ETUDE: Making the Pickguard

KEN: Pickguard? Finger Rest? Scratchplate? Gibson’s 1917 catalog calls it an “Elevated Guard-Plate”.
Many archtop players want a supportive reference surface, whatever we may call it.
Various materials have been tried, and a bunch of support systems, too.

The fact is, it’s a tall order to fill, to provide a solid, unbreakable surface that the player can lean on and forget about. Here’s a place where carbon fiber composite can really shine. I make a very stiff molded carbon/epoxy part, firmly held with stainless steel machine screws, and face it with wood. Instead of hanging it to the body, I secure it to the neck. It’s a lot of work for something we’ve all taken for granted, but this design works perfectly, feels reassuringly robust, and also provides a secure home for a pickup and controls.