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Post subject: Highway One Pickguard
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 5:04 pm
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Hi all,

First post regarding my first Tele! I purchased a HW1 (honey blond). I was thinking about getting a new pickguard but I've got a couple of questions.

1. Do I need to remove/loosen the neck to change it out? There seem to be some conflicting answers to this so I hope to clear that up. I really don't want to mess with the neck

2. Is there a special HW1 pickguard or can I just go 8 hole standard, "Fits American Tele."?

I don't know if it makes a difference what year HW1 I have, I just got it so I assume it's this or last years.

Thanks in advance!


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Post subject: Re: Highway One Pickguard
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 5:15 pm
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mlipping wrote:
Hi all,

First post regarding my first Tele! I purchased a HW1 (honey blond). I was thinking about getting a new pickguard but I've got a couple of questions.

1. Do I need to remove/loosen the neck to change it out? There seem to be some conflicting answers to this so I hope to clear that up. I really don't want to mess with the neck

2. Is there a special HW1 pickguard or can I just go 8 hole standard, "Fits American Tele."?

I don't know if it makes a difference what year HW1 I have, I just got it so I assume it's this or last years.

Thanks in advance!

Welcome to the forum! No you don't have to mess with the neck to change the pick guard. Check out this site and you will find one that will fit. You will have to loosen the strings and the neck pickup. Hope that helps. Good luck!
www.allparts.com


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 5:29 pm
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Thanks! When I take the pickguard off I'll need to loosen the neck pickup correct? I'm hoping this is an easy process, not that I'm not mechanically inclined, I just don't want to mess with my baby!


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Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 5:36 pm
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You will have to remove the neck pup but it's not hard. Two screws. If you are not comfortable take it to a tech but I think you can do it.


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Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 5:51 pm
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Thanks again!

Last question. All of the pickguards I see say fits American Standard etc. It doesn't mention HW1. Does that matter, or are they all the same?

Appreciate it!


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Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 6:02 pm
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Just make sure you get one with the correct number of screw holes.


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 12:18 pm
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Okay, now I'm looking for a pickguard and all of the 8 hole tele pickguards have the two screw holes for the neck pup. The HW1 doesn't have these. I found a 2ply after market one with one review that said it was a waste of money....... Any thoughts?

Thanks again!


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Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 12:41 pm
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I was not aware of that. Send an email to this address and tell them what you need. I'm sure they can help you. Hope so.
qpartsusa@sbcglobal.net
Good luck!


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 1:07 pm
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I'm pretty sure Warmoth make pick guards to spec bro.


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 2:09 pm
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Okay, pickguard hole issue resolved. The thing I cannot get a definitive answer on is the neck. It seems half of the posts I have read say I have to loosen/remove the neck. The other half say I don't. I guess it's no big deal but if I do have to loosen the neck is there more I should know?

Thanks for all the help and for being patient. After all this is said and done I will post pics and complete instructions for H1 owners!


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 8:39 am
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Some thoughts on this situation –

There are many sources for pickguards on the internet. Warmoth, Stewart MacDonald, Chandler, GFS, Pickguardian, and many others. You can also usually find Fender brand pickguards for sale at Guitar Center and other Fender dealers.

When switching guards, it’s common to find the holes won’t line up perfectly. Don’t be surprised if you have to angle in a screw or two, and if the holes are really off, you might want to dab a little wood glue on a toothpick, stick it in the screw hole in the body, snap it off and sand it flush, and then drill a new hole. I've found the holes in Fender brand pickguards usually line up well on MIA and MIM Fenders - no surprise there.

You should be able to find a pickguard with no pickup adjustment holes. Stewart-Macdonald sells 3-ply, 8-hole guards without pickup adjustment holes, and a black Fender ’52 Reissue pickguard will fit too, even though it only has five holes. It’s a one-ply and will give a more vintage look which I think works great on a Highway One which has the old-style 3-saddle bridge, but that’s just my opinion.

With whatever pickguard you choose, you will probably have to loosen and raise the neck a bit because that 22nd fret overhang on the Highway One covers part of the pickguard and the neck pickup sticking up through the guard will prevent you from pulling the guard back to remove it.

Loosen your strings slightly. If you have a capo handy, if wouldn’t hurt use that to keep the strings in place, but this is no big deal either way. Loosen the neck screws with a #2 phillips screwdriver and hopefully the neck will raise up from the body as you do this. I’d imagine a few turns of each screw will be enough for you to get the guard up over the neck pickup and then around and under the strings.

Install the new pickguard and tighten the neck screws again. As you tighten the neck, keep an eye on the neck alignment. It’s not uncommon for necks on Teles and Strats to tilt so the high E string is too close to the edge of the fingerboard up near where the neck joins the body, which will result in that string “falling off” the fingerboard if you play up high on that string.

So make sure your E strings are equidistant from the edges of the fretboard, tighten neck screws, retune guitar, and you’re done.


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 8:49 am
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A good, informative,and detailed post George. He should have no problems following it. :wink:


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:38 pm
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George,

Thank you!

You should post this under it's own heading.

I did think about the 5 hole single ply, but went with the 8 hole 3 ply. Didn't even think about the 50's bridge match.....

Anyway, thanks again. I'll let everyone know, and see, how it goes.


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 5:45 pm
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George wrote:
Some thoughts on this situation –

There are many sources for pickguards on the internet. Warmoth, Stewart MacDonald, Chandler, GFS, Pickguardian, and many others. You can also usually find Fender brand pickguards for sale at Guitar Center and other Fender dealers.

When switching guards, it’s common to find the holes won’t line up perfectly. Don’t be surprised if you have to angle in a screw or two, and if the holes are really off, you might want to dab a little wood glue on a toothpick, stick it in the screw hole in the body, snap it off and sand it flush, and then drill a new hole. I've found the holes in Fender brand pickguards usually line up well on MIA and MIM Fenders - no surprise there.

You should be able to find a pickguard with no pickup adjustment holes. Stewart-Macdonald sells 3-ply, 8-hole guards without pickup adjustment holes, and a black Fender ’52 Reissue pickguard will fit too, even though it only has five holes. It’s a one-ply and will give a more vintage look which I think works great on a Highway One which has the old-style 3-saddle bridge, but that’s just my opinion.

With whatever pickguard you choose, you will probably have to loosen and raise the neck a bit because that 22nd fret overhang on the Highway One covers part of the pickguard and the neck pickup sticking up through the guard will prevent you from pulling the guard back to remove it.

Loosen your strings slightly. If you have a capo handy, if wouldn’t hurt use that to keep the strings in place, but this is no big deal either way. Loosen the neck screws with a #2 phillips screwdriver and hopefully the neck will raise up from the body as you do this. I’d imagine a few turns of each screw will be enough for you to get the guard up over the neck pickup and then around and under the strings.

Install the new pickguard and tighten the neck screws again. As you tighten the neck, keep an eye on the neck alignment. It’s not uncommon for necks on Teles and Strats to tilt so the high E string is too close to the edge of the fingerboard up near where the neck joins the body, which will result in that string “falling off” the fingerboard if you play up high on that string.

So make sure your E strings are equidistant from the edges of the fretboard, tighten neck screws, retune guitar, and you’re done.


Excellent information in your post, George, and well written!

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Post subject: I did it! Thanks!
Posted: Sat Aug 29, 2009 8:45 pm
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Thanks for all your help guys. George, you need to make that explanation It's own thread!

My first Tele, my first electric, my first 'mod'.


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