Removing a pickguard on a front routed guitar

[ChopDuel]

Hey guys,
I've been searching for a good guide around google and in here and failed to find one.
So does anyone have a link to a nice guide or can at least share some experience on how to safely remove a pickguard off a front-routed guitar? (RG1550 in my case)
I've never done it and i plan on taking a peek inside and maybe replacing a volume pot or something, so I'd like to know some important DOs and DON'Ts before i try.

[skins345669]

Can't you just unscrew it?

[ChopDuel]

well yeah, that's the general idea.

thing is - as far as i understand not all screws should be removed since some of them are for connecting the components to the pickguard itself.
things like the pickups are going up together with the pickguard, so i'd like to know how to avoid tearing off a wire or something like that.

[coopertron]

I just unscrewed all the screws from around the edge of the pick guard and lifted it of to see what I needed and then put it back. there will probably be a wire going to the jack but other than that I think thats it. never really though about it when I did it. hmm I might do it again just to kill some time.

[Vim Fuego]

There'll be a couple of wires connecting the volume to the jack, and an earth wire to the bridge, be careful with those otherwise take the screws out near the edge, leave the screws right next to the pickups and selector switch.
If you've not done this before and you have a trem, then be careful how you take the stings off, I'd slacken the trem spirings as you go.
Jim

[coopertron]

I forgot all about the strings! possibly the most important bit of the guitar

[eruji]

if you dont want to bother removing the strings you can remove the neck under full tension. Just put a rag under the tail end of your floating bridge, flip the guitar over and remove the neck screws while holding the neck joint tightly. And wiggle the neck out of the pocket. quick and easy neck removal to get the strings out of the way.

[6fingers]

Originally Posted by skins345669

Can't you just unscrew it?

bwahahahahahahahaahhahahaha

No my friend cause maybe..................... there are darker things below the surface !

[southpaw_lefty]

Originally Posted by eruji

if you dont want to bother removing the strings you can remove the neck under full tension. Just put a rag under the tail end of your floating bridge, flip the guitar over and remove the neck screws while holding the neck joint tightly. And wiggle the neck out of the pocket. quick and easy neck removal to get the strings out of the way.

An alternative to this would be to just pop the springs and take the bridge off.

[ChopDuel]

the strings aren't a problem, rich has a guide about taking the trem off with the strings still on and in tune

[Trfsrfr]

Dude,
Remove the back spring cover (6 screws).
If your trem has a locking plate for the springs, remove those 3 screws.
Pull up as far as you can on the trem, and remove the trem tension springs (usually 3, some people use more).

Then gently remove the tremolo, with the strings attached. and set it aside. If you want to (and if you dont have a neck-thru) remove the screws that hold the neck in place and set the whole thing aside.

After that, like Jim said, remove the screws near the edge of the pickguard and SLOWLY lift it up and see what is underneath.

Its really simple.

Ive disassembled every guitar Ive ever owned. Its the best way to understand your gear.

[Ayrton]

Originally Posted by eruji

if you dont want to bother removing the strings you can remove the neck under full tension. Just put a rag under the tail end of your floating bridge, flip the guitar over and remove the neck screws while holding the neck joint tightly. And wiggle the neck out of the pocket. quick and easy neck removal to get the strings out of the way.

That is a good way to chip up your body.

Just remove the trem springs.