Squier VM Mustang Pickguard Laid On Bronco

[FerruleCat]

EDIT: HERE IS A LINK TO THE BRO-STANG CONTROL PLATE DESIGN: https://www.dropbox.com/s/hl3g2phqu53whzj/Bro-Stang Conversion Plate.pdf?dl=0

This is a perennial question for those of us who mod Broncos.

The Squier Mustang guard comes up short on the lower horn, and a Mustang control plate doesn't fully cover the Bronco route. So it would not be a straightforward adaptation.

 

[FerruleCat]

Then again, it could be done. But you'd still have to produce this custom plate to bridge the gap. The elongated control plate is a nice homage to the Musicmaster heritage.

The screw holes don't line up at all, and a bit of pickup routing is needed on the low E side. But the lower horn issue isn't so bad with the Bronco guard removed.

EDIT: I went to basspartsresource.com and overlaid their images of a Fender Japan Mustang pickguard and a Squier VM Mustang pickguard. I don't want to use their images without permission, but to my eye, everything lines up the same, except that the lower horn and its screw hole come forward and down a bit more on the Fender Japan guard. Given that the original Bronco pickguard also comes forward and down as shown above, it's probably safe to guess that the Fender Japan guard would be a better swap for a Bronco mod. The good thing is that the junction with the control plate appears to be the same, so one could probably use either pickguard with the custom control plate shown here.

I'm going to try this mod with an aftermarket Squier VM pickguard and a custom control plate routed from spare BWB stock I have on hand. Later, I'll probably upgrade to a Fender Japan red tort guard, with the control plate either cut from mirrored guard stock or custom fabricated from metal. I'll update here as things proceed.

 

[FerruleCat]

Here's a dry fit. My MDF routing guide needs fine tuning, but I'm happy with the progress. To me, this design marries the best of the Mustang and Musicmaster traditions. I like it in BWB, but I'll do one in mirror, too. I have another guard and pickup on order and will finish the conversion soon.

I'll provide control plate contours within the next week or so. I need to scan the template and do some cleanup & conversion.

 

[A-Step-Towards]

Thats cool , like you said its kind of like a hybrid between a mustang and musicmaster.

 

[FerruleCat]

Thanks. The elongated control route is what does it. I definitely prefer the outward curve of the Mustang guard to the inward curve of the Bronco.

I'd like to see this guard as a one-piece red tort on a natural body.

 

[FerruleCat]

Progress with the Bronco conversion. A Squier Vintage Modified Mustang is on the left; the modified Bronco is on the right. It has a Squier VM Mustang pickguard, Fender Mustang pickup, Hipshot Vintage Bass Bridge (.669 spacing) and, to make it all work, the custom control plate, done here in BWB to match the guard.

There are a few remaining details, like getting 14 matching pickguard screws, filling two of the original holes that are now exposed, and countersinking the holes on the control plate, but it's mostly there.

So yes, you CAN put a (Squier) Mustang guard on a Bronco, BUT...

• You will need to customize a control plate, because the Mustang plate won't cover the Bronco control cavity;
• You will need to expand the pickup route to make clearance for the low side of the Mustang pickup;
• You will need to drill new holes and fill two leftover Bronco pickguard holes.

Is it worth it? If you just want a Mustang and can get your hands on one of the recently discontinued Squier VMs, then just go that route. If you already have a Bronco or just want to tinker, then this is a very doable and rewarding project.

EDIT: Here is the link to the control plate design: https://www.dropbox.com/s/hl3g2phqu53whzj/Bro-Stang Conversion Plate.pdf?dl=0

 

[Danpirvine]

This is cool
I want to do this to my bronco
Although I got an aero pick up type 1 it's not a split coil so I will have to custom make a new pic guard I guess
Buy chance is there a template to download for the mustang pic guard ?
Thanks for the inspiration mate

 

[don21480]

Looks better than the metal control plate to me -