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Post subject: Pickguard Problem
Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 6:38 pm
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I bought a brand new MIA 2008 stratocaster and there is something that's really bugging me. The pickguard doesn't fit. It's lifted up right where showed on the photo ( not the actual guitar ) : http://img213.imageshack.us/my.php?imag ... trebm1.jpg

Why is it like that and how can it be fixed ?


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:05 am
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Joined: Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:57 am
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Location: Peckham: where the snow leopards roam
Uh-hu - you are the latest in a lengthening line of people on this Forum with that problem, including me. Annoying buzz audible when strummed unplugged? That's the one.

We've run through theories about the different materials pickguards are made from; plectrums inserted in the spot bending the plastic; temperature and humidity changes; and very slightly misplaced screw holes in the body (we saw in factory tour photos that they are drilled with a handheld Dremel type tool after the body is finished).

It is certainly very curious that it is consistently the same part of the pickguard that is lifting, which suggests to me something to do with the intrinsic shape of the 'guard and particular way stresses are set up in it by the positioning of the screws. There is desperately sophisticated computer equipment used by engineers that could clarify the issue, if we could spare tens of thousands for the testing.

Whatever - the solution if it is buzzing is to insert a very small slip of acid free paper to take up the space (acid free so as not to conflict with the finish, as the adhesives in masking tape and such like will). You could also try very slightly enlarging the nearby screw holes in the plastic to ease any pressures and allow the plastic to return to flat, if it is not already permanently warped.

Cheers - C


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 6:15 pm
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Location: Bucks County, Pennsylvania, USA
Hello TinyJimbo,

2 of my 4 Stratocasters
have this same malady.

It doesn't bother me.

Cheers.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:19 pm
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Location: usa
usual fix is to change the pickguard. pick one that is obviously straight. before you install, remove old pickguard, then make sure all holes line up between new pickguard and body. If yes, transfer pickups, switch, pots to new pickguard. But be careful if it's the first time you change the pickguard, protect the body with lots of clean rags, there's a chance you'll drop it on the body with the pickups and wires. when removing the knobs, use two chisels as levers (do not use spoons) to pop-off the knobs - this will result in no marks to the plastic knobs.

ciao,
johnny.


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:06 am
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Location: USA
crappy plastic probably made in china!
I bought one of these. http://www.axeguardz.com
Awesome, way cool looking and it works....my axe is WAY quieter.
ps. i used the shielding paint with it.


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Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 2:06 pm
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Location: Bloomfield, NJ
Teles don't seem to have that problem!


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Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:23 pm
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I bought an axeguard for my tele as well.
Much cleaner as well (in the neck position) but most of all the acoustic properties that they mention i could hear. A much brighter sound!

BTY, it also solved that annoying static charge problem on teles. My playing style rubs my pinky and created a static charge on the junkie plastic.


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 8:14 pm
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Location: Bloomfield, NJ
Is that one of the Nashville Teles with the acoustic pickup?


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 9:27 pm
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nope. standard MIM tele. loaded with duncans of course!!


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Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 5:16 pm
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A lot of these aftermarket so called companies selling Strat pickguards do not always fit correctly. Sometimes the screwholes are slightly off etc, etc. That's why it's important that you always buy Fender genuine replacement parts for you guitar. But here it sounds like a warpage problem that you have is that what it is or is it that the pickguard is not the right size or the screwholes are way off. This is a common problem that people run into when buying aftermarket other that Fender genuine replacement parts.

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