Scratchplate for Squier Fender Strat

Vinylfan

Hi
My daughter has a Squier Fender Strat which she/I would like to change around a little.  One of the things she'd like is to change the scratchplate.  Having a quick look around, there seems to be lots of choices  both in terms of finish, quality and shape.

So my question is - what should I look for and is there a particular shape that would fit her guitar best?  The guitar in question is from about 2000 and is one of the strats that would have come as part of a kit (the serial number starts with CAE).

Be grateful for some pointers.  Ultimately I'll probably change the pick-ups and the pots too but thought I'd ask about the plate first.

Cheers

Alnico

Vinylfan said:

Hi
My daughter has a Squier Fender Strat which she/I would like to change around a little.  One of the things she'd like is to change the scratchplate.  Having a quick look around, there seems to be lots of choices  both in terms of finish, quality and shape.

So my question is - what should I look for and is there a particular shape that would fit her guitar best?  The guitar in question is from about 2000 and is one of the strats that would have come as part of a kit (the serial number starts with CAE).

Be grateful for some pointers.  Ultimately I'll probably change the pick-ups and the pots too but thought I'd ask about the plate first.

Cheers

Squiers can be difficult for this as *sometimes* the screw holes on a Fender plate won't match up.
The best solution is to find a place that will sell actual genuine Squier accessories and don't be fooled by what 'All parts' claim is correct. That lot don't know their arse from their elbow. All they care about is money in the till.

Alternatively, find someone that makes custom plates and send them yours as a template.

Either Scratch It or Jacks Instrument Services but this isn't the cheapest option, it is, however, the best and the most foolproof way of getting one that absolutely fits and to a large degree you get to choose what you have.
Scratch it can't and won't do bevelled edges or countersunk holes but Jack's will do, however, Jack charges more.

Click those links for the websites.

prowla

The number of screw holes is something to note.
Also whether the pickup configuration is SSS (traditional 3x single coil), HSS (Humbucker + 2x single coil).
That should filter out a lot of the wrong ones.

Vinylfan

Thanks chaps - will take a look at the sites you mentioned and also count the number of screw holes!  I was looking on eBay and there are lots out there.  This one has the traditional SSS configuration and we'll probably keep it that way.

Ideally I'd want as straightforward a fit as possible.

Might put out a WTB as well.

thermionic

There are a few ebay sellers with a range of USA/Mex/Jap etc but not many specifically for Squiers. Some of them have templates which you can print off to check screw hole position and cutouts etc but it's still a bit of a gamble, and almost always requires firing up the Dremel (or at least a sanding block or small file). If screw holes don't align you could always drill new ones as they won't be seen, but the problem is when they're just a little off and they force the screw into the wood at an angle.

I got a Jaguar pickguard from this ebay seller, screw holes were 99% correct, some minor filing required around the bridge posts.

usedtobe

That feeling when you buy a scratch plate, and it's nearly, but just not quite right.. Worth paying the extra for a custom job, to avoid, imho..

Alegree

If it's the same size as normal US/Mex with a different screw pattern, i sell some without screw holes, for you to do yourself.
Much cheaper than a custom job for sure.

Gagaryn

http://www.guitarselectric.co.uk/SCRATCH_PLATES/cat207304_175212.aspx I've bought a load of stuff off of these guys, they sell on eBay too under the same name. I like them, even cheap stuff I've got from them like repro knobs have been better than stuff I've got elsewhere. They'll send you a template that you can print off to get an idea if it will fit but they often need a wee bit of fettling - even Fender pickguards on Fender guitars!

crunchman

As others have said, screw holes can be an issue.  It's not just Squiers.  Fender Mexico can be different from Fender US.

Funkfingers

On some Chinese-made Squier Affinity STRAT models and the Y serial number examples, the single-ply white scratchplate is slightly elongated in the corner nearest the output jack. So is the control cavity rout beneath.

The upshots of this are:
1) A regular pickguard may leave the original screw hole exposed.
2) The screw for the equivalent position on the replacement/upgrade pickguard may have nothing into which to bite. (Only fresh air!)

Vinylfan

Really useful chaps, thanks.  I will do some exploring...

Just looking at the guitar now and it has a 3 ply plate at the moment (looks like 2 white layers and a black layer - presume that is what is meant by 3 ply?) and 11 screw holes so at least I'm narrowing it down!

Alegree

Vinylfan said:

Really useful chaps, thanks.  I will do some exploring...

Just looking at the guitar now and it has a 3 ply plate at the moment (looks like 2 white layers and a black layer - presume that is what is meant by 3 ply?) and 11 screw holes so at least I'm narrowing it down!

To about 90% of the pickguards on the market unfortunately!

Vinylfan

Alegree said:

Vinylfan said:

Really useful chaps, thanks.  I will do some exploring...

Just looking at the guitar now and it has a 3 ply plate at the moment (looks like 2 white layers and a black layer - presume that is what is meant by 3 ply?) and 11 screw holes so at least I'm narrowing it down!

To about 90% of the pickguards on the market unfortunately!

Fair point!