Hummingbird Pickguard

[MexicoMike]

Hi All, I'm new to Hummingbirds - been a Martin user all my life until a few weeks ago. I picked up a 1998 model and now the H-bird has become my gig guitar, replacing my old D28!

 

Due to missing paint, I want to replace the pick guard. I have read all the threads I can find about replacements from Gibson (apparently not available), the cheap e-bay epiphone versions, and repainting the existing pick guards. I thought about that method which looks good on some of the sample pics I have seen. Unfortunately, some of the impressed lines (where the paint lies) on the head-area of the bird itself are worn to the point where there are no indentations in the plastic to hold the paint.

 

Does anyone have any experience with these pick guards: https://fox-guitars.com/catalog/gibson-hummingbird-vintage-celluloid-tortoise-shell-engraved-hand-painted-pickguard

 

The ad sound good but I can't really tell how "accurate" the pick guards are as far as quality/size/fitment. Thanks for any assistance

[MexicoMike]

Thought I'd update since apparently no one here has tried this particular engraved pick guard. I went ahead and ordered one figuring I've wasted more money on a dinner out! Anyway, the pickguard appears to be identical in design/shape/size to the gibson Hummingbird pickguard on my 1998 'Bird except for the fact that it is deeply engraved as opposed to heat-stamped. I have read that back in the beginning, the factory pickquards were engraved as opposed to heat stamped. If that's the case, this pick guard may be be an accurate reproduction of the original but, since I have never seen one, I can't say. In any case, if you want an engraved pick guard that the color will never rub out of to replace a heat-stamped or other type of 'bird pick guard, this one will certainly do the job. If you want the color out, you'd have to dig it out on purpose! ;)

[drathbun]

Thought I'd update since apparently no one here has tried this particular engraved pick guard. I went ahead and ordered one figuring I've wasted more money on a dinner out! Anyway, the pickguard appears to be identical in design/shape/size to the gibson Hummingbird pickguard on my 1998 'Bird except for the fact that it is deeply engraved as opposed to heat-stamped. I have read that back in the beginning, the factory pickquards were engraved as opposed to heat stamped. If that's the case, this pick guard may be be an accurate reproduction of the original but, since I have never seen one, I can't say. In any case, if you want an engraved pick guard that the color will never rub out of to replace a heat-stamped or other type of 'bird pick guard, this one will certainly do the job. If you want the color out, you'd have to dig it out on purpose! ;)

 

Thanks for the update Mike! It is good to know there is something available of the right size and material in case it is needed.

[62burst]

Oh man. . . when I read the name, I was expecting an unfortunate outcome, as there had been a trainwreck of a thread involving the re-fin of an old L-00 by Mr. Fox, once known on this forum as pfox14 (now banned here). Glad to hear you are happy with your Fox pickguard. Ask E-minor7 about his.

[meanstreak]

What are you doing with the original guard? I'd be interested in it!

[E-minor7]

Ask E-minor7 about his.

Yes, we had a severe wrestling match over mis-measured 3-point p-guards a couple of years ago.

I bought and got them, , , and they were absolutely not rhyming Gibson.

What's worse than bein' angry when you're supposed to be glad.

High Court Judge eBay had to settle the mess - and did it with authority and precision.

How lame it was.

[sbpark]

Hold on to the original pick guard even though you’ve replaced it. In the event that you ever parted ways with the guitar, sold it, etc., it would be nice to be able to return it to its original state or pass. It along to the next owner. It’s not like you’d be able to fetch a ton for that particular used pick guard, so just hold onto it.