Metal work for customer guitar pick guard and plate

Sheep

Howdy.

Bought a Gretsch and I want to make it "mine" so to speak with a bit of pimping. First thing I want to do is put on a better scratch plate. Thinking of simply remaking the exact shape and all of the one I have now, but maybe adding a little flare to it. Dunno yet. And if at all possible a little Gretsch logo in there as well, but that might be taking it a bit far.

Also would like a little control plate under the volume and tone knobs similar to how a Telecaster looks.

I hear metal work can be fairly expensive. Anyone have any idea?

Richard M. Nixon

You might be able to do it with a Dremel tool and a metal cutting wheel, particularly if you're using light-enough gauge metal. You could do it easily with plastic.

As far as the Gretsch logo, you might try etching it in brass: http://www.instructables.com/id/Etching-brass-plates/

Diomedes240z

Laser cutting is cheap if you can use a CAD package...

iglidante

If you're going to do this stuff yourself, I'd make sure you've got good hands and a really clear sense of what you want to do. Especially if this is a higher-end Gretsch. Personally, I'd just do some research and find custom after-market hardware (at least as a starting point).

flatlinegraphics

there are tons of custom guitar parts out there. fender stuff is more common, but there should be gretsch stuff too. i know guitarfetish.com sells blank tele plates for the controls (and you will need to drill your own, as the controls on a gretsch are not going to line up with predrilled holes on a normal tele plate).

there are also places (and ebay) that sell uncut pickguard sheets. just take the one you have, drop it on some paper, and trace.

if this is your first time, i'd suggest that you either buy things premade or plan on messing up a couple times before having somehting awesome. also, make sure you save the stock stuff in case you ever want to sell it.

Forbe!

Depends what kind of metalwork you are talking about.

Sure lasercutting is cheap. If you're getting 500 of the same part made, and can draw it up yourself on CAD. Otherwise, your best bet is to diy it.

If you have an actual idea on what you're going to do, we can better estimate how much work will need to be done. Metal, fabrication, etc.