Pickguard access with 22 fret neck

[Johnfv]

NOTE: I have edited my original post to a more constructive tone. Thanks for the feedback guys-

After playing Fender Strats for many years I bought my first Warmoth Strat build and ordered the "standard" 22 fret pro neck. I did not realize the fretboard overhang prevents installing/removing an assembled pickguard unless the neck is substantially loosened. Perhaps I am unique but I consider easy access to electronics on my Strat a necessity. My suggestions:
1) Could there be a more clear warning about this for 22 fret necks?  For example, I had no problem seeing the warning about my contoured heel needing short screws.
2) How about a pickguard option including a deeper cut at the neck pocket to be able to get on/off easily with the neck attached to the body?

 

[nexrex]

Not sure if the pickguard here is the problem. Did you go with the 720 mod on the body?

 

[rockskate4x]

you can't do the 720 mod on top routed bodies. Yes the pickguard is the problem. The pickguards did not change when Fender started making 22 fret strats and teles. If you think that you will be tweaking the electronics often, you can definitely mod the pickguard to make it easier to remove, though I don't know why the electronics need to be so extremely accessible, unless you are building the guitar for the single purpose of testing pickups, or you really like to wire things and can't get your hands out of control cavities.

 

[pabloman]

Use good parts. Wire it correctly. There really shouldn't be an issue. It`s only four screws hell you could probably get away with just loosening them anyway. 

 

[lafromla1]

That's why I buy rear routed bodies.  Plus you don't screw up some of the fine looking tops that Warmoth builds with a piece of plastic.

 

[Johnfv]

I'm not saying I need to take the pickguard assembly off all the time but every Strat I have (this is number 5) has had multiple pickguard assembly changes. Maybe I'm different but I like variety, I have full pickguard assemblies ready to go so if I want a different look and/or sound (white vs. black, vintage vs. hot pickups, etc.) I can easily swap.  I keep my guitars a long time and play them hard; I live in hot, humid Texas and often play outdoor gigs.  Even the best pots and switches get scratchy eventually in these conditions. With this configuration, I can't even spray some CAIG deoxit in a pot or switch without taking the neck off. Yes it is only 4 screws but it potentially messes up the subtleties of neck alignment, wears out the screw holes and in general is a PITA.  Mostly I am surprised that by ordering a "standard" Warmoth configuration this is what I ended up with. I'm going to talk to them about it (it will be a good exercise in finding out what their customer service is like).  To me there are a variety of solutions, ultimately perhaps it would be best if this neck ends up on a body that is rear rout (or at least has a big rout at the neck position so the pickguard can easily be changed).

 

[AutoBat]

This is probably the first post I've seen someone be so negative about the fret overhang.  If you gently sand a bit of the bottom of the overhang, you'll be able to swap pickguards much easier.
Have you already tried removing the pickguard with the neck attached?  It may slide out after you raise the bridge section?

 

[Johnfv]

This is probably the first post I've seen someone be so negative about the fret overhang.   If you gently sand a bit of the bottom of the overhang, you'll be able to swap pickguards much easier.
Have you already tried removing the pickguard with the neck attached?  It may slide out after you raise the bridge section?

So maybe I am a minority of one that considers this a significant issue?  There are a number of ways to avoid it and it's been pointed out that the issue is mentioned in the details about the 21 fret neck.  I did not look at 21 fret necks because very few 21 fret necks are offered in the showcase and I thought the "standard" configuration would be the safe way for a noob to go.  I bought a contoured heel on the body and there are clear warnings about needing short screws to attach the neck there.  I would have preferred a similar clear warning about the pickguard issue but perhaps I am the only one who feels that way.  Valid point about the negative tone, I have edited my original post to be more constructive.

 

[Jusatele]

I am wondering, if you like the Warmoth so much, and want multiple sounds and looks, Why not own more guitars?

works for me and I do not have to bitch online about my choices

Plus, unpluging an axe, grabbing another and plugging it in makes changes so much faster onstage than pulling out the tools and changing an entire pickguard.
but I may be a little unreasonable about that. I know most audiences are used to 20 minute axe changes.

Plus I guess it is better to have a wall full of pickguards that a wall full of guitars, shows how thrifty you are.

OK, so you are on a board of Luhtiers and aspiring Luthiers, you gave a complaint and got an answer, modify the pickguard, but yet you press the issue? I think that we have a seen the guitar evolve and now have more choices, and with that maybe we need the pickguards to evolve. Makes sense to me.

 

[lafromla1]

I am wondering, if you like the Warmoth so much, and want multiple sounds and looks, Why not own more guitars?

works for me and I do not have to bitch online about my choices

Plus, unpluging an axe, grabbing another and plugging it in makes changes so much faster onstage than pulling out the tools and changing an entire pickguard.
but I may be a little unreasonable about that. I know most audiences are used to 20 minute axe changes.

Plus I guess it is better to have a wall full of pickguards that a wall full of guitars, shows how thrifty you are.

:laughing11: :laughing3: :laughing7:

 

[Alfang]

You started a new thread to continue to whine about the 22 fret pickguard problem? Dude go bandsaw off the 22nd fret, sand it and forget about it.

We can and will help you all we can, but at some point ( long ago) we don't care anymore, move on.

A few in the past have brought this up, been given advice, they said thanks for the advice and that was that. build another guitar with 21 frets

 

[Alfang]

Heres a real solution to your silly problem.

Capo the strings at the first fret, swing the trem bar pointing to the back and put some kind of block between the trem bar and body to slacken the strings, loosen the neck, swap pickguard, retighten neck, unblock trem remove capo done.

with all the work involved in swaping a pickguard, ie...pickguard screws, unsolder jack, the above mentioned step is a small quick one. I've done this many times, and didn't need to bash Warmoth for their lack of a large warning on 22 fret necks and pickguards with a neck mounted pup.

Not only are you in the minority on this issue, I believe you stand alone. maybe not, we'll see how many more whiners chime in now  Merry Christmas

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

You make this sound like it's a Warmoth specific problem and liken it to a warning about neck screws going through a fretboard.  Were your Fenders 21 or 22 frets?  I have a 22 fret Fender and have the same problem, well more of an inconvenience.  I received no warning from Fender about it, BTW.

 

[Johnfv]

I thought it was valid to post here in the suggestion box but it seems pretty clear that my opinion is unique. It was a noob mistake on my part, if I had researched more thoroughly I would have known.  I do have a 22 fret Fender but it has a universal rout, I never gave that aspect much thought. I'm glad that they do warn about the neck screws for the contoured heel, a similar warning about pickguard access would have helped me (but again it seems I am a minority of one here). I have the option of sending my current body back to get the neck pickup rout enlarged (or I may do it locally) and in the future I will know to order it that way. Sorry for venting; thanks to those that did post suggestions and perhaps someday another noob might learn something from them. 

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

We didn't mean to diminish your suggestion.  For me it is a known, so I just deal with it.

 

[Jusatele]

Seriously, I brought this up at a gig last night and the consensus was, what a *&&phat, buy another guitar if you want tone changes, who in the world changes entire pickguards out?"
well, there you go, as said by professional working musicians.

Hilite of the night, during a break we had a cat fight break out on the dance floor, but it was so dark in there my phone would not take a pic that was clear enough to see it.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Meow.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Seriously, I brought this up at a gig last night and the consensus was, what a *&&phat, buy another guitar if you want tone changes, who in the world changes entire pickguards out?"
well, there you go, as said by professional working musicians.

The thing of it is though, whether you're changing the pickguard, pot, one pickup, all the pickups, or a switch, the whole thing has to come out.  To suggest a pickguard will never be removed is absurd.  To take the neck off just to remove the pickguard, that's just an inconvenience.

In the case of the contoured heel, screws, and fretboard issue, that can ruin a neck and Warmoth lists a solution - USE THE APPROPRIATE SCREWS.  With the 22nd fret and pickguard, what is the suggestion?  Be aware?  Get a swimming pool route?  If given the option, I'd rather have the 22nd fret, no swimming pool route, and just deal with neck removal as it comes.

 

[nexrex]

Seriously, I brought this up at a gig last night and the consensus was, what a *&&phat, buy another guitar if you want tone changes, who in the world changes entire pickguards out?"
well, there you go, as said by professional working musicians.

The thing of it is though, whether you're changing the pickguard, pot, one pickup, all the pickups, or a switch, the whole thing has to come out.  To suggest a pickguard will never be removed is absurd.  To take the neck off just to remove the pickguard, that's just an inconvenience.

In the case of the contoured heel, screws, and fretboard issue, that can ruin a neck and Warmoth lists a solution - USE THE APPROPRIATE SCREWS.  With the 22nd fret and pickguard, what is the suggestion?  Be aware?  Get a swimming pool route?  If given the option, I'd rather have the 22nd fret, no swimming pool route, and just deal with neck removal as it comes.

WHHHAAAATTTTT? You change out your entire pickguard for a new tone.  :icon_scratch:  Sounds kinda kooky to me. Seriously can mod lock this thread, so we can get it over and done with.

 

[Alfang]

Nobody is suggesting that pickguards won't be removed, I think the general concensus is that it's not that big a deal. While the soldering iron is heating up, loosen the neck and remove the pickguard. Done deal.

Whats next? I don't like desoldering pups on a rear route? No Body told me......wheres the big warning for that?