Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

[LazyLightning]

Hi everyone, had a quick question?

Now that I have my new 60' CV Strat, I would like to change out the tortoise shell pickguard for a white one to set off the sunburst a bit better. I was wondering how hard this switch would be?

Keep in mind, I just got this Strat and it is the first time I have messed with a guitar in nearly 20 years. All the instructions I have seen online seem straight forward enough. So am I missing something, or is this something even someone like myself could do?

TIA!

Chris

 

[AlexR]

Re: Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

With strings off....Undo pickguard screws, take off pickguard, remove all hardware, put hardware onto new pickguard, install guard and screws then restring.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

righty tighty lefty loosy

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

Measure the distances between the tops of the pickups and the E strings before dismantling the electronics assembly.

For no very good reason, on an SSS Stratocaster, I try to have the 10 on the volume knob align with the height adjustment screw of the bridge position pickup. Not OCD. Not really.

 

[LazyLightning]

Re: Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

Thanks for the replies!

I hope to get the replacement next week, will update when installed!

 

[PushedCrayon]

Re: Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

It's as straight forward as it seems. I did the same thing myself, I put a white pearloid on mine. It's not tough at all, like the others have said, take the strings off, unscrew the old pickguard and take the electronics out, then put in the new stuff, screw it back in, restring it and it's all done. Goodluck

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

Is it a sss guard?

If so I have several white ones I have swapped out
Pm me your address and I'll send you the one off my MIM

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*

 

[LazyLightning]

Re: Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

Thanks for the offer ehdwuld!

pm sent.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

Take the plastic protective sheet off before you assemble. On new guitars they don't do this and it makes it a real hassle to get the tiny bits of cellophane off around the screws and knobs.

 

[LazyLightning]

Re: Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

Great tip,
Thanks Gearjoneser!

 

[LazyLightning]

Re: Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

A big thank you goes out to ehdwuld, for sending me one at no charge!

Very much appreciated!

 

[LazyLightning]

Re: Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

Forgot to mention as soon as string change time comes, I will post some before and after pics of the current 4-Ply Tortoiseshell and the newly received white.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

I think that tortoise shell probably looks Frkin great

But that's me

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

Need to make sure the replacement pickguard has the correct screw spacing/layout. Import vs domestic will not fit the same.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

Well the part of the guard without hole should cover the hole underneath

Just put a screw in where there is no hole

When changing back

The old guard will cover any "new" holes

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

It also has to fit around the neck and bridge plate and other areas as well. My American strats have wider bridge plates, so I had to file out a little bit of an import guard to try to get it to fit, but I still had problems because the holes for the pots put the furthest out pot too close to the wood of the wiring cavity and it would never sit flat.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

Should be fine , the MIM has the vintage style bridge like the CV

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

When I put the Carvin pickguard on the MIM
There was one hole at the middle pickup that was an inch off

 

[LazyLightning]

Re: Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

I have measured the spacing at the bridge and neck and best I can tell it is a perfect fit ( including the ones around the border that secure it )

I am waiting on a shipment of new strings, so hopefully I can make the switch out soon.

As for the original guard, it has grown on me. I just really prefer white against the sunburst, I have no intentions of throwing the other out so I may switch back and forth as the mood hits!

 

[LazyLightning]

Re: Changing a pickguard on a 60's CV Strat?

Minor update:

Well I finally got my new strings ( 10 pks ) not sure what took so long. I plan to do the guard switch out when I change strings near the beginning of the week. As I said above, I will post before and after shots asap!