P90 and standard Telecaster pickguard?

[TBsq]

Hi, I want to know if the bridge P90 pickup cavity of a Telecaster will be well aligned with a standard pickguard? I get OCD on these sorts of things

 

[stratamania]

Check the dimensions of both and measure or draw it out.

Here is a link to options for the pickguard and even pdfs you can print out, there are two options for type of bridge cut outs.

https://www.warmoth.com/Pickguard/TelePickguard.aspx

Presumably if you are having a P90 in the bridge position you will be using some other type of bridge.

Both the pickguard cut outs and pickup routs are referenced off a centre line for the rest compare measurements.

Oh and provide more information in your question as it makes it easier for answers to be given.

 

[TBsq]

I plan to have the route already done in the Telecaster so I don't how or where to check the dimensions.
When I said aligned I also meant horizontally, so the bridge pickup isn't to far below the pickguard, I want it just inside the pickguard cut out.

 

[Fat Pete]

Here's one from Warmoth's customer gallery:

If you're not happy with the gap as stock, you could always modify it a little so it was the same all the way round the pickup.

Alternatively, there are various places you can get something more custom.

 

[TBsq]

Should I ask Warmoth to make the route so that it just fits the pickguard? And what do you mean by "various places" ?

 

[Ace Flibble]

Warmoth don't move their pickup routes around. All the positions are programmed into and carried out by CNC, so there are no variations.

What you can do, however, is buy a pickguard that has no bridge slot cut out and then cut out the gap in the pickguard yourself, or if you ask some custom pickguard companies (just search Google for 'custom pickguards [insert name of your country here]' and you'll find loads) they might be able to cut the slot for you, if you can provide them with an accurate drawing of where the P-90 is and where the bridge cut needs to be. (They can't just guess it, they'll need measurements or a template from you.) To do that the best method would be to wait until you have the guitar body and a standard pickguard. Put the pickguard on the body with the P-90 in place and measure the gap between the pickup and pickguard. Then trace the pickguard onto a piece of paper but 'fill in' the bridge gap to fit the P-90. Most pickguard companies can then use that tracing to cut you a new guard with a bridge cutout that fits the P-90 exactly.

 

[TBsq]

Ok so can I simply ask Warmoth to make a pickguard without bridge cut?

 

[Ace Flibble]

No I've asked Warmoth many times and they won't do any variations on pickguards, only the standard options that are on the website. You can ask a pickguard company to do it. As I said, if you put "custom pickguards [your country]" into Google you'll be able to find a company near to you that can do the pickguard. Most pickguard companies will ask you to send them either an original guard or a tracing of a guard for them to copy, but if you tell them you just want a regular Tele guard with no cutout for the bridge, so you can shape that yourself, they should be able to handle that.

 

[TBsq]

There's only one company that do that in my country and it's too expensive.

 

[kucoyote]

I am willing!