Squier Stratocaster Pickguard Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          2 hours

Sections

Pickguard
6 steps

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BackSquier Stratocaster Guitar
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Introduction

The pickguard is the piece of plastic on the body of the guitar that protects the body paint from scratches due to excessive playing. The Stratocaster’s unique design accomodates for both the pickups and the controls to all be mounted on to one piece of plastic, which makes the replacement of it straight forward.

Pickguards themselves can cost between $20-$100 and sometimes even more expensive depending on the material. A regular 3-ply plastic is recommended, but the design and color is preference. Fender is a good brand for this and they’re products are fairly affordable.

For this guide I used a 1997 Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster and a Fender Tortoise Shell Pickguard.

What you need

Step 1

              Pickguard

Remove the strings by loosening the tuners on the head of the guitar so the strings become loose. After they are loose you will be able to pull them through each tuning head and bend them away from your guitar so that they are not a hazard as you are working.

Remove the strings by loosening the tuners on the head of the guitar so the strings become loose. After they are loose you will be able to pull them through each tuning head and bend them away from your guitar so that they are not a hazard as you are working.

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Step 2

Remove the screws along the outer edge of the pickguard. Once removing all the screws from just the edge if the pickguard, the pickguard will become loose.
Be careful not to pull the pickguard completely off the guitar, because all of the wiring is still connected to the pickups, knobs, and switch.

Remove the screws along the outer edge of the pickguard. Once removing all the screws from just the edge if the pickguard, the pickguard will become loose.

Be careful not to pull the pickguard completely off the guitar, because all of the wiring is still connected to the pickups, knobs, and switch.

Step 3

With the pickguard free but still in it’s original position, pull the knobs off of the pots. This can be done by simply pulling them directly up from the body.
If the knobs do not come off easy, use only a soft pliable material, such as a plastic bag, cloth, or piece of cardboard to wedge underneath the knob. Wrap the piece around the knob and you will be able to get a better grip of the knob and you will be less likely to break the pot.
Remove the plastic top of the selector switch by pulling it directly up from the body, just like the knobs.

With the pickguard free but still in it’s original position, pull the knobs off of the pots. This can be done by simply pulling them directly up from the body.

If the knobs do not come off easy, use only a soft pliable material, such as a plastic bag, cloth, or piece of cardboard to wedge underneath the knob. Wrap the piece around the knob and you will be able to get a better grip of the knob and you will be less likely to break the pot.

Remove the plastic top of the selector switch by pulling it directly up from the body, just like the knobs.

Step 4

Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the two screws holding in the selector switch.
With an 11mm Wrench, remove the screws from the tops of the pots. Be careful to hold the bottom of the pot while doing this in order to prevent wires from tearing.

Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the two screws holding in the selector switch.

With an 11mm Wrench, remove the screws from the tops of the pots. Be careful to hold the bottom of the pot while doing this in order to prevent wires from tearing.

Step 5

Lastly remove the pickups from the old pickguard. Do this by loosening them all the way with a Phillips screwdriver.
Be careful not to lose any springs, as they are sandwiched in-between the pickguard and the pickups.
Repeat for all three pickups. If your guitar has a humbucker pickup in the bridge position, this may be different for that pickup.

Lastly remove the pickups from the old pickguard. Do this by loosening them all the way with a Phillips screwdriver.

Be careful not to lose any springs, as they are sandwiched in-between the pickguard and the pickups.

Repeat for all three pickups. If your guitar has a humbucker pickup in the bridge position, this may be different for that pickup.

Step 6

Repeat these steps in reverse in order to reassemble the guitar.
Depending on your particular make and model of Stratocaster, the holepattern on your guitar may be different than the pickguard. If so drill holes as needed in order to place screws in the outer holes.

Repeat these steps in reverse in order to reassemble the guitar.

Depending on your particular make and model of Stratocaster, the holepattern on your guitar may be different than the pickguard. If so drill holes as needed in order to place screws in the outer holes.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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                    Noah Hight

Member since: 08/27/2020

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                       Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Team S3-G19, Cromer Twal Fall 2020                        

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