What does confirming a PDF file mean?

It means DO NOT just eyeball it and assume it's good.

It means that you have printed the PDF file at 100% scale and either:

     • Placed your original pick guard on the outline to see if it all lines up properly
     • Cut out the outline with a pair of scissors and placed it on your guitar to check the fit.

Printing at 100% scale involves making sure the when the printer dialog appears for your printer when you send the file to print you want to look for an option that allows you to either fit the file to the page or turn page scaling OFF. you want to be sure any page scaling is set to OFF. You do NOT want to have the file fit to page as it will not be accurate. It looks roughly like this image.

You can confirm you have printed at 100% scale by measuring the dimension lines provided on the PDF file.

Many pick guards are too big to fit on a standard size sheet of printer paper. In many cases the files are set up on what is known as a Tabloid (17" x 11") size sheet of paper, landscape oriented. I realize that most people do not have the capability to print this size. A solution would be to take the file to a copy Service Bureau like KINKO's to have it printed at 100% scale.

If you have trouble with PDF files then the other options are:

    • Send a Self Addressed Stamped Envelope with a request for a physical copy of an outline to:
       Terrapin Guitars, PO Box 11565, Eugene, OR 97440.
    • Order a Laser Cut PDF file which is more rigid and allows you to check the fit better or dial in a custom        template etc. Any modifications beyond leaving something off or changing pickup or control configuration will result in an additional template fee if you decide to proceed with an order..

I realize this can all be a bit of a pain because most of you want to buy it easy online. This industry has very little consistency so I try and make every effort to provide you with resources to help you get the pick guard you need the first time around. I wish I had a dollar for every time people have told me they bought several pick guards in the search for one that would fit. I feel that providing these files should help you save time and money in the long run.

I want to work with you to make sure you get what you are looking for. Please realize I won't be able to help everybody with every possible pick guard situation.

Remember that if you don't see it on the site then I may still be able to help. I can make just about any pick guard from an original or a tracing.