This is a noob question and I apologize for asking but I did look for previous posts ...

I happened to see reference to a store on Ebay that offers Strat parts for sale and came across loaded pickguards. Many of them have different dates for the pickguard itself as well as either being an American or straight Standard (MIM).

My question is what the difference is between the different dates on each model ? Is it the resistance of the pots, type of pu, etc?
Also, do the holes matchup between a MIM body and and a MIA pickguard?

I'm thinking of upgrading my HSS MIM to a SSS MIA and thought a loaded pickguard would be the best way to do it but having never done anything like this before, I'm not sure it's as easy as it looks!

Many thanks,
T

An 11 hole loaded pick guard will fit a mexican strat the same as an american. Same with the 8 hole version. The bigger concern is wether a MIA loaded guard actually has american pups in it (as opposed to mims).
Stratosphere ebay store has a good reputation. I would start there.
Good luck with your shopping!

_________________
"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"

+1

_________________
Stratohawk Guitar Works Custom Handwound Pickups-
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stratoha ... page_panel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc72Re ... qfXXXkVTqA

The pickguards, themselves, are interchangeable. A full MIA pickguard will have better pots and switches than a MIM -- but the MIM is still good quality, though. Sometimes it can also be a pickguard with MIA pickups, and the switches, etc. maybe completely non-Fender (which may be a good or bad thing, depending on what it is). The good pickguards will use CTS and Switchcraft components; that is always a good sign. Sometimes, though, you will have to click on "ask the seller a question" to get the right answer.

_________________
Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

If it's an aftermarket guard, I'd plan on some drill & fill work.

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

make it +2

_________________
sombody get me a doctor!

Thanks. Actually it is Stratosphere that I've been looking through.

They indicate that the models they sell will fit a similar guitar - meaning, a '97 American Standard Strat pickguard will fit a '97 American Standard. They have a warning though that not all pickguards will fit every model year of Strat. Which led me to ask here. Plus they have a 20% re-stocking fee on top of everything else in case of returns, so I really wanted to make sure what I bought would fit.

Kinda of make me nervous about changing anyhting!!

-t

I wouldn't be surprised if many of the pickups and pickguards put on MIA guitars were actually manufactured in Mexico.

I think mostly the Custom Shop models get MIA pickups.

_________________
Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

There's a lot more components and sub-assemblies than these being imported for MIA guitars and not just from Mexico either.

_________________
You dig?

You might want to check local shops I just made up 4 more Loaded moto guards for a shop, The dude has them behind glass and people spot the and buy them up.

_________________
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

_________________
You dig?

I wouldnt worry all that much about it not fitting. Worst case scenario, if your changing an 11 hole guard for an 11 hole guard the most extreme modding you may have to do is a little shaping where the guard fits around the butt of the neck. otherwise 9 times out of 10 the holes will line up. If memory serves there is one hole above the the middle pup that seems to never match, but the guard covers the old hole and drilling the new hole is all to easy. If you really want to upgrade the pups and guard I say go for it! If nothing else, switching from mim pups to mia pups (to clarify here: I mean pups manufactured for a mia guitar, as opposed to those manufactured for a mim) almost always makes a noticeable difference.

Best of luck ~ all_thumbs

_________________
"I started out with nothing, and still have most of it"