GreyGrayDays Posted October 28, 2023 Share Posted October 28, 2023 (edited) Hi - I own a 2018 J-45 Standard. I love the guitar but am interested in swapping out the tear drop pickguard for the vintage batwing style. I contacted Gibson to see if I can order one and was told no. I've read good things about the custom pickguards from Terrapin. They offer 45", 30", or NO beveled edging. Does anyone know if the current batwing style pickguards used for the J-45 50's Custom have beveled edging and what option would be closest to factory parts here? Back when I bought my J-45 Standard the other 'vintage re-release ' model was significantly more expensive and I prefer the rotomatic tuners on the standard anyway over the white plastic button tuners. I just upgraded the nut, saddle, and bridge pins to bone and was basically there. The newer models of both of these guitars are now the exact same price, but the 50's original now features the batwing style pickguard I like. I could just buy one of these newer original models and sell my standard but there's already years of great play on my current one. That makes a difference in tone imo. Thoughts? Edited October 28, 2023 by GreyGrayDays Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egoidealmusic Posted October 28, 2023 Share Posted October 28, 2023 It's definitley beveled, though I can't say at what angle. I have ordered pickguards from Terrapin before and have been quite happy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyGrayDays Posted October 28, 2023 Author Share Posted October 28, 2023 Thanks Egoidealmusic! I reached out to Terrapin to see if they know the traditional angle. Just thought someone on this forum might know as well. I'll post their answer if they do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
62burst Posted October 28, 2023 Share Posted October 28, 2023 The beveled pickguard is nice. . . especially important when it is one of the thicker pick guards. But it is less of an issue on a thinner p/g. If you were able to get a nice batwing 'guard from a aftermarket supplier, it wouldn't be too much of a chore to bevel, then smooth, the replacement guard down to something that would work for you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egoidealmusic Posted October 28, 2023 Share Posted October 28, 2023 Very true, 62burst. I've cut my own pickguards from material from StewMac and all you need is a razor blade to bevel on your own. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zombywoof Posted October 28, 2023 Share Posted October 28, 2023 I would also highly recommend Holter Pickguards. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAMELEYE Posted October 28, 2023 Share Posted October 28, 2023 +1 on Holter. I have several of his guards, they look perfect, very vintage. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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