How to Change A Pickguard

In this article i will be telling you exactly how to change a pickguard on your stratocaster guitar, in several easy steps.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Your guitar in a spacious working area.
• A philips head screwdriver.
• A spanner, or alternatively, a pair of pliers would be acceptable.
• Your new pickguard close by.

1. Start off by taking off the strings on your guitar, allowing access to the pickguard in which we are going to remove. It is recommended that you unwind the strings first, and avoid snapping it, otherwise you may cause unwanted tension on parts of your guitar, resulting in damage.
2. You now need to remove, the pickup switch tip, the two tone knobs, and the one volume knob which are located on the bottom right of your guitar. This could need a little assistance by simply using a knife to lever the three knobs, as in most cases just pulling them off could prove difficult. Obviously try to use as little force as possible with the knife, as it could result in very minor damage. After removing the plastic tone knobs, there will be small square washers on the top of the pickguard, holding the three pots in place. Remove these with either a spanner of the correct size, or alternatively a pair of pliers could be used to grip the washers and twist. Once these are removed you are ready to move onto your next step.
3. On your stratocaster, you will have screws going all around the outside holding your pickguard in place. On a recognised Fender Strat Guitar, there is normally 11 screws, but this will vary. Once removed your pickguard will simply lift off. Now dont let the wiring inside frighten you, just be careful not to break any of the soldering applied to them, whilst carrying out your next step.
4. You will now need to remove the pickup selector pot, and the pickups from your guitar. This is easily done by unscrewing each of the screws holding each article in place. Once this is done, put your old pickguard out of the way as you will not be needing it anymore. Now just place the pickups, and pickup selector pot, into your new pickguard, and follow this article backwards, start with screwing in the pickups, to replacing the strings. You are now ready to strum along in unique style!!

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a clear and tidy work area.
• Keep different shaped, and sized screws separate, when not using them.
• When inside the guitar, be careful not to tug too hard on wires, as they may come loose and need re-soldering.