Does anyone have a repair for this problem. I have tried metal tape on the underside of the pickguard but it didn't help.

I would think metal tape would make the problem worse. It sounds like some part of the circuit is contacting the pickguard. Putting metal tape across it would only worsen the problem.

First off check your ground wire from the volume pot to the tremolo claw. Whilst your about it put something ontop of the circuitboard. I used folded up newspaper on a friends. I also used the foam that the pickups came surrounded with, when I built my own. Basicaly anything that wont conduct electricity and wont damage the circuitboard.

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No no and no

IF all wires are secured... try a "Dryer Sheet"

Bill

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

Now thats a great idea, their antistatic.

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No no and no

Yep, we talked about this same problem on another thread. Yeppers, a Anti-static dryer sheet works miracles.

I have a 89 Clapton Strat that has the same problem, especially in the winter time when the air is dry. My 52 Telecasters do the same thing. It is static electricity that builds up on the pickguard from rubbing against your hand. I keep a Bounce Sheet under the strings of my EC Strat at all times and then when I go to play, I rub the pickguard and she is good to go for the whole evening!

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Xhefri's Guitars
www.xhefriguitars.com

I have a 2 mo old Clapton Custom Shop Stratocaster (got Blackie). I noticed the static within a week. I was quite surprised that a guitar of this caliber would have such an issue.

The fix:
You have to have it shielded under the pickguard. My luthier said that he applied some metal-based paint on the underside of the pickguard, under the area where my finger would glide and start the static (was near the middle pickup). Although I didn't fully understand, I believe he also said that you have to "ground" the metal-based paint. I am not an electrician or luthier, but I am sure that any good luthier could do the same. I have also read some other "fixes" (of varying merit) on the Internet, but I believe that this should be professionally done. Anyway, I now have no more issues with the static.

BTW, I tried emailing Customer Support about the issue, and after a week of no response I decided that I would give them a call (perhaps the delay was because I had asked them to forward the email to the Custom Shop for their reply). Customer Service said that any guitar that is a reissue or remake of a vintage or particular guitar (Clapton Strat would fit this) would be made the same way and with the same specs as the original was made, flaws and all. Even so, personally, I find it odd that Fender (and especially the Custom Shop) would not want to fix something like this once the issue was identified. After all, the fix is inexpensive and easy, and doesn't affect the sound at all. I would imagine that Clapton had that issue fixed on his Blackie.

All that aside, I love my Clap Strat, and of all my guitars it is the easiest playing guitar I have.