Stratocaster® Pickguard Hole Patterns
Happy New Year! Let's start it off by taking a brief look at the different Stratocaster pickguard patterns. Some of these patterns can be confusing especially since there are multiples that have the same number of holes with screws that are placed in different positions.
The first photo is a diagram of our 4 different 1959 Hole Patterns
(Available on our 3 Ply Mint Green Transition Era Pickguard)
(The "1957 - 8 Hole" Pattern is also used for the 1 Ply White Guards from 1954 - 1959)
We offer 4 patterns for 1959. Two 8 Hole Styles ('57 or '59) as well as a 9 Hole and 10 Hole Patterns.
As you can see in the diagram above, the 1959 hole patterns progressed as the year went on.
• It started off with the typical 1957 8 Hole Pattern
• Then they repositioned the 2 holes on either side of the Middle Pickup, moving them upwards on both sides
• Then the holes remain in the same positions but they simply started adding additional holes for the 9 and 10 Hole Patterns
• The 9 Hole adds a screw to the left of the Bridge Pickup
• The 10 Hole adds a screw to the far right of the Middle Pickup
The first 11 Hole Pattern was also used at the end of 1959, but it's more commonly referred to as the 1962 Style (as seen below)
The first 11 Hole Pattern was also used at the end of 1959, but it's more commonly referred to as the 1962 Style (as seen below)
Now we move on to the 1962 and 1964 Patterns.
(See diagram below)
Both feature 11 holes with one small change. The 1962 has a screw placed almost directly between the left side of the neck and middle pickups, and the 1964 pattern simply moves that hole downwards by about half an inch.
This transition took place in mid-late 1963 but we refer to them as '62 and '64 patterns in order to avoid confusion.
We currently have offerings of the '62 and '64 pickguards in Vintage Correct colors - Mint, Parchment and Celluloid Tortoise Shell, with more to come in 2026!
Here are some examples of different hole patterns with completed pickguards:
1959 ('57 - 8 Hole Pattern)
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1959 (10 Hole Pattern)
Notice it does not have an 11th hole to the bottom right side of the selector switch
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1962 (11 Hole Pattern)
Harder to notice the holes on a Tort Guard, but all 11 holes are present and the '62 style is noticable by the position of the hole between the neck and middle pickups (left side)
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1964 (11 Hole Pattern)
Now the hole between the neck and middle pickups (left side) has been moved down by about half an inch and sits much closer to the middle pickup.
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1962 LEFTY
Honorable Mention.. We also offer the '62 & '64 Guards in Mint for Left Handed Players!
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All of our pickguards are made with USA specs (unless mentioned on the product page). The USA sizing will generally fit Mexican, Custom Shop and most Vintage Models as well, but in certain cases like the Jaguar, some reissue models and Pre-CBS sizings differ.
It should also be mentioned that Vintage Guitars were made by hand, meaning the alignment of the neck, body and bridge can vary slightly from one guitar to the next, and the pickguard was usually the last part to be installed. So even if the pickguards screw spacing is correct, the pickguard alignment itself may vary in any direction by 1-2mm. This is why most vintage Strat pickguards have different spacing round their bridges.
Keep this in mind when installing repro pickguards on any Vintage Guitar, you may need to slightly adjust the pickguard for an ideal fit. Most original pickguards are a tight fit anyways so this isn't often an issue visually, although if you do have some troubles here's some tips that may help:
1: Loosen or remove the neck and/or bridge, install the pickguard and re-tighten everything accordingly.
2: When installing the pickguard, sit all screws in the holes and turn just enough for the screw to start seating in the thread - then manually adjust the pickguard to its ideal position, hold it in place and begin tightening the screws.
Hopefully this article was helpful and cleared up any questions regarding Stratocaster pickguard patterns. Cheers to a great 2026! We're looking forward to bringing more quality products your way. Thank you for your continued support!