Pickguard fit, or lack there of

[Road Bull]

I have searched the forum and saw a few threads that didn't shed much light on my question.

Why do they even bother putting holes in pickguards? It started out with a simple idea or changing the stock white Fender P pickguard out with a black one. I did a bit of research, it seemed pretty straightforward enough. I even made sure to purchase a genuine Fender pickguard. Now I am on my second genuine pickguard with no joy. I can get it on and all, but the screw holes don't match up well. This will lead to screws going in at odd angles, that may lead to stripping those holes in the body. I want to avoid this of course so I am being careful.

Maybe I am being a bit too compulsive in my belief that these things should drop in and line up without alot of fuss. I also understand that these things, both basses and pickguards, are mass produced and that they commonly have this issue. Does it really just come down to trying out guard after guard to get an acceptable fit? Or do i just suck it up and go get a dremmel and set fo fine files to offset the pickguard holes?

Or am I just doomed to a white pickguard? Nooooooo...

[bongomania]

It's not random at all! You have to specify the year, model, and country of origin when ordering a replacement Fender pg.

[Road Bull]

Originally Posted by bongomania

It's not random at all! You have to specify the year, model, and country of origin when ordering a replacement Fender pg.

Nope. Got all that. I am just saying that even within the correct year make model, there always seems to be just enough variance to make it not fit well at all. I have been through two genuine Fender American P Standard pickguards only to have them both be off.

I understand that P's are mass produced, as well as the pickguards, its just that it is frustrating to buy a few that don't match up well. Its a bit more frustrating when you are ordering them.