swapping pickguards

[JehuJava]

I have a USACG P/J that has a black pickguard that I'd like to swap out for a tort one. How do I ensure the screw holes line up? Are pg's standard as far as holes go? Seems like such an easy switch that I wouldn't need to go to the shop.

[testing1two]

Pickguards are not standardized unless it's a stock Fender shape and even those can have variances. You should contact USACG and see if they custom make their pickguards or if they use something stock that you could order online.

The other option is to make a tracing of your existing guard and have one custom made: Custom Pickguards

[JehuJava]

Originally Posted by testing1two

Pickguards are not standardized unless it's a stock Fender shape and even those can have variances. You should contact USACG and see if they custom make their pickguards or if they use something stock that you could order online.

The other option is to make a tracing of your existing guard and have one custom made: Custom Pickguards

Good ideas. I'll call USACG for sure. Thanks.

[skypn]

FWIW, I bought a pearl pickguard from Musician's Friend for my '87 MIJ jazz that they said was for an Standard Jazz Bass, 10 hole.
Buy Fender Standard Jazz Bass Pickguard 10 Hole | Pickguards | Musician's Friend
It was REAL close, but not quite. Definitely close enough that trying to return it, and hoping to get a closer one would have been pointless. I took some 2-sided tape (non- permanent), and stuck the old guard on top of the new, lining up as many holes that would. Seven were dead on, two a tad off, and one, where the new guard was wider than the old on the top, didn't line up at all. I used a small drum sander to to re-shape the neck pocket, and remove ~1/8" of material that was overlapping the chrome plate for the knobs. After a few trips back to the garage to tighten it up a bit, it fit very well. I had to drill an 11th hole in the new guard between the pick-up and neck, and drill a tiny starter hole into the bass itself for the one screw. I know it sounds like a lot of messing around, but it looks like stock to me.
YMMV

[bassbenj]

Originally Posted by skypn

FWIW, I bought a pearl pickguard from Musician's Friend for my '87 MIJ jazz that they said was for an Standard Jazz Bass, 10 hole.
Buy Fender Standard Jazz Bass Pickguard 10 Hole | Pickguards | Musician's Friend
It was REAL close, but not quite. Definitely close enough that trying to return it, and hoping to get a closer one would have been pointless. I took some 2-sided tape (non- permanent), and stuck the old guard on top of the new, lining up as many holes that would. Seven were dead on, two a tad off, and one, where the new guard was wider than the old on the top, didn't line up at all. I used a small drum sander to to re-shape the neck pocket, and remove ~1/8" of material that was overlapping the chrome plate for the knobs. After a few trips back to the garage to tighten it up a bit, it fit very well. I had to drill an 11th hole in the new guard between the pick-up and neck, and drill a tiny starter hole into the bass itself for the one screw. I know it sounds like a lot of messing around, but it looks like stock to me.
YMMV

This is the usual story. Fender replacement pickguards are usually close enough that usually with a bit of filing and sanding you can get it to fit great. I've done a couple this way and you use a round file to enlarge the holes in the direction the screws are going to be and then sometimes file (or a dremel tool works great too...but be CAREFUL. It can easily cut more than you intended).

If you want to avoid this hand work or switch to an exotic pickguard you can go with a custom pickguard maker. I use our local one (pickguardian.com) Tony has a really slick setup for exact copies of pickguards and cavity covers. You send him the old one, and pretty soon the old one plus a nifty new exact copy comes back. I think most custom pickguard places can do this. I'd be a little hesitant to trust a tracing though.

[tjh]

+1 to pickguardian .. I have used one of theirs ... very good work

[JehuJava]

How long does it usually take from sendin to receiving with pickguardian? Sounds like it may be worth the wait for no worries.

[Billy K]

Mine took 2 weeks. I sent the old one to copy.I am so happy.