“PS Custom” Pickguard for Hamer Chaparral 12’s

a custom pickguard for your Hamer CH-12 or B12L Bass

By Philip Snyder

Here is the pattern for the pickguard and the directions for making it. You may want to go to the Warmoth website to see what material options are available.

Print out the pattern and cut it out. Fit the paper pattern on your bass to see that the openings for the pickups line up and fit properly. Make any adjustments needed and trace the revised pattern on another sheet of paper. Cut out the new pattern and trace it onto the clear protective film on the face of the blank pickguard material of your choice. Also mark where the screws will go. A Sharpie is good for this.

Drill a couple of small holes in the area outside of the pickguard and where the pickguard screws will go on the finished piece. Be sure that the holes in the pickguard area are the correct size for the screws you will be using to attach it to the bass. Pickguard screws can be purchased at any music store, and for this design you will need six of them. Screw the material to a piece of wood that is at least as large as the pickguard area, a 1x6 piece of lumber makes a good backing. This will prevent the material from splintering while cutting.

Using a band saw, cut the pickguard out following the lines drawn on the film. Go slowly! Unless you have lots of material laying around this is a one-shot deal.

Take the cut pickguard and countersink the screw holes so that the screws fit flush with the face of the pickguard. Be sure to use a sharp tool and go slowly as this can splinter the material as well. Then take a medium file and carefully file an even bevel around the pickguard. Don't bevel the area around the pickups. After that take a very fine piece of sandpaper and smooth out the bevel to a professional finish.

Lay the pickguard on the bass and mark the screw holes in the instrument with a small nail. Drill the holes 1/4" deep into the body and attach the pickguard. With the leftover material, trace the stock truss-rod cover on the protective film and repeat the steps above to make a matching truss-rod cover for the headstock.