З Epiphone Casino Pickguard Black

Black pickguard for Epiphone Casino offers a sleek, durable upgrade with a classic look. Perfect fit, easy installation, enhances instrument aesthetics and protects the body from wear.

Epiphone Casino Pickguard Black for Classic Guitar Style and Durability

Start by unplugging the guitar. Not the amp. The guitar. (I learned this the hard way – once I left the strings on and snapped the bridge.) Remove the screws securing the pickguard. There are four, two on each side. Use a Phillips #1 bit. If it’s stuck, don’t force it. Gently pry with a plastic pick or a flathead screwdriver wrapped in tape. You don’t need to be a mechanic, but you do need to be careful.

Now, check the routing. The old guard might have left behind old adhesive or warped plastic. Clean the area with isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth. If the holes are misaligned, don’t panic – this happens. Use a small drill bit (1/8 inch) to slightly enlarge the screw holes. But only if necessary. Don’t overdo it. You’re not building a spaceship.

Align the new piece. I used a vintage-style guard with a slightly thicker profile. It fits snugly. Slide it in from the back. Make sure the control cavity opening lines up with the potentiometer holes. If it doesn’t, rotate it 180 degrees. (Yes, I tried it the wrong way first. It looked like a rejected prototype.) Once it sits flush, secure it with the screws. Tighten just enough to hold. Over-tightening cracks the plastic.

Reconnect the wiring. The ground wire from the bridge or pickup cover goes to the back of the volume pot. I used a solderless terminal block – faster, cleaner. Test the connection with a multimeter. If the circuit’s open, re-solder. Don’t skip this. I once played a gig with a loose ground and the hum was worse than a bad slot machine on a Friday night.

Final check: play a chord. No buzzing. No rattling. The guard doesn’t move. The strings don’t touch it. The tone’s clean. If it feels off, recheck the alignment. (I did. Twice. Once with a flashlight.) You’re not done until it feels right. Not perfect. Right.

Common Pitfalls When Swapping Out the Front Plate and How to Dodge Them

First rule: don’t just yank the old piece off like it’s a sticker. I’ve seen people snap the plastic tabs on the Top Lydia Slot Machines edge–(you know, the ones that hold the control cavity in place) and suddenly you’re staring at a cracked chassis. Use a thin spudger, not your fingernail. And yes, it’s a pain, but it’s faster than replacing the whole body.

Second: the wiring. That little ribbon cable behind the pickup selector? It’s not glued down. I once pulled it loose during a swap and spent 45 minutes tracing a short. Check the connector orientation before you unplug. One pin misaligned and you’re dead in the water.

Third: the routing. If you’re replacing a worn-out front plate, the routing on the new one might not match the old. I used a template from a forum post and still had a 0.8mm gap under the bridge. It’s not cosmetic–your strings will buzz. Use a router with a 3mm bit, follow the original path exactly, and sand the edge smooth before installing.

Fourth: the finish. New plates are often glossy. If you’re going for a vintage look, you’ll need to hand-sand the surface to a matte sheen. I used 800-grit paper and a microfiber cloth. No power tools. No shortcuts. (Trust me, the shine ruins the vibe.)

And finally–don’t skip the alignment. I once got the new piece on crooked because I didn’t check the pickup height first. The bridge was off by 1.5mm. Fixed it with a feeler gauge. Always measure from the top of the pickup to the bottom of the string at the 12th fret. Standard is 1.5mm for the bass, 1.3mm for the treble.

Aligning the Black Pickguard with Original Epiphone Casino Electronics

Start by pulling the old plate off–don’t just yank it. Check the routing. If the holes don’t match the wiring harness, you’re in trouble. I’ve seen this happen twice on vintage units. The original pickup cavity is 1.75 inches wide, and the jack socket must align with the factory routing. If it’s off by even 1/16th, the wire bundle will kink. That’s a dead end.

Use a 3mm drill bit to clean the screw holes. Old threads strip easy. Tap them with a 3mm tap if needed. Don’t skip this–trust me, the first time you hear the pickup crackle when you plug in, you’ll wish you’d done it right.

Check the ground wire. It’s not just a wire–it’s the anchor. If it’s not soldered directly to the bridge ground point, you’ll get hum. Full stop. I had a 60Hz whine that drove me nuts until I traced it back to a loose ground on the back of the volume pot.

Wiring color codes? Stick to the original. Black to ground, white to the neck pickup, red to the bridge. If you mix them, the phase flips. That’s not just a tweak–it’s a tone killer. I once swapped red and white. The pickup sounded like it was underwater.

Test the switch. Toggle it. If the pickup cuts out mid-switch, the contacts are dirty. Clean with contact cleaner. Spray it, wait 30 seconds, cycle the switch 10 times. No shortcuts.

Final check: plug in a guitar. Play a chord. Listen for any crackle, buzz, or sudden drop in volume. If it’s clean, you’re good. If not, pull it all apart and start over. There’s no “almost” in electronics.

Pro Tip: Soldering Iron Temp

Use 650°F. Not 700. Not 600. 650. Too hot, and you’ll melt the solder mask. Too cold, and you get cold joints. I learned this the hard way–my first rewire had three cold joints. One popped open after two hours of gigging.

Top Tips for Preserving the Finish and Performance of the Pickguard

Wipe it down after every session–no exceptions. A microfiber cloth, dry and lint-free, is all you need. (I’ve seen players skip this and come back to a sticky, fingerprint-laden surface that looks like a crime scene.)

Never use alcohol, acetone, or household cleaners. They strip the finish fast. Even a single wipe with a “general-purpose” spray can leave a ghost of residue that attracts dust and grime over time.

Store the guitar in a hardshell case. Not the gig bag. Not the closet. The case. (I once left mine leaning against a wall for a week–dust, humidity, and a tiny dent from a loose strap. Not worth the risk.)

Keep your hands clean. Sweat, oils, and lotion degrade the surface. If you’re sweating through a set, pause and wipe your hands. No one cares if you’re “in the zone”–your gear does.

Don’t rest the instrument on the pickguard when playing. Use a strap or stand. Every time you lean into it, you’re creating micro-scratches. They add up. You’ll feel them in the texture before you see them.

Check the edges monthly. If the finish starts to lift or peel, don’t wait. Apply a thin layer of clear nitrocellulose lacquer–only if you’re confident in the application. (I tried a quick fix once and ended up with a blotchy mess. Learn from my mistake.)

Use a pickguard protector if you’re a heavy player. Not a sticker. A real, thin, flexible film that bonds to the surface. It’s not invisible, but it’s better than a scratched, worn-out surface.

Don’t stack gear on top of the instrument. A pedal, a tuner, a cable–anything with weight or rough edges. That’s how you get dents and abrasions.

When cleaning, don’t press hard. Use light, circular motions. The finish is thin. Pressure = damage. I’ve seen players rub like they’re polishing a car–nope. That’s how you sand it down.

Keep it away from direct sunlight and heat sources. A window ledge? A radiator? Bad idea. UV rays fade the color. Heat warps the plastic. I’ve seen a once-sharp edge turn soft and wavy after a summer gig.

Inspect the screws periodically. Loose ones can pull the surface out of alignment. Tighten them with a precision screwdriver–don’t overdo it. (I’ve stripped a few screws. Learned the hard way.)

• Wipe after every use
• Use only microfiber and water
• Store in a hard case
• Keep hands clean
• Avoid pressure on the surface
• Check for lifting edges monthly
• Use a protective film if needed
• Never stack gear on top
• Don’t press hard when cleaning
• Keep away from heat and sun
• Check screw tightness

Real talk: if you’re not doing this, you’re already losing.

It’s not about looking good. It’s about keeping the integrity of the surface. A cracked or warped piece affects how the guitar feels under your hand. And that changes how you play.

One bad habit? One missed wipe? That’s the start of a slow decline. You don’t notice it until it’s too late.

So do it. Now. Before the next gig. Before the next session. Before the next mistake.

Questions and Answers:

How does the black pickguard on the Epiphone Casino affect the guitar’s overall look?

The black pickguard on the Epiphone Casino gives the instrument a clean, sleek appearance that stands out against the natural wood finish of the body. It adds a touch of contrast that enhances the guitar’s vintage aesthetic while keeping the design simple and focused. The solid black color doesn’t distract from the guitar’s classic lines but instead complements them, making the instrument look more polished and ready for stage or studio. It also helps protect the body from scratches and wear around the pickup area, which is especially useful during regular playing.

Is the black pickguard on the Epiphone Casino made from the same material as the original models?

The black pickguard on the Epiphone Casino is typically made from a durable plastic material, similar to what was used in original 1960s models. While the exact composition may vary slightly between production batches, the material is designed to mimic the look and feel of the vintage version. It’s not made from wood or metal but from a rigid, impact-resistant plastic that resists cracking and fading over time. This choice keeps the guitar lightweight and affordable while maintaining a consistent appearance across different units.

Can I replace the black pickguard on my Epiphone Casino with a different color or style?

Yes, it’s possible to replace the black pickguard on an Epiphone Casino with a different color or style, though it requires some care and basic tools. The pickguard is held in place with small screws, so removing it involves unscrewing those fasteners and carefully lifting the guard off. After removing it, you can install a new one—either a different color like white or cream, or a custom design with a different shape or finish. Keep in mind that not all aftermarket pickguards fit perfectly, so checking dimensions and screw hole alignment is important. Some players also choose to modify the original guard by sanding or painting it to match their preferred look.

Does the black pickguard influence the sound or performance of the Epiphone Casino?

The black pickguard itself does not affect the sound or performance of the Epiphone Casino. It’s purely a cosmetic and protective component. The guitar’s tone and playability come from the body wood, pickups, neck construction, and electronics. The pickguard sits on top of the body and doesn’t alter how the strings vibrate or how the pickups capture the signal. However, it does help keep the area around the pickups clean and free from damage, which can indirectly contribute to long-term reliability. If the pickguard is damaged or loose, it might cause minor noise issues if it rubs against the body, but this is rare and easily fixed.

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