Picguard Sizes

L

Lachezar Dochev

New member
Hi all!

I'm new to this community... :)
I have a Mexican Strat H/S/S with Floyd Rose and I'm thinking of changing the pickguard. Are all 11hole strat pickups the same or do they differ in size? My biggest worry is that my strat is with 21 frets, whereas most are with 22. My logic goes that the pickguard should be different than the one for 22 frets. Or am I wrong?

Any advice?

Thanks!
 
Re: Picguard Sizes

Welcome to the forum.

On the majority of 22 fret Stratocasters, the last fret is on a fingerboard extension, beyond the neck joint "pocket". The pickguard tucks beneath the extension.

Fender USA and Mexico pickguards should be of the exact same outline. They are made in the same factory.

Potential problem areas are the shaping around the vibrato bridge and the positioning of the fastening screws. At different times in the history of the Stratocaster, the number and position of screws has changed. Additionally, the FR-licensed vibrato forces at least one screw out of the traditional position.

The solution is to purchase a Fender pickguard specifically for a FR-equiped Stratocaster.
 
Re: Picguard Sizes

Thank you Funkfingers!

Now I see a noticeable difference in what seems to be the position of the mid pickup of my 21 fret model and the pickguards offered online. The rest of the details seem to be matching...
Just wrote to Fender Customer support. Will post their reply.
 
Re: Picguard Sizes

I replaced my MIM pickguard with one from Carvin
All but one screw matched up
The one just above the middle pickup

The guard covers the unused screw hole

And if I return to a standard guard
The standard will cover the Carvins odd hole



*(Sent from my durned phone!)*
 
Re: Picguard Sizes

I asume you want to put there a new HSS pickguard but I did not read that in your original message. FYI I once tried to put a SSS on my MIM HSS strat and the hole for the slanted bridge single coil does overlaop with the wood, you see there FloydRose requires some extra wood that makes the slanted single coil not possible.

And 21 fret + FloydRose means very easy and quick change of pickguard, you don't need to restring the guitar or remove the neck. Just loose the strings, remove the bridge springs and the keep the clamp at the nut, that way you can remove the bridge and put it back in a snap! That is what I have done with my 21 fret + FR guitar for years, that is good when you need to make frequent changes to a pickguard when chasing for your favorite tone.
 
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