Pickguard for Mighty Mite P-Bass body?

[Stu207]

I bought a Mighty Mite P-bass body (MM2702A), and a Mighty Mite pickguard (MM5700), and found that their pickguards don't fit with their newest body routes. Searching the forum has shown that others people had the same problem over the last couple years.

Has anyone found a pickguard that actually fits the Mighty Mite P-bass bodies? pic attached of the MM body style in question:

[scolba]

I actually ended up using a MM pg, but had to slide it a bit more forward than i would have liked. If fills the lower horn pretty good, and overlaps the neck pocket by about 1/2". To get it on there with no gaps, and where i would be satisfied with it, I loaded the pg and sorta used the pots as a pivot point. I adjusted it so it looked even on the body with no gaps, and then set a few screws. My plan was to shave the pg to fit the nck, but it didn't actually need it. It ended up working out to a small enough gap that I could sorta wiggle the neck on there. And odly enough, the neck sat 1/2" up anyway so the pg covered what would be showing otherwise. I have had the body for about a year though, so it may not be the newest routes that you are referring to.

[Stu207]

This pickguard is definitely a no-go with the body. When loaded, there's not really enough room in the control cavity for the pots & jacks, and the pickguard overhangs the neck pocket and front beveled edge, even when pushed all the way towards the bridge end of the body.

The older Mighty Mite bodies have a very narrow wire channel between the pickups and control cavity, and a longer control cavity than the newer ones pictured above. I believe the MM5700 style pickguard was made to fit those older bodies.

I'm going to try the other pickguard type from Mighty Mite (MM57001US), which is supposed to be the direct replacement for Fenders.

Edit:
I received the MM5701US Mighty Mite pickguard, and it seems to match-up well enough to be usable. It's 13-hole (vs the MM5700 which has screw 14 holes.)

[bigbluebass]

I have a similar problem with a Mighty Mite trans black quilt maple P-bass body and a Mighty Mite white pearloid pickguard. The parts were purchased from an eBay Mighty Mite dealer. Unfortunately, the pickguard tail doesn't cover the control rout (see photo). I've since found that the pickguard is the correct size for a Fender American P-bass (11-3/4" from the necck pocket to the tail), and the body rout is too long. I received a refund from the eBay dealer for the pickguard. I contacted Mighty Mite several times about the issue by phone and email without any return messages. On our last conversation, MM said they would send a "Korean"-sized pickguard that would fit. That was almost two weeks ago, and no pickguard. Not thrilled with the customer service, or the prospect of paying 4x for a custom pickguard. I'll update when I have new info...

[tuna74]

So neither original Fender pg will fit MM body?

[Stu207]

Originally Posted by bigbluebass

I have a similar problem with a Mighty Mite trans black quilt maple P-bass body and a Mighty Mite white pearloid pickguard. The parts were purchased from an eBay Mighty Mite dealer. Unfortunately, the pickguard tail doesn't cover the control rout (see photo). I've since found that the pickguard is the correct size for a Fender American P-bass (11-3/4" from the necck pocket to the tail), and the body rout is too long. I received a refund from the eBay dealer for the pickguard. I contacted Mighty Mite several times about the issue by phone and email without any return messages. On our last conversation, MM said they would send a "Korean"-sized pickguard that would fit. That was almost two weeks ago, and no pickguard. Not thrilled with the customer service, or the prospect of paying 4x for a custom pickguard. I'll update when I have new info...

Looks like you're having the opposite problem from what I had. The 14-screw MM pickguard should fit those older style Mighty Mite bodies. The control panel part extends a little longer & wider, and doesn't curl upwards as hard, compared with the 13-screw pickguards.

for reference if anyone else runs into this problem with Mighty Mite P-bass bodies & their corresponding pickguards:
Older P bass body with narrow wire channel routing, 14-screw pickguards:
MM5700 - Black/White/Black
MM5701 - White/Black/White
MM5702 - Tortoise Shell
MM5906BK - Pearloid Black
MM5706W - Pearloid White

Newer P bass body with wide wire channel routing, 13-screw pickguards:
MM5700US - White/Black/White
MM5701US - Black/White/Black
MM5702US - Tortoise Shell
MM5906USBK - Pearloid Black
MM5906USW - Pearloid White
*I might have the B/W/B and W/B/W parts numbers reversed on the US models, as sellers' listings & mighty mites price list seem to differ on which is which.

[URice]

Hey guys, I've just bought the same trans black MM body as bigbluebass (older version - narrow channel). I tooked it together with the MM pickguard from the ebay seller gman.music. According to the picture, it is the wrong one 13 wholes PG
Does anybody want to swap it? Mine is B/W/B.
Or do you have a tip, where to purchase the 14 whole pick? Preferably in Europe ;o) thanks!

[F-Clef-Jef]

Glad I saw this thread, I was on the fence about either buying a MM P-bass body, or picking up a used Squier P and cannibalizing it for the body and pickguard. I guess I know what the better solution is now.

[URice]

I'd choose MM body again even if there is a mishmash with pickguards. Do you think, that Squier body is made from the same kind and quality of wood as MM body? I seriously doubt. Or am I wrong?

[F-Clef-Jef]

Originally Posted by URice

I'd choose MM body again even if there is a mishmash with pickguards. Do you think, that Squier body is made from the same kind and quality of wood as MM body? I seriously doubt. Or am I wrong?

As long as the Squier was made correctly, I'd have absolutely no worries about the wood quality. The only way I'd be even slightly concerned is if it had a natural finish.

I'm one of those "wood doesn't matter (much)" guys...(for the body) - and I can get an entire used Squier p-bass for the price of a MM body - what can I say, I'm cheap!

[bigbluebass]

Stu, thanks for the information. I'm contacting 9mileguitar.com, where they list the MM5706W online. Will update when I get more info.

[bigbluebass]

So far, nothing but dead ends. Anyone have an idea where I can find a MM5706W pickguard?

[bigbluebass]

Follow up: I ordered the MM5706W pickguard from 9mileguitar, but I received the MM5906USW pickguard instead. 9mileguitar replied "This part # (MM5706W) does not exist. We have talked with Mighty Mite and they say it has never existed so I am not sure how we create this error "typo" in the option field on our site."

Stu207, do you have any idea where I can purchase a pickguard for my old-style, narrow routing channel, P-bass body?

[URice]

Hey mate, I had exactly the same problem. I was deciding between ordering of the Korean shape from 9mileguitar and making of custom one here localy. Now I am glad I choosed the custom option. The custom PG costed me about $55. Yes, it is not just cheap, but it is for sure the final trouble free solution. Good luck!

[URice]

Ha, and this is the final result

[bigbluebass]

Nice looking bass! I will give Mighty Mite one more email; if no success, I'll take the custom pickguard route.