OP stated that he didn't mind drilling new holes. If they are a bit off he can fill any old holes and drill new ones.
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Pickup Cutout too large for new pickups
- Thread starter SuperTbass
- Start date
Even for that, especially with this design with a pole piece on either side of the string, just "in the ballpark" should be fine.
Hard to say if this would bother me enough to acquire a new pickguard for it... thankfully, if it did, acquiring a custom pickguard is a relatively easy process.
That’s actually a good fit, most of the time you have to wrestle the pickguard on around the pickups..
Musiclily guards seem to be the closest fit. Be prepared to slightly rotate it and file/dremel some areas. You'll also be drilling new holes into the body.
In my case, I put the Glarry pickup covers on the Fender Original pickup. With my Dimarzios, I let it be.
In my case, I put the Glarry pickup covers on the Fender Original pickup. With my Dimarzios, I let it be.
You said you bought a cheap bass to experiment with for educational purposes. A worthwhile endeavor especially as things currently are. Just consider that part of the education and an opportunity to learn even more
When learning you shouldn't have the expectation that your first effort is going to turn out like a show piece. The only way to become an expert is to make mistakes so you can learn how to avoid them.
When learning you shouldn't have the expectation that your first effort is going to turn out like a show piece. The only way to become an expert is to make mistakes so you can learn how to avoid them.
I was apparently away for too long! Thanks for all the replies. It’s not about whether it’s noticeable or not... I’m strictly a bedroom player these days. It’s more a function of wanting things done right. And seeing this every day / knowing it’s there would bother me any time I looked at it. Conversely, knowing I replaced the pickup myself and seeing it look good would make me feel good about picking it up every day.
That’s a lot different from Willie Nelson’s guitar which is worn from use - a lot different than my situation. I have a Tobias that I’ve had for almost twenty years now and it has wear marks where my thumb has dug in and I like that spot.
I went ahead and ordered an $11 pickguard from Amazon so we’ll see if it fits.
By the way, I appreciate the idea that “good enough” is sometimes good enough, but in this case it’s not good enough for me.
That’s a lot different from Willie Nelson’s guitar which is worn from use - a lot different than my situation. I have a Tobias that I’ve had for almost twenty years now and it has wear marks where my thumb has dug in and I like that spot.
I went ahead and ordered an $11 pickguard from Amazon so we’ll see if it fits.
By the way, I appreciate the idea that “good enough” is sometimes good enough, but in this case it’s not good enough for me.
Why not use the original pickup covers? Will they not fit? They don't say "Seymour Duncan," but it's the easiest way to fix the issue and doesn't cost any money.
I'm guessing you're young. Sometimes when us people with more experience are being genuinely helpful, we do so by trying to help you understand what's important and what isn't. That's what I was doing. Judging by some of the pother responses, I'm not alone.
Last edited:
- Jan 1, 2014
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- Decendant from the Clovis culture. "Emitting that wonderful bass effect since 1970".
another thing you could try: paint the inner part of the pickup cavity black. heck, use shielding paint and ground it if you wanna hit a home run 
you could move them around slightly to get them more 'centered' ..!!??
that's easier to deal with than the openings being to small ..!!
doesn't affect sound or playing ... not a big issue ... that 99.9 % of folks would never notice ...
trying a new/different pickguard could have even more fitment issues ..!!??!
that's easier to deal with than the openings being to small ..!!
doesn't affect sound or playing ... not a big issue ... that 99.9 % of folks would never notice ...
trying a new/different pickguard could have even more fitment issues ..!!??!
Tort would solve the problem....
Of all the complicated tasks I've done in a career of 350+ high end mostly acoustic instruments, getting the cutouts for a Fender pickguard perfect from a big plastic blank using traditional manual tools and getting every curve, hole, bevel, and screw position exact is one of the more difficult and challenging.
Of all the complicated tasks I've done in a career of 350+ high end mostly acoustic instruments, getting the cutouts for a Fender pickguard perfect from a big plastic blank using traditional manual tools and getting every curve, hole, bevel, and screw position exact is one of the more difficult and challenging.
Which one? This is a good idea, assuming that your pickup and the pickguard you just ordered are standard sized.
Do you also have a better shot of your full current pickguard?
Arguably, in this instance the pickup is, ehem... too small to satisfy.
Shoooooooooooooooooooot! I just received my DiMarzio P-bass cream pickup for my Ibanez P-bass clone. Hope I don't run into this issue too! I've been playing 5 decades so I can use my time as I wish. If I want to obsess over the gap on my pickup I'll do that as long as I want.
@SuperTbass glad you ordered a new pickguard. Measure three times then drill! Use a very thin drill bit to make guide holes so your screws go in easier. When you're done can you post pictures? Good luck!
@SuperTbass glad you ordered a new pickguard. Measure three times then drill! Use a very thin drill bit to make guide holes so your screws go in easier. When you're done can you post pictures? Good luck!
