1970 Jazz bass neck pickup/pickguard issue

[TAS5977H93M95]

Hello everyone, I’ve recently acquired a 70 Jazz bass. The original pickups are long gone and were replaced with what looks like 80’s Schecters with the 1/4 inch pole magnets and 3 conductor wires. No plastic covers. I wanted to get this bass functional again so I ordered a set of Fender Custom Shop 60’s pickups. The bridge pickup fits the body route perfectly and looks great. The CS neck pickup fits the neck pu route perfectly as well but the pickguard will not fit over the plastic cover. The pickguard is the original. Could the pickguard have deformed over the years ? All the screw holes in the guard line up perfectly with the holes in the body. Could the CS plastic pu covers be out of spec ? Did Fender change the Jazz’ neck pu dimensions ? I’m at my wits end with this. Please help. Thanks in advance for any and all advice. I can post photos if needed.
Much obliged
Regards
Tom S

 

[J-Bass RMR]

Could the pickguard have deformed over the years ?

yes - shrinkage.
This scenario is not unusual.
The best remedy is to use a small file set to gradually widen the pickup cut-out in the pickguard to fit. finish off with sandpaper if their are chatter marks.
Go slowly - it shouldn't take much. Do not attempt with a dremel.

I use these:
Amazon File Set
Craftsman mini Files

 

[eddiemac]

Or use a sharp knife to scrape where needed.

 

[TAS5977H93M95]

Or use a sharp knife to scrape where needed.

Eddie, I’d probably cut off 2 or 3 fingers if I tried that lol.

 

[TAS5977H93M95]

yes - shrinkage.
This scenario is not unusual.
The best remedy is to use a small file set to gradually widen the pickup cut-out in the pickguard to fit. finish off with sandpaper if their are chatter marks.
Go slowly - it shouldn't take much. Do not attempt with a dremel.

I use these:
Amazon File Set
Craftsman mini Files

Thanks for the tip J. I was hesitant to do any mods on an original guard because of the fear of destroying it. I may also just buy a reproduction from Pickguard Heaven as I’ve used them before with great results. Save the original just in case. Thanks again. Much appreciated.
Tom S

 

[J-Bass RMR]

I was hesitant to do any mods on an original guard because of the fear of destroying it

Old celluloid gaurds shrink. (assume it's tort?)
I would consider enlargening the PU cut-cut out to fit "maintenance".
If you choose to store it - screw it down to a piece of plywood to prevent future shrinkage.
If it were me - I'd use it - if the pickup cut-out doesn't fit now, that won't change in the future, unless it's enlargened.

 

[TAS5977H93M95]

Old celluloid gaurds shrink. (assume it's tort?)
I would consider enlargening the PU cut-cut out to fit "maintenance".
If you choose to store it - screw it down to a piece of plywood to prevent future shrinkage.
If it were me - I'd use it - if the pickup cut-out doesn't fit now, that won't change in the future, unless it's enlargened.

It’s tortoise. Good advice for fastening to plywood for storing. I have a long time friend who’s a tool & die maker. I as well am a former T&D maker. I could send it to him with dimensions and where it needs modification. No charge except for shipping. I might go that route.

 

[bassdude51]

I put some cream colored pickup covers over some Fender Original P pickups. The cream covers are aftermarket because Fender doesn't make P covers in this color.

The cream aftermarket P covers would not fit into the Fender anodized guard. I had to use some fine grade sand paper onto the plastic cover in order to get them to fit into the guard. Pffff, probably took me an hour to do this because I had to be careful to not distort the appearance of the covers. Got them to fit but it is tight.

Depending on how far off the fit is with your J neck p/u cover, you might be able to do some sanding and get it to fit.

OEM Fender J pickup covers are an easy buy.

Good luck.

Here's my bass with the sanded covers.

 

[BassHole1]

yes - shrinkage.

The bass musta been in the pool at some point!

 

[Thud Staff]

The bass musta been in the pool at some point!

But do they know about that?