Mystery hole under pickguard

[Killing Floor]

No reason. Some folks here think it’s part of a “guide” for CNC. But they also make models without the hole. And without pick guards altogether. And none of the Charvels made on the same tools have the hole. And no other brand of FSO has that hole.

You can put your weed in there.

 

[fourstringdrums]

Beat me to it lol

 

[bobdabilder]

Aliens.

 

[drumvsbass]

 

[Marko 1]

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

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

I was gonna put one of these over mine, but went with a tort guard instead.

I was never a fan of the midnight wine finish, but with the black guard... It has changed my mind.

I LOVE midnight wine, was gonna go with a black guard but... yeah, tort, lol.

 

[Rolling Thunder]

It's a stash spot for skiers.

 

[mikeswals]

This question has been asked for over 20 years and countless threads already about it.

Yeah I had to be that guy!

 

[micguy]

Weight reduction hole.

Precisely. Fender was told their basses are heavy, and this is their solution - one gram of weight removal. Every decade they're going to take away another gram of weight, until they stop getting complaints about their basses being too heavy.

 

[fourstringdrums]

This question has been asked for over 20 years and countless threads already about it.

Yeah I had to be that guy!

Yeah this didn't need a hole new thread

 

[ac100X]

That hole gives the bass that holier that thou attitude.

 

[perfektspace6]

Could be a glory hole. Best to just cover it up.

 

[Watchootognbout]

"Dat's the hole that you put dem Necco cannies in"
(Said with a Chicago accent)
To sweeten the tone.

 

[Stewie]

I like those, but feel that buying the rolls of all chocolate wafers are some how cheating. I mean, are they taking the chocolates out of the regular rolls and depriving us just so they can sell “cheat” rolls?

 

[Stewie]

I got’s ta know.

 

[Stewie]

Never got them from Sweetwater either, guess they wouldn’t fit in the little plastic bags

 

[bigdaddybass12]

maybe to keep you from leaving the pickguard off! NO ! its a finger hole for you 'thumb-ers' like a bowling ball!

 

[Malak the Mad]

View attachment 4743107 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….

Like other have said, the practical answer is a guide hole for CNC machines, however, I have a concurrent theory. I suspect it also keeps people from misrepresenting instruments of a certain age and on as American-made when they’re actually Mexican-made.

Whether or not my theory holds any weight is less important than how lovely that Jazz is, doubly so with the addition of the black pickguard. It’s a look that always has a place on my GAS-list. But be warned, if you’re thinking of changing pickups, the bridge pup might be the same size as the neck pup. You’d either need two neck-sized pups or have a little routing done to widen the bridge spot.

 

[TTA]

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. View attachment 4743240View attachment 4743241

Nice bass

 

[39-Bassist]

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.

This is correct...

 

[WillyW]

I heard this somewhere....