Sourcing replacement scratchplate for Circa 2005 AST50

[willowgardenuk]

I am trying to source official tokai parts, specifically I want to get an anodized gold scratchplate for my AST50

I bought one that at a glance appeared to be the correct 'fit': '57 reissue type plate with the appropriate number of screw holes, but alas as the pics below show, it doesn't line up exactly:

http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee290/willowgardenuk/DSC00105.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee290/willowgardenuk/DSC00106.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee290/willowgardenuk/DSC00107.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee290/willowgardenuk/DSC00108.jpg
http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee290/willowgardenuk/DSC00109.jpg

I do not want to go about filling the existing screw holes and drilling new ones because my carpentry skills are not up to much.

I have contacted a number of companies here in the uk that do custom plates and they all gave me the same answer: "we don't do anodized scratchplates". I assume it is more difficult to work with as a material.

This leaves me trying to find the 'official' part, if indeed tokai ever made such an item.

If there's anywhere I'll get some advice on the matter it's here, so if you have any info please share it.

Thanks.

 

[JohnA]

I'm quite sure there is no genuine Tokai anodized scratchplate available. You will either have to find someone who will make you one using your existing plate as a template, or as you said, fill the holes and re-drill new ones. If you're not too concerned about marks underneath the plate then it's a pretty easy job. If you aren't confident doing this yourself then a guitar repair person shouldn't charge much to do this.

Where are you based, I'm guessing UK as you said 'scratchplate' not 'pickguard' I'm sure someone will recommend someone nearby who would do this for you.

 

[willowgardenuk]

Thanks for your reply,

I'm in Northern Ireland, I know it is a small job and I may very well have to get somebody to drill me the solution. It would be preferable not to have to do so however, should I want to sell it with the option of the original plate for example.

There are plenty of people in the UK who do custom plates, however it seems that custom anodized plates are a different matter altogether - maybe somebody here knows of a source?

Thanks.