Pickguard modifying

[Bingusas]

Heya folks,
I want to do a top-routed soloist build like the guitar below


(Y.O.S. Quintic)

What I want specifically is the metal control place for the knobs and p.u. switch. According to the internet pickguards with those metal control plates are Fullerton Pickguards (at least for Fender Strats). Now my question would if I were to buy the soloist pickguard, how difficult would it be to modify the pickguard with such a control plate and how I should do the mod or if I should go to a professional?

 

[rockandroller]

I modded a Warmoth Soloist pickguard to accomodate moving a Kahler bridge...
(see this note)

In my opinion that vinyl is VERY TRICKY to cut... dremel just melted it, but it's too tough for a typical razor-knife. If you don't have access to some excellent tools, I would leave it to a professional...

 

[WrongPickguard]

Heya folks,
I want to do a top-routed soloist build like the guitar below

View attachment 67491 View attachment 67492 View attachment 67493
(Y.O.S. Quintic)

What I want specifically is the metal control place for the knobs and p.u. switch. According to the internet pickguards with those metal control plates are Fullerton Pickguards (at least for Fender Strats). Now my question would if I were to buy the soloist pickguard, how difficult would it be to modify the pickguard with such a control plate and how I should do the mod or if I should go to a professional?

Trying to mod a pickguard is painfully difficult. I love YOS guitars, so I've looked into this before, but pickguards are hard to cut without the right (expensive) tools. Some people can do it with hand tools, but it never worked out for me. I didn't even attempt to try the control plate.

I couldn't find anyone professional who could do custom pickguards like this either, so if you ever find anyone, let me know.

 

[JohnnyHardtail]

This is possible if you don’t mind spending the time and find yourself a couple of appropriate files. Rather than melting the pickguard with a dremel, I often drill a series of holes and snip between each hole with side cutters, or dremel can be used too. From there its a tracing / marking and filing until you get an acceptable alignment with the metal control plate. It is just time consuming and try to mask areas of the pickguard so you don’t scratch it up while working.