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Squier vs Fender Precision pickguard

iqi616

iqi616

Dec 21, 2025
703
1,015
Canada
#1
I'm looking to fit a loaded pickguard to my Squier Sonic Precision but I keep seeing a warning that the pickguards are cut for Fender, not Squier. What actually is the difference?

Is it something minor that can be fixed with a bit of work on the pickguard with a Dremel or is it something that would permanently change the instrument itself e.g. screwholes in a different place?
 
#2
It can depend heavily on what year/model we're talking about. Even certain years of manufacture for Fenders can vary or if they are trying to emulate an older version of a P or J bass ("60's reissue" or "Vintera")

For general replacement parts, I've found the Squier Classic Vibe series basses fit just fine with parts intended for Fender basses. I have no experience with modding the Sonic Series though, can't really offer any solid advice there.

iqi616 said:
Is it something minor that can be fixed with a bit of work on the pickguard with a Dremel or is it something that would permanently change the instrument itself e.g. screwholes in a different place?
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More than likely screw hole placement on the Sonic P-bass. Any new/modified holes will be covered by the pickguard (or any pickguard, really) so I wouldn't sweat it too much from an aesthetics perspective. As far as tonally/timbre, this will have ZERO impact on the sound of the bass. My advice is get one, use the dremel or drill when needed, and rock on :bassist:
 
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#5
iqi616 said:
Thanks for the speedy reply. I'll give it a try. I'm looking to be able to easily swap back if I ever sell the bass.

I'm hoping the Fender CS62 pickup my wife bought me _will_ have an impact on the sound of the bass! 😁
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No problem! Glad to help :thumbsup:

If you're not getting the sound you want after the pickup swap, might want to try adjusting pickup height and/or changing strings. My DiMarzio Area P likes a bit more "air" between it and the strings to really shine when using flats, but with rounds you want it closer for proper output.
 
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#6
Any and all Fender (and by extension Squier) parts and dimensions vary from one era, model to model, where/when it was made . . . just enough to catch you out.

Sometimes they are an easy swap over, and sometimes they're not. Pickups, bridges, PA keys, pick guards, can be just enough different to require some fitment.

Usually, for pick guards you start with how many mounting screw holes there are to see if you're in the ballpark, but luckily these are easy enough to order, then compare it to what you have, and then use or return it.

But again, Fender/Squier parts can often be 'almost but not quite'. So you measure what you have carefully and compare those measurements to what you want to replace it with.

Always.
 
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#8
KevInDaBassment said:
No problem! Glad to help :thumbsup:

If you're not getting the sound you want after the pickup swap, might want to try adjusting pickup height and/or changing strings. My DiMarzio Area P likes a bit more "air" between it and the strings to really shine when using flats, but with rounds you want it closer for proper output.
Click to expand...
The OEM strings look to be nickel rounds and I'll probably go Rotosound Swings when it's time to replace them. Good point about pickup height.
 
#9
J Wilson said:
Any and all Fender (and by extension Squier) parts and dimensions vary from one era, model to model, where/when it was made . . . just enough to catch you out.

Sometimes they are an easy swap over, and sometimes they're not. Pickups, bridges, PA keys, pick guards, can be just enough different to require some fitment.

Usually, for pick guards you start with how many mounting screw holes there are to see if you're in the ballpark, but luckily these are easy enough to order, then compare it to what you have, and then use or return it.

But again, Fender/Squier parts can often be 'almost but not quite'. So you measure what you have carefully and compare those measurements to what you want to replace it with.

Always.
Click to expand...
The Sonic made me extra cautious because it's got that J-neck so who knows what else they changed to get it down to that price. The body is noticeably thinner than my other basses so I wonder if they went for the J-neck because a P-neck made it unacceptably neck-divey!
 
#11
iqi616 said:
The Sonic made me extra cautious because it's got that J-neck so who knows what else they changed to get it down to that price. The body is noticeably thinner than my other basses so I wonder if they went for the J-neck because a P-neck made it unacceptably neck-divey!
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No. They likely went with a J neck because fewer people will whine and complain about the nut width.
 
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#12
I got a FLEOR one from Amazon and while the screw holes around the pickguard are all in the right place, it seems like the pickup holes are a tiny bit too much toward the treble side. It still works, but I had to push it a bit to get it on my 2025 Sonic.


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#15
iqi616 said:
The Sonic made me extra cautious because it's got that J-neck so who knows what else they changed to get it down to that price. The body is noticeably thinner than my other basses so I wonder if they went for the J-neck because a P-neck made it unacceptably neck-divey!
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My Sonic P is solid. Because it came in so far under budget for what I wanted to do (BEAD P-Bass) that I was able to make some fun but not necessary changes:
  • Fender High-Mass Bridge
  • Hipshot-style string tree to also cover the A (now E) string
  • Swap to a BWB pickguard
No issues with the build quality - neck is as straight as it should be, truss rod does it's thing, tuners hold tune, fret work is good (no high/low frets, no sprouting fret ends), and the pickup sound like a P. And it balances well on a strap. Really crazy value for the price.
 
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#16
nickpc said:
My Sonic P is solid. Because it came in so far under budget for what I wanted to do (BEAD P-Bass) that I was able to make some fun but not necessary changes:
  • Fender High-Mass Bridge
  • Hipshot-style string tree to also cover the A (now E) string
  • Swap to a BWB pickguard
No issues with the build quality - neck is as straight as it should be, truss rod does it's thing, tuners hold tune, fret work is good (no high/low frets, no sprouting fret ends), and the pickup sound like a P. And it balances well on a strap. Really crazy value for the price.
Click to expand...
Apart from minor setup tweaks the only issues I've had are a scratchy tone control and fret sprout (not surprised because even with a humidifier it's pretty dry up here). Nothing I can't address myself. I find it slightly neck divey if I let go but not while playing. I've now ordered a BWB pickguard, black screws, black knobs, and ObsidianWire controls and eager to hear the CS62 pickup.
 
#19
iqi616 said:
It's pretty good (it definitely gives me a very usable Precision sound) but just a little dark. I'd like a more open sound but without going too bright.
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I know what you mean. When I first got mine, I lowered the pickup and that helped. It's a bit boomy or "bloated."
I have an SX P-Bass copy with a Fender Pure Vintage 63 pickup, which is "tighter"-- it sounds more balanced, with fewer lows and highs but still a nice lower mids emphasis. Lower output, overall.
I pondered putting one in the Sonic, but then decided not to; it's nice to have different sounds available, IMO.
In any case, I think you'll like the CS62. Give us a report! 🙂
 
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#20
dougjwray said:
I know what you mean. When I first got mine, I lowered the pickup and that helped. It's a bit boomy or "bloated."
I have an SX P-Bass copy with a Fender Pure Vintage 63 pickup, which is "tighter"-- it sounds more balanced, with fewer lows and highs but still a nice lower mids emphasis. Lower output, overall.
I pondered putting one in the Sonic, but then decided not to; it's nice to have different sounds available, IMO.
In any case, I think you'll like the CS62. Give us a report! 🙂
Click to expand...
Yes, variety is good. I only have five basses but each has a different specialism.
 
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