Introduction: How to Remove the Pick Guard on Your Guitar Hero Controller for Under $1, Basically Free!
This works with only the original Guitar Hero Gibson SG Controllers..
You can remove the pick guard and give it a paint job, or whatever, but I hope you like my Instructable!
Items Needed:
Screwdrivers.
It is under $1.00 because you probably already have screwdrivers.
Step 1: Removing the Back of the Guitar.
Ok, flip over your guitar and remove all the screws on the back.
You have to unscrew the neck of the guitar too. There should be around 5.
Unscrew all the screws on the back, There should be something around 11.
When you finish doing that, move onto the next step.
Step 2: Almost Done..
Now, look for the main circuit board... it's directly in the middle..
You see how there is 4 screws, 1 in each corner right?
Remove all 4 of those.
Now, look at the neck. There should be 2 screws on each side of the board of where the buttons are. Unscrew those both.
When you finish that, move onto the next step.
Step 3: Doing More Stuff!
Pull the circuit board for the buttons backwards, but don't rip or damage anything. Since the button circuit board is off, the MAIN circuit board should be able to come off backwards.
Now, look at the controller... you can see an outline of the pick guard. There should be 9 screws. Unscrew ALL of those. Then the pick guard should come off.
Then, move onto the next step.
Step 4: Put It All Back Together.
Now, when you remove the pick guard, screw everything back in (except for the pick guard's screws.)
Put everything back together, and you're done!
Now go give your pick guard a paint job or add in some kill switches where the pick guard used to be!
Thanks for checking out my Instructable, rate it if you want.
Sorry about not having the picture of the pick guard.. but if you do it then you'll know what it is.
-GorillazMiko

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31 Comments
12 years ago on Introduction
your controller looks like a knock off i can tell this because a real guitar hero controller has a switch that takes the whole top off
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
not the controller for the first game. the first and second games guitars were all one unit that did not come apart. guitar hero 3's les paul model could come apart though. you could take off the faceplate and the neck was removable. guitar hero 1 and 2 used a gibson sg model, which is what is in the pictures. hes not using a knock off.
14 years ago on Introduction
after you take it off spray paint it shiny black and then put it back on that's how it looks cool.
14 years ago on Introduction
just made a new guitar hero instructable :)
https://www.instructables.com/id/Guitar-Hero-Fret-Buttons-Mod/
14 years ago on Introduction
on the guitar hero 3 controller theres a button to take that off
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Yeah well this is for Guitar Hero and Guitar Hero II.
14 years ago on Introduction
whats a pick guard?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Okay, on real guitars, pick guards are... basically pick guards.. they keep the guitar from getting scratched by the pick. But on the Guitar Hero Controllers, they just looks cool.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
if they look cool, why did you take it off?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Because it looks even cooler.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
cool!
14 years ago on Introduction
is it just me or do you have two printers?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
I have about three.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
lol wtf? where did this come from :-P?
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Just have them. My dad. Also have a scanner, about 5 copy/ printer machines at work.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
lol same w my dad but hes got way more (he photographer xD)
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
My dad works for this printing company thing. No, not Kinkos. :P
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
wow mines on the fritz at the moment lol
14 years ago on Introduction
i was just checking this out last night hahaha have you seen the led buttons one? i think im gonig to do both to my guitar hero 3 controller
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
Yeah, I wish I could do that. I can't though, don't have the stuff.