• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

Anyone have picks of 50's LP custom pickguard

jshapiro

New member
Joined
Nov 16, 2006
Messages
12
I have a custom pickguard and am trying to determine if its 50's.What should I look for? Were they the same as 68-69 and completely different than early 70's.Its b/w/b/w/b the top white layer is thinner.The top is not slick or pefectly flat.What are the tool markings I hear of or the roll marks?
 
Last edited:

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner
Joined
Aug 2, 2001
Messages
42,567
If it is cut for two humbuckers it is unlikely to be 50's. :ganz
 

Rev.WillieVK

Active member
Joined
Jul 26, 2002
Messages
9,268
Where all the HB 50's customs 3 pickup?

All but a few.

56LPCpickguard.jpg
 

Tom Wittrock

Les Paul Forum Co-Owner
Joined
Aug 2, 2001
Messages
42,567
I think it will have to be seen in person, by someone who knows what they are looking for. It is almost impossible to photograph the roll marks. If you have other 50's Gibson plastic [like a truss cover] compare them.
But, you'll probably need an "in hand" inspection by an expert.

Remember, these are so rare as to be highly unlikely to be from the 50's. :)
 

Rev.WillieVK

Active member
Joined
Jul 26, 2002
Messages
9,268
I agree that it really needs to be seen in person by somebody that knows what to look for. It could be a '60s guard or it could be a cut-down P-90 guard, or it could be something else.

In the meantime, look for marks like these (but more spread out) on the underside:

198_p53611.jpeg
 

GLP68

New member
Joined
Jan 26, 2006
Messages
101
The bevels were cut at a shallower angle. They also stay white in color. The one I see in the photo does not look 50's. Notice the custom above. All else has creamed other than the pickguard.
 

GLP68

New member
Joined
Jan 26, 2006
Messages
101
Would you know why the later pickguards do change to a cream or yelowish color?
 

Strange_brew

New member
Joined
Jan 4, 2021
Messages
22
I recently bought a 60s pickguard for a LP custom, but now that I look closer it might be older? it has not yellowed in the white stripes
like the 60s and 70s pickguards usually do, and when I compare it to pictures of 1950s LP customs with pickguards it looks more similar to those pickguards than the later ones, pls help!
 

DANELECTRO

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 24, 2003
Messages
6,318
I recently bought a 60s pickguard for a LP custom, but now that I look closer it might be older? it has not yellowed in the white stripes
like the 60s and 70s pickguards usually do, and when I compare it to pictures of 1950s LP customs with pickguards it looks more similar to those pickguards than the later ones, pls help!
Post some photos so that we can see what you have
 

Strange_brew

New member
Joined
Jan 4, 2021
Messages
22
ES19248-WEB-17_1800x1800.jpg


Used to be my 1958, after 20 years, now in the hands of a new owner.
Really beautiful, I could only dream of owning one of these beauties..
The pickguard I had in question was for a two pickup guitar, with my luck it was probably from the 50s which is worth twice the money (if not more) than what I sold it for.
 

sws1

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 4, 2001
Messages
2,846
Really beautiful, I could only dream of owning one of these beauties..
The pickguard I had in question was for a two pickup guitar, with my luck it was probably from the 50s which is worth twice the money (if not more) than what I sold it for.

From your pics, it's quite likely not a 50s 2 pup pick guard.
 
Top