hi everyone im new to this forum and, already i have a (dumb?) question. i have a 2009 american deluxe stratocaster w/ s-1 switching. the protective plastic over the pickguard is starting to wrinkle so, i figgure it is time to remove it. do i have to lift the control knobs to remove the plastic underneath? i read somewhere on the forum that you wrap string underneath the knobs and pull up to remove them but, what about the volume/s-1 button knob? does it come off the same way? is there any other way to get plastic completly off without removing the knobs? i sure appreciate any ideas here and thanx in advance.

Welcome.

The protective plastic was put on the pickguard before all the electrical components and their respective mounting hardware were installed. Consequently, all the mounting hardware will have to be loosened in order to release and remove the protective plastic sandwiched underneath. You MIGHT be able to get away with pulling the plastic out from under certain screws but not all. For components such as the pots, no way. Further, you can't get to the pot nuts without removing the knobs so yes, the knobs have to come off first.

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You dig?

Welcome to the forum.Umm, why wait so long to pull it off? One thing you can do with the screws that hold the pickgard on is back them off maybe a turn or two and then remove the plastic around it.

Dude get that stuff off.

I've always been able to remove knobs with my fingertips but getting any non-sharp item under there and prying gently from the center to get it started moving will work. Or use a good piece of string or garden twine if you are worried about sctratching the pickguard or chipping a knob skirt.

Oh yeah, welcome to the forum!

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

Not having had a strat with the S-1 switch myself I don't know if it pulls of the same or not. Anyone?

Yes, although the 'skirt' is a separate piece.

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You dig?

thanks guys for the advice and the welcome. the reason i have not pulled it off yet is because i only had her 2 weeks and the plastic was not even detectable till few days ago. anyways, im gonna give her a shot tomorrow and, as soon as i can figgure out how to post pics i will post couple pics of the guitar. ...if i ever take time to put her down lol.

Tea spoons pop the knobs.

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I slip a thin pick between the knob and the pickguard then slip a shoe string between them. The knobs will pop off easily, even the S-1 though it's going to be two pieces.

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"If I don't see you no more in this world I'll meet you on the next one and don't be late... don't be late." -Jimi Hendrix

Wrap the edge of a t-shirt under the entire circumference of the knob and then twist the tail left in your hand and pull straight up. It's the easiest way to do it without marking up your expensive new axe and you're probably wearing your tool of choice as you read this. The S1 knob comes off the same as the two tone knobs, just be careful to not send the center part flying when you lift the knob off.

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Take the plactic film off. Do it now. Forget about it. Play guitar.

I just rip the $@!& off personally.

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