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Custom shop pick guard quality

PBZEPP

Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2022
Messages
32
So I can’t be the only one who has noticed this and I have seen several threads on the topic but seriously, wtf. My original one fit a little better but came with a nice crack at the tip where it attached to the body. So Gibson sent me out this one. Now mind you I get they don’t fit like gloves, and that there is shrinkage, except mine is a NOS gloss model. That neck gap is insane. I’m not trying to nit pick but hot damn…. Anyways, already sent off another email… not asking for much except maybe a guard on a 5k guitar not look like it was very last minute and shaped by a 3yr old.
 

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PBZEPP

Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2022
Messages
32
Maybe the guard mounting hole is off. Maybe I’ll just leave it off haha. All DA style
 

Winkyplayer

Member
Joined
May 1, 2021
Messages
74
Dunno about the mounting hole being off. Even if the pick-guard was pushed hard up against the PU shroud, there would still be a pretty big gap at the neck. Might be a combination of a slightly wide mounting hole on the body plus and out-of-spec guard. I agree with you that it looks kind-of crap, though.
 

PBZEPP

Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2022
Messages
32
Dunno about the mounting hole being off. Even if the pick-guard was pushed hard up against the PU shroud, there would still be a pretty big gap at the neck. Might be a combination of a slightly wide mounting hole on the body plus and out-of-spec guard. I agree with you that it looks kind-of crap, though.
Thank you for the other set of eyes on this. I don’t want to nitpick so I’m glad I’m just not seeing things haha!
 

Winkyplayer

Member
Joined
May 1, 2021
Messages
74
Thank you for the other set of eyes on this. I don’t want to nitpick so I’m glad I’m just not seeing things haha!
You're not nitpicking. If it was me, I'd absolutely make a stink about it, up to and including asking for a replacement guitar. Your spend that kind of money to get a guitar you can LOVE. This issue needs to be fixed.

I should add that the "hand-built" idea is not an excuse for this. Yeah, in a hand-built world, the guard shapes and mounting hole locations may be more variable than for robot-made components, but the QA/QC process should then pick up the issue and, if required (due to an out-of-spec body) either reject that body or custom-make a properly fitting guard. If Gibson CS just have a "$h!+ happens" and "that's hand-made for you" attitude? Well; that's totally unacceptable.
 
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PBZEPP

Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2022
Messages
32
You're not nitpicking. If it was me, I'd absolutely make a stink about it, up to and including asking for a replacement guitar. Your spend that kind of money to get a guitar you can LOVE. This issue needs to be fixed.

I should add that the "hand-built" idea is not an excuse for this. Yeah, in a hand-built world, the guard shapes and mounting hole locations may be more variable than for robot-made components, but the QA/QC process should then pick up the issue and, if required (due to an out-of-spec body) either reject that body or custom-make a properly fitting guard. If Gibson CS just have a "$h!+ happens" and "that's hand-made for you" attitude? Well; that's totally unacceptable.
I sent off another email to the customer service guy I talked to before. Sent these pictures and measurements of the hole and edge of pickup ring from the neck binding…. I am kinda digging it with no guard at the moment though haha. !
 

somebodyelseuk

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 10, 2020
Messages
454
Is it a Custom Shop guard or a USA (production) guard?
They don't use the same parts.
 

PBZEPP

Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2022
Messages
32
Is it a Custom Shop guard or a USA (production) guard?
They don't use the same parts.
This guard is definitely shaped a bit different then the one on it and I’m pretty sure it’s ABS even though I specifically told the guy that that’s not what comes on these and not to just send me the reissue guard they sell. Felt flimsier then the OG one. The one I had on it was like a straight edge as this one has more of a curve to it.
 

brandtkronholm

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 3, 2006
Messages
2,737
So I can’t be the only one who has noticed this and I have seen several threads on the topic but seriously, wtf. My original one fit a little better but came with a nice crack at the tip where it attached to the body. So Gibson sent me out this one. Now mind you I get they don’t fit like gloves, and that there is shrinkage, except mine is a NOS gloss model. That neck gap is insane. I’m not trying to nit pick but hot damn…. Anyways, already sent off another email… not asking for much except maybe a guard on a 5k guitar not look like it was very last minute and shaped by a 3yr old.
Tell me about the war-era nickel!
 

PBZEPP

Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2022
Messages
32
Anyone wanna do a quick little test? Where is your hole? Haha 😛
 

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PBZEPP

Member
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Aug 29, 2022
Messages
32
It’s funny, the original guard also had a gap. Not as big but the cutout for the pickup was pressed up against the corner of the ring all wonky. If whoever assembled this step would have taken two seconds to remove just a little more material from the guard before they drilled the hole , I don’t think this would be a problem right now. I feel the hole has been drilled in the wrong spot because someone was in a hurry which for a CS instrument is BS. Is it something trivial? Perhaps, but if this one little step can’t be executed blindfolded, what else was just “ slopped together “ . I’ve never been one do go over an instrument with an anal microscope but this and how wonky the nut to bridge string alignment is, damn. Hopefully someone that works for Gibson CS is on this site and sees this. Check out this alignment lol I honestly don’t know how I missed this when I bought it .. maybe I had my rose colored shades on.
 

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Winkyplayer

Member
Joined
May 1, 2021
Messages
74
It’s funny, the original guard also had a gap. Not as big but the cutout for the pickup was pressed up against the corner of the ring all wonky. If whoever assembled this step would have taken two seconds to remove just a little more material from the guard before they drilled the hole , I don’t think this would be a problem right now. I feel the hole has been drilled in the wrong spot because someone was in a hurry which for a CS instrument is BS. Is it something trivial? Perhaps, but if this one little step can’t be executed blindfolded, what else was just “ slopped together “ . I’ve never been one do go over an instrument with an anal microscope but this and how wonky the nut to bridge string alignment is, damn. Hopefully someone that works for Gibson CS is on this site and sees this. Check out this alignment lol I honestly don’t know how I missed this when I bought it .. maybe I had my rose colored shades on.
Woah. That's your guitar? I'd be returning it.
 

AA00475Bassman

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 26, 2016
Messages
3,769
Very nice guitar you should be happy - you can't beat a Historic they all seem to have some character !
 
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