Leather Pickguards?

[stephenT]

I've used a few, cool look. Anyone else?

[Dru Edwards]

I don't think I've ever seen a leather pickguard on an electric before but they look great on those three guitars. Are they all yours?

[stephenT]

Thanks Drew,.. they are guitars I've built, now in the hands of their owners. I don't know if Waylon's leather wrapped tele was the first but leather pickguards have kinda been a thing on custom builds for the last 10 years or so.

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

I don't think I've ever seen a leather pickguard on an electric before but they look great on those three guitars. Are they all yours?

[ifret]

I have never seen one, but you did a nice job with those electrics. They fit nicely with the whole look.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by stephenT

Thanks Drew,.. they are guitars I've built, now in the hands of their owners. I don't know if Waylon's leather wrapped tele was the first but leather pickguards have kinda been a thing on custom builds for the last 10 years or so.

You build beautiful guitars! The pickguard's color and design fit the color of the teles perfectly.

[Steel and wood]

I originally thought about putting one on my Telecaster but decided to keep the plain pickguard instead.

Speaking of leather and Telecasters, the ultimate Tele for me is one with a leather cover a la Waylon Jennings.

[stephenT]

Thanks for the kind words, after tone and playability I get to play w/ the color palette, I try to use traditional colors in an interesting way..

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

You build beautiful guitars! The pickguard's color and design fit the color of the teles perfectly.

[redir]

IDK. Don't get me wrong. I've got leather boots, shoes, belts and so on but that just kind of creeps me out

It almost looks like alligator skin.

[airborne1]

I just love that first photo of the splatted type Wood with gator guard! I like it a looooooooot!!

[stephenT]

A very unusual hunk o' pine, my guess is mineral/ground water staining. The gray streaks are for sure from minerals. The red orange guitar is also pine and has a .22 bullet that was in the tree.

Originally Posted by airborne1

I just love that first photo of the splatted type Wood with gator guard! I like it a looooooooot!!

It is leather, but faux gator hide (not skin, that is creepy) if that helps.

Originally Posted by redir

IDK. Don't get me wrong. I've got leather boots, shoes, belts and so on but that just kind of creeps me out It almost looks like alligator skin.

[Marley]

I've come super close over the years but have not got one, yet.

Those look absolutely amazing! Really awesome. Just me, but what I would have to do with those is find some paint, match it up to the guards and dab over those screw heads. Those silver screws against that leather would drive my OCD insane.

But regardless, well done! and beautiful guitars

[stephenT]

I'm with you. The top guitar has black Gibson style pickguard screws (they are smaller) and they are practically invisible. It's also the newest one to be finished. Gold Gibson style pickguard screws would have been better on the other guitars.

My thinking was the chrome screws work w/ the rest of the chrome on the body, but yeah, smaller and color coordinated w/ the leather would be better.

Originally Posted by Marley

I've come super close over the years but have not got one, yet.

Those look absolutely amazing! Really awesome. Just me, but what I would have to do with those is find some paint, match it up to the guards and dab over those screw heads. Those silver screws against that leather would drive my OCD insane.

But regardless, well done! and beautiful guitars

[redir]

Originally Posted by stephenT

A very unusual hunk o' pine, my guess is mineral/ground water staining. The gray streaks are for sure from minerals. The red orange guitar is also pine and has a .22 bullet that was in the tree.



It is leather, but faux gator hide (not skin, that is creepy) if that helps.

Do you know how they make that pattern in the leather?

I love the use of reclaimed wood bullets and all. I've built a few and left the nail holes in it.

[stephenT]

it's embossing, which is pressing a pattern into the leather.

Originally Posted by redir

Do you know how they make that pattern in the leather?

I love the use of reclaimed wood bullets and all. I've built a few and left the nail holes in it.

[KevWind]

Interesting and different very nice work. And I also think that wood in the top photo is outstanding looking. Very cool

Did you tool the one in the middle photo ? My wife and I used to have a saddle and tack repair business, and did some tooling