Stratocaster build

[Zitterhal13]

Help please! I am building a stratocaster, my first guitar. I build furniture, among other things.
I have the body ready for routing components. The body is made out of Butternut with inlaid stripes of Kentucky Coffee Tree and American Chestnut. My visual rendition of Eddie Van Halen's many fine works of art. I would like to keep the pick guard to a minimum if at all. I have a pattern for a more traditional strat. Can I get some advise on how to do this? A different pattern, what components I use and so on. I am a newbie to this form of building. I would really appreciate the help!!!

 

[stratamania]

It is not clear what you are asking about. If it is making part of a pickguard rather than the entire thing, the easiest way would be to start with a complete pickguard, or make one and then cut off the parts you don't need.

 

[rockandroller]

Maybe use a standard pickguard in CLEAR plastic? The back of it could be selectively painted if you just wanted to hide and/or shield the wiring...

 

[rockandroller]

PS: POST PICS!!!

 

[Zitterhal13]

Thank you, everyone that has replied! As I typed earlier, I am new to this kind of build and don't want to screw it up. Sorry for being redundant.
I have seen strats without any pick guards. With back mounted components. I'm just a bit confused on the how and the way to get there. I can certainly include pictures of the body and the pattern I have. I'm haven't cut it out yet. I thought I would router for the components first. So, I am at a stand still. I will be slow to reply at times. I am a Horticulturist by trade. This is a very busy time of year for me. Oh, I do have the neck. Custom from Warmoth. Canary wood and Bird's eye Maple.

 

[Steve_Karl]

Yes - "rear rout" does not require a pick guard. Rear Rout is my go-to.
Give Warmoth a call and they can snail mail you a paper rear route template - that you can use as a guide to rout the cavity.
You can make your own cavity cover or buy one from Warmoth (first before you rout the cavity).

Here's a description and photo of the rear rout cavity:

https://warmoth.com/guitar-control-cavity

 

[Zitterhal13]

Thank you for the help. I would like to I have been getting help from Joe at Warmoth. I'll look into the pattern. I have a front mount pattern from Smokewood. Thanks again! I'll work on getting some pictures together.

 

[Zitterhal13]

Here's my first blank. Front and back side. I still haven't had a chance to get with Warmoth on a rear rout pattern. Extra time is a hot commodity right now.

 

[rockandroller]

mmmm.... Bacon...

 

[NedRyerson]

While still not 100% clear on what you have in your tool kit already, I'll make some assumptions.

It appears that you have a template for a general Strat shape, given the tracing you've done on the blank already. What you'll need in addition to (or in place of) is a template set that includes the routing cavities for the pickups (for the top) and the control cavity (for the rear). They might be two or more separate template pieces.

As a furniture builder, I would presume then that you have a drill press, a set of forstner bits, and the routing hardware, so no need to get into the details there.

There are sellers on eBay that offer template kits of varying configurations. What'll matter more is making sure that the top and back are aligned with each other, which typically means buying the set from the same seller. Or you could take your chances and free-hand the placement of the rear control cavity based on a template that's "close enough" and see what happens -- though with a unique piece of wood like that, I certainly wouldn't tempt fate.

Then you'll want to consider some kind of template for the cavity cover unless you're one of these barbarians on this forum who eschew cavity covers of any kind like heathens. They probably also play out in the rain without a coat on. Savages.