Vintage or 8 Hole Pickguard

dbrun002 · July 4th, 2009, 10:28 AM

Hey, is there a difference between a 5 hole or 8 hole pickguard sound-wise?

My dad and I are going to put a middle pickup hole in it too so I didn't know if having more screws is better for tightness thus better for the middle pickup or not.

I either have the choice of a 5 hole 1 ply blackguard from stewmac or an 8 hole bwb guard from stewmac.

I wanted the 1 ply but my tele currently has 8 holes. Sorry if I'm reading way into this

sjtalon · July 4th, 2009, 10:53 AM

No diff, other than the 5 hole would make the guitar lighter ( less screws)

yegbert · July 4th, 2009, 10:58 AM

If your Tele has 8 screw holes you can use either a 5-hole or an 8-hole. If you use the 5-hole the 3 extra screw holes are covered.

You can buy pickguards that already have the middle pickup hole.

Not all pickguards from all pickguard manufacturers have the screw holes in the same exact positions though. What model Tele do you have? Depending on that, you might have a better chance on getting the right hole fit by picking an appropriate source for the ne pickguard; or else you can wing it and fill and redrill new holes in the body if needed.

I doubt the number of plys or screw holes would affect tone. I don't worry about it anyway.

5-hole single ply was what Fender used in the '50s. That style helps creates a simpler look, and looks right to me for that '50s style. But I also like the style of the later Teles and the more dressed-up look you get with the accent of the line formed by the middle ply being a different color.

I have a Classic Series '50s Tele with the 5-hole single ply white guard and a Squier Tele I've modded for somewhat of a '50s look with a 5-hole single ply black guard. I have several others with 8-hole 3-ply.

A 5-hole guard can tend to warp, but fortunately mine have stayed relatively flat. The white guard had started to warp one time but then settled down flat again.

As long as the guard stays flat (or else you don't mind a warp), I think it's primarily a matter of stylistic preference whether 5-hole single ply or 8-hole 3-ply is appropriate.

sacizob · July 4th, 2009, 11:13 AM

If it warps, you have a place to put extra picks!

dbrun002 · July 4th, 2009, 11:31 AM

alright, thanks guys. i guess i got on that track cause i read the pickguard color affecting tone (ridiculous) but someone on there was saying about how the material and tightness of screws affects it more. but thanks for your help guys. I decided against getting a 45 dollar pickguard with 2 holes and i'll get an 11 dollar one to put a hole in it.

mellecaster · July 5th, 2009, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbrun002

i guess i got on that track cause i read the pickguard color affecting tone

AHhhh...the Internet, ain't it a Beautiful Thing......

sjtalon · July 5th, 2009, 10:07 AM

Well, a black pickguard would seem dark wouldn't it ??

July 4th, 2009, 10:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
dbrun002 TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Age: 20 Posts: 30	Vintage or 8 Hole Pickguard Hey, is there a difference between a 5 hole or 8 hole pickguard sound-wise? My dad and I are going to put a middle pickup hole in it too so I didn't know if having more screws is better for tightness thus better for the middle pickup or not. I either have the choice of a 5 hole 1 ply blackguard from stewmac or an 8 hole bwb guard from stewmac. I wanted the 1 ply but my tele currently has 8 holes. Sorry if I'm reading way into this

July 4th, 2009, 11:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
sacizob Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Middlesex County, MA Posts: 274 10 Photos	If it warps, you have a place to put extra picks! __________________ Play one wrong note and its a mistake. Play two wrong notes and its Jazz.

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July 4th, 2009, 10:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
sjtalon Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Upper Peninsula of Michigan Age: 50 Posts: 852 7 Photos	No diff, other than the 5 hole would make the guitar lighter ( less screws)

July 4th, 2009, 10:58 AM	#3 (permalink)
yegbert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Clinton, Maryland (US) Age: 55 Posts: 5,655 95 Photos	If your Tele has 8 screw holes you can use either a 5-hole or an 8-hole. If you use the 5-hole the 3 extra screw holes are covered. You can buy pickguards that already have the middle pickup hole. Not all pickguards from all pickguard manufacturers have the screw holes in the same exact positions though. What model Tele do you have? Depending on that, you might have a better chance on getting the right hole fit by picking an appropriate source for the ne pickguard; or else you can wing it and fill and redrill new holes in the body if needed. I doubt the number of plys or screw holes would affect tone. I don't worry about it anyway. 5-hole single ply was what Fender used in the '50s. That style helps creates a simpler look, and looks right to me for that '50s style. But I also like the style of the later Teles and the more dressed-up look you get with the accent of the line formed by the middle ply being a different color. I have a Classic Series '50s Tele with the 5-hole single ply white guard and a Squier Tele I've modded for somewhat of a '50s look with a 5-hole single ply black guard. I have several others with 8-hole 3-ply. A 5-hole guard can tend to warp, but fortunately mine have stayed relatively flat. The white guard had started to warp one time but then settled down flat again. As long as the guard stays flat (or else you don't mind a warp), I think it's primarily a matter of stylistic preference whether 5-hole single ply or 8-hole 3-ply is appropriate.

July 4th, 2009, 11:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
dbrun002 TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Age: 20 Posts: 30	alright, thanks guys. i guess i got on that track cause i read the pickguard color affecting tone (ridiculous) but someone on there was saying about how the material and tightness of screws affects it more. but thanks for your help guys. I decided against getting a 45 dollar pickguard with 2 holes and i'll get an 11 dollar one to put a hole in it.

July 5th, 2009, 10:07 AM	#7 (permalink)
sjtalon Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Upper Peninsula of Michigan Age: 50 Posts: 852 7 Photos	Well, a black pickguard would seem dark wouldn't it ??

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