17mm diameter, but they're 9mm high. Close enough for jazz, I guess. I doubt I could go much shorter with the mini pots I'm planning to use, anyway.
Thanks so much for all the help, everyone.
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Hi Richard...
Looks like Travis has his knobs and there's no need to go further....
....but it wouldn't be me if I didn't fuss over the details......
I had mentioned two sizes of knobs came on McCartys.....and now I remember your two guards have the older and slightly larger design.
I made the mistake of not looking close enough or recalling which ones were on your L-4c guard and used the measurements on mine (with the slightly smaller knobs).
There now ....I can rest easy....
Knobb'n out!
DLast edited by zizala; 05-15-2017 at 05:40 AM.
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A fine quality if you ask me... Originally Posted by zizala
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You can still get the surface mount potentiometers, but knobs that fit over them are hard to find. I had to make my own knobs.
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On ebay, but they seem to have only one.
Gretsch Super Chet Vintage Guitar Parts PickGuard Volume Knobs Gibson McCarty | eBay
IIRC, icr had a video or a series of photos detailing the making of the knobs on the McCarty he made.
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You might check here for vintage knobs. I found a few here I didn't expect to ever find...
Play Things Of Past: Vintage Radios, Tubes, Parts
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Hi all:
Thanks for everyone’s help and input so far. Tony at Pickguardian is currently making me a McCarty pickguard, so I’m starting to plan ahead for when I get it back.
I’ll need to wire everything up, and I wanted some input/advice. I’m planning on following the wiring diagram below. Does everything appear correct? Also, I’m thinking of a .022 cap., but that’s only because I have one on hand. Are there better cap suggestions for this set up?
Finally, I think I’ll connect the pickguard/pickup output to the endpin jack using push-on connector clips attached under the pickguard (so the pickguard can be easily removed for repair, etc.). They’ll need to be small though. Has anyone tried something like that before? If so, what were your experiences, and can you recommend what type of clip-on connectors to use? I really have no idea.
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I plug the cable from the end pin jack into the pickguard. Originally Posted by Socraticaster
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I have an original one of these (single pu), but the leads have been completely snipped off. When I check with my meter it reads about 10.6 ohms. It will be easy to attached a new wire, but how do I know which lead is which so I can rewire it?
Last edited by Woody Sound; 05-24-2017 at 11:12 AM.
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I've got a few of these originals.....they sound great for my purposes.
Looking at your photo just as it sits.....the hot lead goes on the left terminal, and the ground lead is on the right.
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