Hand-cut pickguards for Stratocaster, Telecaster, Precision & Jazz Bass, Jazzmaster, Mustang, Les Paul, SG — and just about anything else you put in front of us. Pick a finish from the library, or send us your own art.
Common questions about fit, model compatibility, and pickup configuration — so your new pickguard drops in on the first try.
Fitment comes down to three things: the guitar model (Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster, Precision Bass, Jazz Bass, PRS Silver Sky, etc.), the year or reissue era, and the pickup configuration (SSS, HSS, HH, single-coil, humbucker, P90). We cut each pickguard to the correct outline and screw pattern for that specific model and pickup layout. If your guitar is a common US, Mexican, Japanese, or Squier build, pick it from the model list. For anything unusual, send a tracing or photo through the contact page and we'll confirm before cutting.
Yes. Our Stratocaster and Telecaster pickguards fit standard Fender American, American Standard, Player, Vintera, and most Squier Classic Vibe and Affinity bodies. Our Precision Bass and Jazz Bass shapes cover standard Fender and Squier basses. We also cut Jazzmaster, Jaguar (Vibe and Player Series), PRS Silver Sky, and Yamaha Pacifica 012. Non-standard reissues (Custom Shop, Masterbuilt, boutique partscasters) may need a template — contact us first.
No. The pickup routes must match. An SSS (three single-coil) pickguard has three narrow openings; HSS has a humbucker slot at the bridge; HH has two humbucker slots. Choosing the wrong configuration means the pickups won't seat. Pick the layout that matches your guitar's pickups in the configurator, or send a photo of the current pickguard and we'll match it.
Standard Stratocaster pickguards have 11 screw holes. Vintage-style 8-hole Strat guards, 5-hole Telecaster guards, and 4-hole Jazzmaster guards also exist. Our Strat cut is 11-hole by default; Telecaster follows the modern 8-hole pattern; Precision Bass is 13-hole. If your guitar uses a vintage pattern, mention it in the order notes and we'll drill to match.
Pickguards are cut from 3-ply acrylic (typically 2.3 mm / 0.090") — the standard thickness for Fender-style guitars. The UV print and photo finish sit on the top layer with a clear protective coat, so the surface is scratch-resistant and won't fade under stage lighting.
Yes. Our pickguards ship blank — you transfer your existing electronics (pickups, 5-way switch, pots, jack, wiring) onto the new guard. Nothing is soldered from our end unless you specifically request a loaded assembly. Screw holes for the pickup covers and control cavity match standard hardware.
Send a high-resolution photo of your existing pickguard laid flat on a light background, or trace the outline on paper and scan it, through the contact page. We build custom templates regularly for offset, boutique, and vintage builds. There is a small setup fee for one-off templates, credited toward the pickguard order.
No. The print sits on top of the acrylic and doesn't change the pickguard's mass, thickness, or how it interacts with the pickups. Tone is identical to a plain 3-ply guard of the same thickness.
Band logo. Album cover. Your kid's drawing. A photo from the road. Upload it and we'll proof, cut, and ship a one-of-one pickguard you won't find anywhere else.
One bench. One pair of hands. Every guard, signed.
Montes Custom started as a side project in a garage in 2020 and turned into a full custom shop. Every pickguard is cut, shaped, polished and inspected by hand. If you can dream it, we can probably build it.
