Mystery hole under pickguard

[ebo]

I was swapping a white pickguard for a black one on a recently acquired used MIM Jazz. I came across this perfectly round hole and am wondering what gives? Someone has to know why this was drilled? My TV detective brain says someone at the factory did it and was going to put a tiny note in there that said. “I’m being held hostage in this Fender factory, come save me!” Hope that’s not it because this is a 2002 or so….

 

[Baloo Pasquariello]

Resonance hole for better tone.

(...no.)

 

[Snakeman1066]

It is there on purpose...According to Jeff Beilke from Fender, "That [hole] is indeed a byproduct of the routing machines utilized in our Mexico factory. I believe that's where the CNC machine actually holds the body in place in order to assure the correct cut.

 

[BT3]

Mojoe hole!

 

[Emmaemme]

The b-stock hole

 

[C Stone]

Yep standard on many Fender bodies. CNC, nothing to fear....

 

[GIBrat51]

Opinions here are usually divided between;
- it's where your Mojo accumulates;
- it's where you hide your stash.
Personally, I lean towards "stash", but... "the CNC locator hole" is the actual - but prosaically dull - answer...

 

[Yahboy]

No worry .... The hole still exists on current Vintera 50s P.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

It's where the mojo is kept. I'd ask for a refund as clearly the mojo has been removed.

 

[J Wilson]

You're lucky you weren't badly hurt when the Mojo reservoir vaporized its' contents once it came in contact with air. A shame, Fender doesn't sell replacement mojo.

OK. Really, it's where they screw in the eyehook when it goes through the spray booth. Fender has been out of mojo for years now.

 

[crguti]

that hole shows up when using a clear pickguard, it looks awful.

 

[Turnaround]

I don't see it as a hole - I see it as an opportunity.

For what? I don't know. Still working on that.

 

[Barticus]

That’s clearly “weight relief” that’s what makes the body so much lighter and easier on the shoulder.

 

[SunnBass]

Just a guide hole for the CNC machines during manufacturing.
I feel like over the years this comes up about once a month.

 

[ebo]

Thanks for both the correct answer and the more intriguing Mojo hole theory. If it was a stash hole as GIBrat51 says, I would clearly need a bigger hole! I’ve attached before and after pics of the original white pickguard and the new black one. I also bought a black control plate but haven’t decided whether to swap that as well. The white clearly had to go, but it was a tough decision between black or dark red tort. Either choice would add back mojo that was lost by exposing the hole.

 

[HardNHeavy]

"not meant for body parts" there's other holes for that

 

[groooooove]

that's just where they hide it.

if you don't know what "it" is, i advise you stop asking questions and just carry on with your day.

 

[mmbongo]

Here's how to fix it. Just remember to replace the word 'bucket' with 'Fender'.

 

[Stewie]

They do that to keep you from throwing away the pick guard and being “Jaco”

 

[sleddogn]

I keep a quarter in mine to call home if needed...