G&L pickguard materials, re Will Ray model

[NickHorne]

Please could anyone tell me whether G&L's single-ply pickguard material is differs in thickness / rigidity from their 3-ply or mirror materials?

I'm finally exploring the online Guitar Builder - and it's great!
I've been evolving the details of a G&L order for a while now, for a second Will Ray model.
My first one is a fantastic instrument, and although it had a less-than-ideal youth before it was mine, I'm certain it will soon be as good as new. I have no intention of parting with it, but I do intend to have another, with a number 4 neck and stainless frets, for the most extreme bending / fingerpicking duty.
After seeing the correspondence about the finish options for the WR (and accepting that I won't get skulls in my no 4 neck, though perhaps that's just as well as I've got a bit the far side of 60 now...) this set me off playing with colours etc on the Builder.

And what I find is that I keep going back to Lemondrop on Ash, with a plain white pickguard. Looks just beautiful!

But this raises the one question: is a plain (single-ply) guard thinner than a 3-ply or a mirror? I'm just wondering about its rigidity as a mounting for three hefty Z-coils. I may be worrying too much here (though I've seldom found that to be a bad thing when getting an instrument just right). If it is thinner, I'm sure I could laminate it up inside (in the are of the pickup rout) with hardwood or carbon, but I'd be very grateful if anyone could tell me, so I can continue planning ahead on this.

Fabulous instrument! I believe it was one of Leo Fender's last creations; it's really something.

[KenC]

Nick,

I don't know the answer, but I remember there being some discussion about this same topic on the LE 2 development threads when we decided on a Lemondrop finish. You might find a quick answer there.

Ken

[yowhatsshakin]

Hi Nick,

Here is the 'slate' of pickguards available from Chandler. You'll notice that there is a slight variance in thickness ranging from .060" (for some single ply, most are .070") up to .125" (for mirror guards). Most 3-ply are .090". So that should answer your question. The G&L model pickguards and their prices are listed here.

Hope this helps,

- Jos

[helle-man]

Hi Nick,
I don't really know about your pickguard question, but I'd love to see what the lemondrop looks like on a WR. Please post pics if you end up getting one. Sounds very cool.

[NickHorne]

Thanks everyone, I think I can work it out now.
I must find out whether G&L will supply all of Chandler's material options; I seem to recall they did an extra-thick singleply.

And yes, I think it will look really nice. Out of the ones that pop out at me, i.e.
Silver flake / mirror (got that one, and keeping it too)
Turqoise flake / mirror (always loved it, but went looking for an alternative cos I have the silver);
Clear Orange (somehow I love this better on a Classic, something to do with the pickguard size, though perhaps a Tor-Tis type singleply, translucent torty might go well....);
But the Lemondrop / single white looks just great, sort of a tangy take on classic Leo looks. Having the white single stops it drawing attention to itself. I like black pups on this.
I'm very pleased you like the idea too, Will. Your model is great.