Gibson SJN pickguard assistance hoped for

[Emory]

I've got a 69 Gibson SJN I got for a song some years ago, but had no pickguard. It does have the screw holes, so at least know what shape/type it was. I'd like to make my own, being cheapskate and all.... do any of you know where I could get template? Or own one and would be willing to scan and send me file (hopefully with bit of ruler so I can zero in on correct size). Don't want to find old original or pay for new one. While looking I saw just inside label for "only" $125. Guitar cost me $100 with good strap. Do like the guitar... neck is still as straight as day it left the factory... and has been ridden hard and put away wet.

[DeepEnd]

Try here: https://www.terrapinisland.com/pdfFiles.html and here: http://www.artisanguitarcreations.com/TemplateIndexAcoustics.htm. If they don't have one for your exact guitar you should be able to find something usable.

[Mikeo]

Try here: https://www.terrapinisland.com/pdfFiles.html and here: http://www.artisanguitarcreations.co...xAcoustics.htm. If they don't have one for your exact guitar you should be able to find something usable.

 

Good call.

 

I believe the Gibson Hummingbird and the Gibson Southern Jumbo have identically shaped pickguards and the square-shoulder body shapes.

Obviously, the Hummingbird has the fancy etching on it.

 

It's totally worth printing out and giving it a try.

 

https://www.terrapinisland.com/2011/pdf/HBA-01.pdf

 

http://www.artisanguitarcreations.com/pdf/GHB.pdf

 

https://www.axetremecreations.com/im...PDF%206x10.pdf

https://www.axetremecreations.com/im...5%20-%20AC.pdf

 

The reason I posted a few of these templates is that over the years I believe the radius around the sound hole changed. It looks like from the 1st picture you have the larger radius one that exposes more of the wood around the sound hole.

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[Emory]

Wow! Thanks guys. I agree looking Hummingbird-ish. Glad I posted here. This is a most definite bookmark for those guards. I imagine also would be useful for others.

Now all (all?) I need to do is find some plastic about same thickness here in Thailand... haha... I have friend in US who does faux finishes, maybe can give me some tips on how to swirl up something comparable to original... doesn't look all that standard tortoise shell like on the SJN... Can't thank you enough... I'd like to, but just can't (attempt at humor).. hmm I know. I'll ask my Thai wife to find the plastic stock. She handles purchasing for a woman's woo woo cosmetics company here. And I can't read Thai... When I finish it I'll post a photo. Maybe month or two.

[Emory]

Looks like Gibson went for stick on rather than screw on in that sunburst. I would guess the thick screw on would suck tone like crazy. Hmm teeny tiny lifter washers to raise it a hair off soundboard? Former owner of mine also had expert installation of bit of rosewood to get rid of that height adjustable saddle (another tone sucker I imagine). That little detail confirmed to me that mine was real deal and not a copy. My investigation into "Is it real?" took all sorts of twists and turns, had fun playing Sherlock. But that's another story

[Grant Harding]

I reckon you could refurbish that and sell it for big bucks if you wanted to. The stripped headstock makes me suspicious.

[Emory]

Stripped headstock made me suspicious too. Logo looked like cereal box cut out. Looking at pics of others on reverb (lots of mid to late 60's for sale there), possible Gibson did rough cut on logo, then detailed out with paint. I'm no authority on that. (take a gander at headstock & zoom to see what looks like some paint lines around the logo, from one for sale, SN 888048, 23 off from mine (if real)). Other stories about Gibson of time often used whatever was lying around factory. Their SN's also not too organized, so mine (888025) could be 66 or 69. Also seems uncertainty whether up or down with belly on bridge.. Did print out 2 variations on Hummingbird pickguard, but seem larger... near touching bridge v photos of true SJN maybe smaller. I could always scale it down. I could make a post regarding my quest, but reckon if I did it here would be a bit much for most and off topic of making a pickguard.

Some may argue that the neck being still straight and not needing a reset is proof it is not real (joke, maybe). Early on when seeing what model it is, I did see some pics of collectors real ones. One has couple small splits lower back in exact same position as mine. Now that is a good copy!

I don't plan on selling it, and feel all the scratches, dents etc are a bit of its history, so would not want to make it look new. I'll have my widow just ship it off to a friend when I croak.

Oh, forgot. Former owner(s) installed some nice Grovers and also a no body chop under saddle pickup with preamp. Seems they thought it was worth the expense to upgrade.

[Grant Harding]

I'm envious! That's a really cool guitar!