question for all you SG fonaticks

metalhead384 · Post by **metalhead384** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 12:24 am

Im about to buy a gibson sg standard and wanna change the big pickguard to a half pickguard. can i do that??? any tips or anything

ultratwin · Post by **ultratwin** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 1:15 am

Being a Gibson, extraneously large pickup routes or body cuts for the wires between the two (which both exist on some Epiphones) should not be a problem.

However, besides unfilled screw holes being ugly, there'e a good chance that not all 3 of the smaller guard screws that are in the relatively same place as on the larger guard (neck, lower horn, pickup selector) will line up exactly. Remember that there are two new screw holes you'll need to drill between the pickups on the small guard, though I guess they'll be well hidden if you try to sell it late with the large guard on.

My opinion? Play some Sabaath for a few hours in front of a mirror and enjoy the large guard for also being awesome.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 8:12 am

Yep - far from straightforward. Stick with the large guard (I prefer them) or buy a Tokai instead - big neck like the standard, but small guard like a '61.

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 5:44 pm

ultra wrote:Being a Gibson, extraneously large pickup routes or body cuts for the wires between the two (which both exist on some Epiphones) should not be a problem.

Oh ye of little faith! The faded/special models (identical apart from satin/gloss finishes, respectively) are both routed to buggery, don't know about the Standards though.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 8:06 pm

ultratwin wrote:My opinion? Play some Sabaath for a few hours in front of a mirror and enjoy the large guard for also being awesome.

Wise words.

Billy3000 · Post by **Billy3000** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:47 pm

I've never taken the guard off my SG standard so I don't know what it looks like under there. I kinda prefer the big pickguard too.

wwrrss · Post by **wwrrss** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 9:49 pm

Bigger is better, haven't you heard?

ultratwin · Post by **ultratwin** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 1:12 am

paul_ wrote:
ultra wrote:Being a Gibson, extraneously large pickup routes or body cuts for the wires between the two (which both exist on some Epiphones) should not be a problem.
Oh ye of little faith! The faded/special models (identical apart from satin/gloss finishes, respectively) are both routed to buggery, don't know about the Standards though.

Got me on that one, Paul!

Looks like I have to rethink what I think I thought I knew. Metalheady will have to dig deeper to find the truth under the plastic.

ultratwin · Post by **ultratwin** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 4:55 am

...And speaking of (ugly) big-guarded SGs, Epiphones, and things named Sabaath:

► Show Spoiler

serfx · Post by **serfx** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 5:01 am

that is probably the only SG (guitar) i would rock

pumpkin · Post by **pumpkin** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:37 am

Related, I picked up one of these last week for â‚¬400. I bought it as a gift for my best mate who really likes SGs... I will have a hard time parting with it. It does not play or sound like any SG I have ever played before. Great tonal combinations with the 6 way switch. It has, not a poly finish or a nitro finish but latex I am starting to think the less shit on the guitar the better it sounds. It has a flavor all it's on and you can telecaster type sounds of it as well.

jamba72 · Post by **jamba72** » Sun Oct 23, 2011 9:45 am

I tried this on my Gordon Smith, too, which has a similar form. I just carved out some of the wood like you, so that P90ies fit into. After that I realized that standard humbucker rings cover quite well the P90ies holes.
The only problem are the other visible cavities between and beneath, so that you only can use the big SG pickguard.