Taking the pickguard off a Squier P Bass

[Derp]

Hello everyone! I was wondering, are the guts (The pickup, the pots and the output jack) of a Fender Squier Affinity Precision Bass ( Not PJ, simple single pickup Precision) attached to the actual body itself, or to the pickguard? What do I have to do to take the pickguard off?

 

[audioglenn]

The pots and output jack are attached to the pickguard. The pickup is attached to the body(and wired to the pots). Therefore, use care when removing the pickguard. To remove it, just unscrew the thirteen screws around the edge.

 

[treekiller]

The pots, etc. are all mounded to the guard, but the ground wire runs in the body to the bridge. Not a big deal.....

 

[Derp]

How do I take the pots and the output with all the wiring off the pickguard? Is the pickguard kind of "sandwiched" between the pots underneath and the knobs on the surface?

 

[audioglenn]

You take the knobs off the the pots by carefully pulling them straight up. You then remove the nut that surrounds the output jack and the nuts. This will free them from the pickguard. Remove the knobs on the pots before removing the screws that hold the pickguard on the body.

 

[cropshy]

I don't know what you're going to do, but if you're planning on replacing a Squier Affinity P pickguard, be warned that regular Fender pickguards probably won't fit without a lot trimming, persuading, cursing, etc. It's not just going to drop in. Been there, done that.

 

[Derp]

I wanna take my stock pickguard off, customize it with my design using a permanent marker and then put it back on. That's it.

 

[totallyfrozen]

IIRC a 1/2" open-end wrench is about all you need to remove the pots from the pick guard (if they're even tight. You can probably loosen then with your fingers). As was mentioned above, remove the pot dials, then unscrew the nuts holding the pots to the pick guard. Once you get in there, you'll see it's a very simple task and nothing to be scared about.

Just take your time and be gentle about it. You don't want to tug on any wires or break any solder connections while your doing your thing.