Thanks Bat.
I know I'll have to redo my method if I inlay anymore pickguards.
Although it did work there are a few areas where the "lines/ woods" don't match perfectly. I did taper the positive (guard) so when I clamped it down it would hopefully fill any little spaces (by the pressure wedging it in) but if that worked it didn't cover all of it.
I don't like filling. It never looks good and no matter how small the area is IMO.
 
 
 
That's a good question. I read Fender use to grind a groove in a nail head and scrape it off.
 
I waited a day and went around the frets with a razor blade. I hope it shrinks and releases from the frets.
I polished them before spraying so maybe that'll help in removing it.
I'll tape of the board, do what I have to and then polish them again while doing the fretboard.
 
I know I liked the way my '57 looked when I finished. It still had finish around the sides of the frets from the Custom Shop. Maybe this one will come out the same. My second one so really just going for it trying to get what I think it should be. I'll post the results and what I had to do...win or lose.
 
I've also read that some tape off the frets...I didn't want to go there. I'd probably blow it and not get finish around the bottom of the frets. Rather do the work polishing it off.
 
 

yea, i've seen older lacquered neck jobs, where the lacquer goes all the way up the sides of the frets.....
which i would think, over time, would chip and become grime grabbers.....
 

Rickenbacker basses have a glossy lacquered fret board. I haven't noticed any grime build up on mine yet.

Michael, you have got me started down this road. I took your suggestion on starting small. I have been wanting a Fender Strat again, for a while. I wanted some different tonal textures...so I was looking for single coil pickups and a maple neck, to offset all the rosewood/ humbucker tones I already had. I wanted to find something that I could learn to tweak, by experimenting on it myself.

I ended up finding a MIM Squier Strat at a pawn shop for less than $100. I went for this one because it has a full size Fender neck and body. Most info that I could find on the '91-'93 MIM suggested that many of them where made with left over necks and bodies from the California plant. I think this one has those traits, though I have not had a chance to take the pick guard or back plate off yet.

My plan is to star replacing all of the electronics, pickups, bridge and tuners...maybe even the nut, should I get ambitious. It seems like it is going to be a good platform to mod.

Mike that is great and hope you get as much fun out of it as I.
I can say that winding pickups sure helps make it much more fun.
It's not expensive building the winder and I can wind 3 sets (9 pups) for way under
the cost of 1 set of Fenders (3 pups). I also know that in my life I have never met
one person that can tell what brand of pickup is in a guitar by only listening. The benefit is
that if you wind then you can adjust the pups to fit the guitar.
I now have 3 sets to try out when I get to start assembly- delayed by finish drying time.
 
It also seems that my idea is believed to be original...at least by the many that have seen it. (personally I don't care if it is or not)
There is a luthier in Texas Mike that is building one now using the idea- here is a shot-

 
I've been humbled by many luthiers with their compliments and have really enjoyed seeing where they are taking
the idea.
 
 
 
Here is the last set I wound.

 
All three sets are wound with the same number of turns; 8600, 8400 and 8200.
Two sets are Alnico 2 and one is A5. All readings are very close to the same- Range 6.47 B, 6.32 M, 6.12 N
I also kept polarity the same on all 3 sets- the middle is not RWRP. They are as pre CBS.
 

 
 
Have fun Mike!

I've always been interested in building instruments, my friend built a start once... This is looking sweet, spacey!
 

Man, Spacey, you make my head spin when you start talking about all that technical stuff about winding the pickups. I wish I knew what you were talking about, as it looks so fun!

Thank you davdud101.
 
LOL Leadfoot!  I know how you feel...99.9% of the threads posted in the CH I don't understand (nor want to) and make my head spin. I'm experienced though so for years only attempt to read .10% of them and I know it's getting less...but my head doesn't spin much and know that there are only a few that I post the info for so it's all good! Very little cerebral collateral damage being done either way.
 
I still find the music doom and gloom threads very funny though.
 

∞

Mike the black wrapped is a tape commonly used on pickups.
The white is string wrapped- black dyed potting wax was also used.
The copper is the wire coil exposed.
I did pot all three sets. They are all nice and tight wraps so wax is really just added protection.
The white and red bobbins I purchased from a new supplier - notice the bevel magnets difference from the other two sets.
 
None of the variations really matter. Most of the time they're covered with plastic covers.
The Tele bridge was exposed -white or black twine wrap or tape would be seen depending on what they were doing at the time.