Before you continue to read this section - Please Read the Disclaimer which is also on various other parts of this site.
The process I will be describing applies to most of the Scratch-plates that I would normally make.
MATERIALS
For this example I going to
make a scratch-plate with a "Birds-eye-Maple"
veneer top, a black plastic
laminate in the middle and a plain
Maple veneer underneath. This gives a
nice contrast with the lighter coloured top and bottom and black centre giving a
striped effect on the edge.
Veneers and plastic laminates can be purchased from good Luthiers suppliers... David
Dyke at "Luthier's
Supplies" is a very good example.
There is a link on my Links
page.
PATTERNS
First of all you need a pattern
to work from. In this case, the original
scratchplate I'm replacing on a guitar is
available so it can initially be used to work out the sizes
of the sheet materials required.
It can also be used to make a master
pattern that will be used to get the size,
outline
and details
correct when the scratch-plate is shaped and has the pickup
and screw holes
routed and drilled.
TOOLS
A firm flat surface
- one you won't mind getting mucked up and scratched - some sort of sheet
material like ply or chipboard.
Some good lighting - an angle-poise lamp is
good.
Initially you need a biro or pencil (I
prefer biros as they make a uniform line a set distance
from any edge you draw round).
A ruler or straight edge - preferably metal.
A very sharp blade.
Finally - you need some peace and quiet so
you can get on and have a go ! ;0)
I'll get back to this as soon as I can... "Famous Last Words"
In the mean time - Please Read the Disclaimer