Mustang Pickguard on Musiclander?

[rgand]

The Mustang pickguard looks like the original Swinger/Musiclander pickguard except for pickup cutouts but there may be subtle differences. Does anyone know if they fit? Is it close enough a fit between the neck and bridge?

 

[Fat Pete]

I think there are quite a few differences - the lower horns are quite different shapes (assuming we're talking about Warmoth's versions) and the waist positions are different. They're also different scale lengths so the neck pocket to bridge distances are not the same.

 

[rgand]

OK, that answers my question. I don't see a pickguard offered for the Musiclander so it looks like that would be a custom item. Thanks for the prompt reply and the explanation.

 

[Fat Pete]

No problem. W don't offer a front-routed Musiclander body anyway so the pickguard wouldn't be the biggest issue if you're planning a vintage repro.

I'm part way through a front-rout Musiclander conversion myself but I'm going my own way in terms of the pickguard design. It wouldn't be too hard to do a vintage version though if you're ok doing the routing yourself. Somebody should try it!

 

[rgand]

I'm thinking about that as my next build. I'd like a stand-off rather than a 100% replica. I'm not beyond putting a pickguard on it even if the back is routed. That would facilitate easy access for electronics fiddling in the future, which I am prone to do. The control plate could go on with machine screws and nuts rather than wood screws. Also, the 22 1/2" scale of the originals doesn't excite me a lot. 24 1/2" would be better. Too bad W doesn't offer a chambered version. Then a TV Jones would really do well on it. I would expect that setting up for all that just isn't profitable for them. After all, how many would they have to sell to make up the setup costs? Yeah, I can attack it with a router and be done with it. I could have anything except the chambering then. I could even chamber it if I really wanted to but that's more work than it warrants.

Do you have a thread showing the progress on yours? I'd love to see it.

 

[Fat Pete]

Sounds good! Bear in mind, if you're going to use threaded inserts for the control plate and/or pickguard, that there's only 1/4" of wood in the control cavity area. Might be worth asking Warmoth if they'd omit the rear cavity altogether.

I have a fairly accurate drawing of the body you can have if you're a plan it out on paper or screen first kind of guy.

My work in progress thread is here, though there isn't much progress at the moment. The body is off getting painted and I have most of the parts on hand so it'll be moving along soonish.

 

[rgand]

I took a look. It looks good. That neck is really nice. Is it the standard 25 1/2" scale? It looks like you will make the pickguard wrap back around it like a Telecaster Custom. It's kind of fun to look right through the body, eh?  :icon_thumright:

 

[Fat Pete]

I took a look. It looks good. That neck is really nice. Is it the standard 25 1/2" scale? It looks like you will make the pickguard wrap back around it like a Telecaster Custom.

Yep, 25 1/2" - because it's going to have swappable pickguards I didn't want a fretboard overhang making that more difficult and 21 fret necks are only available on the 25 1/2". It will be a big plate like a Tele Custom, yes - but this one looks more like a cross between an Ovation Breadwinner (or Deacon?), a spaceship and a Christmas tree!

It's kind of fun to look right through the body, eh?  :icon_thumright:

He he, it is indeed. Makes a convenient handle too.

 

[rgand]

Glad to know the 25 1/2" works so well. I also like to be able to yank pickguards easily.

Your pickguard sounds very interesting.

He he, it is indeed. Makes a convenient handle too.

:toothy12: