pickguard problem

teleological · January 24th, 2008, 06:18 AM

Hi All

I just fitted a gibson minihumbucker into my MIJ 52REI. I bought it on ebay already fitted into a pickguard (apparently from a US 52 REI). I'm not much of a guitar-building type, but I thought this would be an easy job, and mostly it was. But when I came to screw down the new pickguard I discovered that a) most of the screwholes do not match up to those on the body, and b) it fits very tightly around the neck so there's no room for manoeuvre. And even if there were there'd still be some screwholes that don't line up.

I can force the screws in at an angle, or I can make new holes but they'd be too close to the old ones. Either way I guess I risk making nasty big holes in the body.

Anyone got any advice?

Coogie · January 24th, 2008, 09:44 AM

Hi,

This is very common when fititng anew pickguard - the screw holes vary from pickguard to pickguard and from guitar to guitar.

Assuming none of the old screw holes are visable outside of the pickguard perimiter the solution is easy. Stuff the existing screw holes with wooden toothpicks that have been dipped in woodglue so that each screw hole is filled completely. Leave them sticking out and allow plenty of time to dry (overnight). Then remove the excess using a utliity blade very carefully utting flush to the body - mind your finish! You might want to do several passes on each toothpick to get it really flush to the surface.

Line up your pickguard and mark the new screwholes and drill pilot holes to receive the screws. Even if the new screw holes are very close to the old ones this will work.

If you don't want to do this why not cut out the old pickguard to fit the humbucker. Use the new pickguard's humbucker slot as a template.

Regards,
Coog.

fivenote · January 24th, 2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

it fits very tightly around the neck

Use some 320 grit paper and gently open up the pickguard's neck opening.

Robert(og) · January 24th, 2008, 08:51 PM

if the guard fits nicely besides the screw holes i would definitly just fill the old ones and drill new holes.
otherwise, im not trying to pimp myself or anyone else ( i know its in bad form to do when you are a ne such as myself)
but i know a few people that could make you one, as well as myself.
why a mini bucker tho?!?!?
how can you deny the awsome tele neck tonez?

January 24th, 2008, 06:18 AM	#1 (permalink)
teleological NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: melbourne Posts: 1	pickguard problem Hi All I just fitted a gibson minihumbucker into my MIJ 52REI. I bought it on ebay already fitted into a pickguard (apparently from a US 52 REI). I'm not much of a guitar-building type, but I thought this would be an easy job, and mostly it was. But when I came to screw down the new pickguard I discovered that a) most of the screwholes do not match up to those on the body, and b) it fits very tightly around the neck so there's no room for manoeuvre. And even if there were there'd still be some screwholes that don't line up. I can force the screws in at an angle, or I can make new holes but they'd be too close to the old ones. Either way I guess I risk making nasty big holes in the body. Anyone got any advice?

January 24th, 2008, 09:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
Coogie TDPRI Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Westmeath, Ireland Age: 37 Posts: 40	Hi, This is very common when fititng anew pickguard - the screw holes vary from pickguard to pickguard and from guitar to guitar. Assuming none of the old screw holes are visable outside of the pickguard perimiter the solution is easy. Stuff the existing screw holes with wooden toothpicks that have been dipped in woodglue so that each screw hole is filled completely. Leave them sticking out and allow plenty of time to dry (overnight). Then remove the excess using a utliity blade very carefully utting flush to the body - mind your finish! You might want to do several passes on each toothpick to get it really flush to the surface. Line up your pickguard and mark the new screwholes and drill pilot holes to receive the screws. Even if the new screw holes are very close to the old ones this will work. If you don't want to do this why not cut out the old pickguard to fit the humbucker. Use the new pickguard's humbucker slot as a template. Regards, Coog.

January 24th, 2008, 08:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
Robert(og) Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: crawfordsville In. Age: 22 Posts: 128	if the guard fits nicely besides the screw holes i would definitly just fill the old ones and drill new holes. otherwise, im not trying to pimp myself or anyone else ( i know its in bad form to do when you are a ne such as myself) but i know a few people that could make you one, as well as myself. why a mini bucker tho?!?!? how can you deny the awsome tele neck tonez?