Vintage Pickguard Restoration — Custom Replica Cut to Your Original Shape

Recently, one of my customers reached out with a pretty special project: restoring his vintage VOX Phantom XII Stereo. Anyone who knows these guitars understands how rare they are—and how crucial the pickguard is to the instrument’s unmistakable look. His original guard had taken decades of wear, tear, and outright abuse. By the time it arrived on my bench, it was literally blown out: cracked, warped, and missing chunks of material from years of heavy playing and environmental damage.

He mailed me the remains of that original guard and another he found without any text on it so I could study every contour, screw position, and bevel. Even in its rough condition, it still carried the history of the instrument, and replicating it meant honoring that legacy while giving the guitar a fresh start.

After carefully tracing and rebuilding the shape, I fabricated a brand‑new replacement out of bright white acrylic—clean, crisp, and true to the Phantom XII’s classic aesthetic. In the photo below, you can see the dramatic contrast between the guard he sent me and the one I sent back: the battered original sitting underneath the pristine, freshly cut replica. It’s always satisfying to see that before‑and‑after moment, especially on a guitar as iconic as this one.

Projects like this are a reminder of why I love restoration work. Every piece tells a story, and every replica gives a vintage instrument a second life.

CLICK HERE to see the listings for my custom pickguards

If your restoration project has hit a wall and you can’t find the right pickguard, don’t worry—I’ve got you. Reach out with your project details, and I’ll help you rebuild the guard you’re missing, either as a faithful vintage‑style replica or a custom design cut perfectly to your guitar’s original outline.  

CLICK HERE to message me your project ideas