Volume and tone markers

[BradHK]

Anybody have a good source for replacement volume and tone “nail” markers? I need some for my 1968 Starfire IV as a previous owner sanded them down flat when they removed the original finish. I am refinishing the guitar and would like to put in new markers after the refin. Thanks and photo below:

 

[Guildedagain]

Pins with the appropriate head is your best best. Cut off the excess, glue it in with white glue.

Some antique pins out there on eBay etc might have a nicer domed head than anything you can find now.

 

[SFIV1967]

There are a few threads about them here on LTG, just quickly found those two:

Volume pointer nails, where to find?

Anyone know a source for the round headed pointers Guild inset into the body on archtops? I'm missing one, and of course it bugs me.

letstalkguild.com

The little volume/tone indicator rivets on Guild electrics?

Vintage Guild electrics had little rivets near the knobs-kind of like the Gibson pointers. Where can I get these?

letstalkguild.com

Ralf

 

[BradHK]

Thanks for the responses everybody. I will start hunting around to see if I can find something that looks correct. All the ones I have found so far appear to not be as rounded but I ordered some just to compare. Thanks again and if I find a good match I will post the source.

 

[SFIV1967]

The correct term for such a nail is: "Escutcheon pin".

The correct size was given here, just as example where to search maybe (those are not the right size):

Catalog

We are your trusted source for quality antique and woodworking essentials for restoration projects, furniture building & more. Discover Kennedy Hardware today!

www.kennedyhardware.com

Ralf

 

[BradHK]

The correct term for such a nail is: "Escutcheon pin".

The correct site was given here, that is a possible example without having checked the size:

Catalog

We are your trusted source for quality antique and woodworking essentials for restoration projects, furniture building & more. Discover Kennedy Hardware today!

www.kennedyhardware.com

View attachment 50341

Ralf

The link is to a 15 gauge escutcheon pin. From a quick search, a 15 gauge pin has a head diameter too large. A 18 gauge should be correct as the head dimensions are 0.098” which matches the measurements required. Below is a link to an escutcheon pin that should work. I just ordered a box (which means and I can restore hundreds of vintage guilds and never run out!):

BRASS ESCUTCHEON PIN #18 X 1/2 Nickel Plated

 

[SFIV1967]

Below is a link to an escutcheon pin that should work. I just ordered a box (which means and I can restore hundreds of vintage guilds and never run out!):

BRASS ESCUTCHEON PIN #18 X 1/2 Nickel Plated

Yes sorry, the above was just to give you ideas how and where to search.
So what you found (left) seems to be the perfect one if I compare this with the original one (right)! Looking forward to pictures when you get them.



Ralf

 

[BradHK]

Yes sorry, the above was just to give you ideas how and where to search. So what you found seems to be the perfect one! Looking forward to pictures when you get them.

Ralf

Thanks and yes, I misunderstood. I was trying to be lazy and hoped somebody had found the perfect match and had posted a link. “escutcheon pin” helped the search tremendously and hopefully these work. I will report back. Thanks again

 

[BradHK]

I received the escutcheon pins from the link above in post #6. They look like a perfect match to the originals! Below is a photo with a new pin beside an original in a 1965 Freshman:

 

[GGJaguar]

Excellent! I can't tell the difference.

 

[Minnesota Flats]

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

 

[JohnW63]

I would be scared to death tapping that spike into a guitar top.

 

[hearth_man]

I received the escutcheon pins from the link above in post #6. They look like a perfect match to the originals! Below is a photo with a new pin beside an original in a 1965 Freshman:

They look like a great match. I have a late 90's X-150 that does not have them as well. It looks like all you would need to do is drill a pilot hole just large enough to press the pin into the top. Nice.

 

[hearth_man]

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

Mcmaster-Carr p/n- 97936A109, brass #18 x 3/8" pack of 300 for $3.18, good call Flats!

 

[Minnesota Flats]

Mcmaster-Carr p/n- 97936A109, brass #18 x 3/8" pack of 300 for $3.18, good call Flats!

Probably enough for Grot to get started on a re-do of his collection...

 

[lungimsam]

I would be scared to death tapping that spike into a guitar top.

I would drill a snug pilot hole first. Just enough to friction fit the pin by little more effort than pushing that my bare thumb could do.

 

[hearth_man]

I went ahead and ordered the pins from McMaster-Carr and installed them into my 1998 X-150. Brings this guitar up to snuff with all the older Guild archtops and semi-hollow bodies. Why the pins weren't added to these late 90's X-150's who knows? Maybe the same reason Fender put their own version of the HB-1 pickups in them. Oh that was another change I made to this guitar. I don't like the Fender HB-1 pickups so replaced it with a Seymour Duncan Benedetto B6 top mount version of the S6 floating pickup. Huge improvement. (this is only time I have ever replaced a factory Guild pickup)
BEFORE

AFTER

 

[GGJaguar]

Looks nice. I may have to consider adding them to my X-150, X-160 and X-180.

 

[BradHK]

Looks great. There is just something about those pins that look “right” to me when I see a Guild pickguard and knobs. I am assuming you drilled a pilot hole first?

 

[hearth_man]

Yep. I drilled the pilot holes a few thousandths under size and pressed them in. Nice and snug.