Route for pickups without pickguard?

[drysideshooter]

I am getting ready to order a Warmoth body for a standard Strat build.  I am planning to have a rear route and not use a pick guard.  The standard route for the front looks like there is an extra curve in the pickup area that would be covered by a pickguard.  If I plan to use Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder, standard strat shape pickups, without a pickguard, do I need to order the EMG pickup route so there won't be a gap around the pickups?

Thanks in advance for the help. Totally new here and anxious to do a build.

 

[Fat Pete]

Yes, if you're using 'flat' pickups like this...

...and don't want to use surrounds, the EMG option will give a cleaner look.

Might be worth bearing in mind that if you decide down the track that you're not so keen on those particular pickups, you will have a massively reduced range of replacement options.

 

[drysideshooter]

Thanks Fat Pete.  I appreciate the help.

So pickup covers would obviously cover the rounded area?  Aren't the Seymour Duncan pickups the same size as quite a few other single coils like Fender Fat 50's?  If not, I will have to go with some type of cover.  Any suggestions on something that wouldn't detract from a clean look?

 

[Fat Pete]

By 'surrounds' I mean this sort of thing (AKA pickup rings):

Fender Fat 50s appear to have a standard base:

So no, they wouldn't fit the EMG option.

Having had a quick look round, it does look like you would actually have a fair range to choose from - A lot of SD's stuff appears to be 'non-triangular'. You'd just have to make sure before buying. When packed in a retail box you often can't see the bottom plate - as with the Fat 50s.

 

[drysideshooter]

Thanks Fat Pete.  I did some looking around and there are some pickup trim rings that I like the look of. I'd rather have more options than less for sure.

Something I can't find much of a selection of is a plate for just the 5 way switch. 

 

[Fat Pete]

...Something I can't find much of a selection of is a plate for just the 5 way switch.

Warmoth cut some extra relief in the control cavity so you can mount the switch direct. Using a plate would probably involve additional work (on your part).

 

[Cagey]

I spent a great deal of time a couple years ago trying to find blade switch bezels, and had almost no luck at all. But, I did find one. If you ever do need such a thing due to a badly cut slot or whatever, you can order these...

...from AliExpress (China). Takes a couple weeks to get them, but as close as I can tell it's the only place to get them.