Clear pickguard for RG520qs

[total guitar nerd]

Hi all!

I'm new here but have been reading the forum for just about a decade.

I have an RG that I really want to add a pickguard to.

The guitar in question is a 1999 RG520QS. The model is born without a pickguard and has a H-H pickup configuration. I would like to add a clear pickguard to it, in the standard RG/JEM shape.

But I am in doubt as to how much the exact locations of the volume and tone knobs and the pickup selector have changed across different RG models/years. I know that older RGs have the volume know placed way closer to the bridge pickup than later ones. For instance on my 1991 RG560 the volume knob is probably about a full half-inch further north/north-east than on my 2000 RG7620.

I am tempted to simply order a custom guard from Pickguard Paradise, but I am a bit worried that the know holes might be wrongly located if the guard is based on a standard RG550/JEM template.

Do any of you know if there are certain standards regarding the control layout? Would I be able to simply order a guard based on an RG550 (but without the middle pickup)?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Ole / Denmark.

[rty13ibz98]

the 7620 had the volume knob placed farther out as you describe. the rest of the 6 strings are pretty standard. i noticed the same thing back in 98-99 when i bought my first 7620 and compared it to all my other rg's(they hung on the wall side by side).


rich

[RGTFanatic]

The best thing you can do is to tape a large piece of paper over the entire body, then rub the side of a pencil over each cavity and pot bore. You can sent that to pickguard paradise as a template for your new guard.

[total guitar nerd]

Thanks for your helpful comments.

RGTFanatic, I'm not sure I understand you correctly: Since my guitar is born with no pickguard, using the technique your describe would not give an outline of the pickguard itself, only where the holes are supposed to be - but I guess maybe that is your point?

Anyway you're probably right that it is a good idea to send a trace to Pickguard Paradise.. :-)

[silverctr]

Originally Posted by total guitar nerd

Thanks for your helpful comments.

RGTFanatic, I'm not sure I understand you correctly: Since my guitar is born with no pickguard, using the technique your describe would not give an outline of the pickguard itself, only where the holes are supposed to be - but I guess maybe that is your point?

Anyway you're probably right that it is a good idea to send a trace to Pickguard Paradise.. :-)

They already have the RG outline, so all they need is the pickup, pot, etc. locations for reference. I'm curious to see how this turns out since I also have a 520.

[RGTFanatic]

Originally Posted by total guitar nerd

Thanks for your helpful comments.

RGTFanatic, I'm not sure I understand you correctly: Since my guitar is born with no pickguard, using the technique your describe would not give an outline of the pickguard itself, only where the holes are supposed to be - but I guess maybe that is your point?

Anyway you're probably right that it is a good idea to send a trace to Pickguard Paradise.. :-)

You understand correctly, as Silver pointed out, PP already has the perfect shape for an RG pickguard. They just need the exact locations of your pups, pot switch, neck route and bridge route.......... if you plan to add a single coil, you'll need to make a notation for that.

[total guitar nerd]

Thanks for your replies, Silver and RGTFan!

However, I changed my strategy now: I'm gonna make a pickguard myself! Just picked up a few pieces of nice 3mm clear plexiglass today, which I plan to cut out myself. Will keep you posted!

Cheers!

By the way, say Steve Vai for the first time in Copenhagen, Denmark last night (having been a fan for 16 years - absolutely fantastic show! A great experience!!!

[total guitar nerd]

Here's a picture of the RG520QS with the finished guard.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/11423674/foto%20%281%29.JPG

Made it myself, used a coping saw, some files, sanding paper and acrylic scratch remover for polishing the edge - I'm quite satisfied with it :-)

I hope you like it! :-)

[total guitar nerd]

Now I need to change the pickups and adding a black volume pot.

[RGTFanatic]

Looks great man...what did you use for a template???

[silverctr]

That came out fantastic!! Are you going to fill the holes from the pickup rings?

[ironfistx]

Whoa that looks really good!

[Wolfram]

I must admit, I am very suprised by how good this looks. I was rather skeptical about this idea but it seems to work really well.

-Wolfram

[total guitar nerd]

I am glad you all like how it came out!

I just used the pickguard from another RG as a template. Sawing, filing, sanding and polish were a lot easier than I had expected but took longer than I had expected - I spent probably about 15 hours making the guard!

I'm not going to fill the pickup ring holes. I think it's kind of cool that you can see that the guitar has been modded and that it looks just a bit messy. That's just my taste. Also I wouldn't how to do it properly without having to refinish the whole body :-)

I'll post some pictures of how I made the guard if anyone might be interested.

Cheers!

[Wolfram]

Yes, definately get some more pics up.

-Wolfram