Black P/G & rings on orange 5420 ?

[VRomanojr]

Has anyone switched out to a black pickguard and black pickup rings on their orange 5420? I see that Gretsch uses black on a few models but I don't find anywhere to buy them (if I end up liking the look). I know Quickguards but they are a standard Gretsch item so should be for sale somewhere, right?

 

[drmilktruck]

There's a cheap black 5420 Pickguard on Reverb:

Custom Guitar Pickguard For Gretsch G5120 G5420T ,Singly-ply Black

For the pickup rings, buy these:

Genuine Clear Filtertron Pickup Ring / Bezel

Buy cheap black spray paint. Tape off the top and spray a coat or two on the bottom.

For $35 you got what you want. Or I'll do it for you for $60.

 

[VRomanojr]

There's a cheap black 5420 Pickguard on Reverb:

Custom Guitar Pickguard For Gretsch G5120 G5420T ,Singly-ply Black

For the pickup rings, buy these:

Genuine Clear Filtertron Pickup Ring / Bezel

Buy cheap black spray paint. Tape off the top and spray a coat or two on the bottom.

For $35 you got what you want. Or I'll do it for you for $60.

I saw those on Reverb. I was hoping for OEM with the Gretsch imprint but might have to go with those.
I was thinking about spray painting but didn't think about the clear and paint black underneath. Thanks for that tip. Again, they are a Gretsch OEM item so should be available out in the world.

 

[Randy99CL]

Do you ebay? I found a place in Texas that sells a 3-ply black pickguard for $16 and free shipping. When I look closely at the pics the edges look a little rough but will be easy to sand smooth. He may have an all-black one, I didn't look.
I have no affiliation or experience with the seller.

Guitar Pickguard For Gretsch G5120 G5420T Style Guitar Parts,3 Ply Black | eBay

It's a quality guitar pickguard. Construction Quality material - 3 Ply Black.

www.ebay.com

​

 

[drmilktruck]

I saw those on Reverb. I was hoping for OEM with the Gretsch imprint but might have to go with those.
I was thinking about spray painting but didn't think about the clear and paint black underneath. Thanks for that tip. Again, they are a Gretsch OEM item so should be available out in the world.

I agree with you but I've never seen Gretsch branded black pickup rings.

 

[VRomanojr]

Do you ebay? I found a place in Texas that sells a 3-ply black pickguard for $16 and free shipping. When I look closely at the pics the edges look a little rough but will be easy to sand smooth. He may have an all-black one, I didn't look.
I have no affiliation or experience with the seller.

Guitar Pickguard For Gretsch G5120 G5420T Style Guitar Parts,3 Ply Black | eBay

It's a quality guitar pickguard. Construction Quality material - 3 Ply Black.

www.ebay.com

​

I put that on my watch list last night. If I can't find a real Gretsch I'll go for either this or a Reverb one.

 

[VRomanojr]

I agree with you but I've never seen Gretsch branded black pickup rings.

Black pickguards and rings are standard on a few 5420 models so they should be for sale somewhere. With my last Triumph motorcycle I had blow-up, expanded views of all parts of the bike. If I needed a screw or nut or whatever, there was a part number and usually numerous places I could get reproductions or substitutions for everything. If I take off the pickguard and then lose the tiny wood screws that hold the bracket I should be able to refer to a drawing for the part number and order it. I've got to be sure not to lose those tiny screws!

 

[FiveAces]

My 5120 with Black PG.... took the original clear PG and painted it black on the back side... BUT, I first got a vendor to reproduce a reverse image vinyl "Gretsch" sticker and applied it on the backside before I painted it ...... came out great! I chose to go with silver painted PU rings.

 

[VRomanojr]

My 5120 with Black PG.... took the original clear PG and painted it black on the back side... BUT, I first got a vendor to reproduce a reverse image vinyl "Gretsch" sticker and applied it on the backside before I painted it ...... came out great! I chose to go with silver painted PU rings.
View attachment 178921

That's what I wanted to see! Yeah, I like that and no need to change out my silver rings. Thanks for the pic!

 

[FiveAces]

That's what I wanted to see! Yeah, I like that and no need to change out my silver rings. Thanks for the pic!

Yeah... My 5120 originally had the chrome rings with the Gretschbucker pickups. I found a used set of Blacktop Filtertrons with the silver painted plastic rings from a 5420. The black PG carries the orange & black theme nicely, especially since the headstock is also black.

 

[DECEMBER]

You can get custom pickguards from PickguardPlanet.com. I don't know if they make rings, maybe if they're the flat kind.

 

[Henry]

Black pickguards and rings are standard on a few 5420 models so they should be for sale somewhere. With my last Triumph motorcycle I had blow-up, expanded views of all parts of the bike. If I needed a screw or nut or whatever, there was a part number and usually numerous places I could get reproductions or substitutions for everything. If I take off the pickguard and then lose the tiny wood screws that hold the bracket I should be able to refer to a drawing for the part number and order it. I've got to be sure not to lose those tiny screws!

Should be perhaps. But are there? I've never seen black OEM pickup rings for sale. Nor the metal ones that used to be on some electromatics.

My jet has them stock.

 

[FiveAces]

Should be perhaps. But are there? I've never seen black OEM pickup rings for sale. Nor the metal ones that used to be on some electromatics.

My jet has them stock. View attachment 178985

I've casually looked over the years for Stock black pu rings for my 5120 and the only ones I've ever seen were the clear ones modified by being painted black on the back side.... they look original, but I haven't seen them sold that way. Did you buy your Jet brand new?

Update... well,you can find hokey black PVC flat or solid pu rings in black on eBay, etc. But none I've seen look original. The clear ones simply painted black on the back side (pretty much what the factory does) look the most original and probably the best way to go!

 

[Henry]

I've casually looked over the years for Stock black pu rings for my 5120 and the only ones I've ever seen were the clear ones modified by being painted black on the back side.... they look original, but I haven't seen them sold that way. Did you buy your Jet brand new?

I bought this jet used but it is still stock except for the bridge, knobs and straplocks. These were sold only around 2013-2014 although recently they brought back this dark cherry metallic color. Model is 6128T-DCM.

 

[FiveAces]

I bought this jet used but it is still stock except for the bridge, knobs and straplocks. These were sold only around 2013-2014 although recently they brought back this dark cherry metallic color. Model is 6128T-DCM.

That's good to know.
Also worth mentioning.... The 5420's have the BT FilterTro pickups that would have the 3 height adj. screws on the pu rings, as opposed to the Classic FilterTron pickups on the Pro models. So you'd have to be sure they have the appropriate added holes or you'd have to drill them yourself.... just sayin'

 

[VRomanojr]

That's good to know.
Also worth mentioning.... The 5420's have the BT FilterTro pickups that would have the 3 height adj. screws on the pu rings, as opposed to the Classic FilterTron pickups on the Pro models. So you'd have to be sure they have the appropriate added holes or you'd have to drill them yourself.... just sayin'

I've seen the 5420 PVC ones for sale. I think that's what Quickguards has. I don't think I've seen 5420/BT clear pickup rings for sale anywhere. I've seen the Classic ones. Not sure if any 5420 came factory with clear rings. They do come with black rings and black pickguard so should be available somewhere........

 

[Ricochet]

I bought black Roswell Gretsch style PU rings from the Music store in Germany. Cheap. Might be the same as they sell on Ebay, dunno, but I like them. At least they don't crack when I sneeze.

 

[gretschdog]

Has anyone switched out to a black pickguard and black pickup rings on their orange 5420? I see that Gretsch uses black on a few models but I don't find anywhere to buy them (if I end up liking the look). I know Quickguards but they are a standard Gretsch item so should be for sale somewhere, right?

Hey! I had a pick guard made, and found the retro logo decal on line. I didnt even think about the p.u. rings. I may even splurge for a leopard skin guard and truss rod cover in the future.

 

[Sacco Belmonte]

I made my 5420t a Jazz guitar by installing a Gibson pickup. Best decision ever, sounds like a Joe Pass Archtop. (I had to buy a special frame for it)

I didn't like the original neck pickup as I'm not a country/rockabilly player. They sound good, don't get me wrong, it was not the tone I liked. I can still use the bridge one and blend some twang mixed in if I want.

 

[Tele295]

Black pickguards are a popular upgrade for some people. In my case, I liked the look of the ‘59 Tennessean I once had, so I found a real black gretsch ‘guard (right here on Gretsch-Talk!)

Old ‘59 shown for reference