Strat Pickguard Templates

[Ocifer]

I'll be needing a new pickguard once I drop a humbucker in the bridge of my Strat. I would like to try making my own pickguard. I know I could trace the shape from my existing one, but I'm not exactly sure where/how big to cut the humbucker slot near the bridge.

Are there any printable templates online? I tried 'googling' the subject and came up dry. Or, has anyone done this before and have a method or advice?

[LiquidSky]

I cut my bridge to fit a JB in there. It was actually pretty hard to do and the pickguard came out looking haggard so I had to buy a new one anyway. I needed to do it though because I couldn't afford one at the time. Take your pickguard off and flip the humbucker over so that the pole pieces are facing down and place it on the pickguard. Place it so that the existing hole is in the middle of the face down pickup and take a marker and trace an outline of it. That way the pickup is laying flat AND you'll have the perfect shape of the humbucker your putting in. I say to put the existing hole in the middle so that you can hopefully use the existing screw holes, if not it's not too hard to take a punch and make you a new hole. You might be able to do really well with a small dremel tool of some sort, exacto knives/key saws don't work good at all! Pickguards are some tough stuff! Good luck with it man!

[Ocifer]

Well, my concern isn't getting the basic shape in the guard. I'm trying to find a way to make sure that the hole I cut lines up with the rout in the body.

[LiquidSky]

Ohhhh ok...I dunno about that bro. I guess I just got lucky with my cut because the body routing never crossed my mind...I mean I knew I was routed for a hum but I never thought that my cut in the pickguard might be off to where it wouldn't work Lol

[Mr 9finger]

Here is what I would do. I'd take the guard completely off the body and do a pencil rubbing of the pickup routes. Then I would I would lay that pencil rubbing on the old guard using the neck and middle pickup holes for placement markers and route the old guard for a bucker in the bridge. Then I would use the old guard as my new template for the new guard.

Make sense?

[Ocifer]

Yes, actually. This is a damn good idea, actually. From what LiquidSky said, it seems as though I'll have trouble sawing or filing my way through the plastic, so I may make one out of wood, which would lend itself perfectly to drilling, sanding, filing, etc.

Really, cost is the issue now as I'll be broke once I buy new pickups and components. Eventually, I think I'll get a nice cream or cream perloid guard. I've been looking into WoodGuarden stuff as well, they make some sweet looking guards... what do you guys think?

http://www.woodguarden.com/

Also, since it looks like I'm going the home-made route, does anyone know where I could get some wood suitably thin enough for a guard?