Starfire I DC pick guard issue (brand new guitar)

[KOE]

I don't know a lot about guitars.
I don't want to start trying anything until I know what is supposed to be "right"

I have a brand new guitar just out of the box and the pick guard is loose.
The top screw (nearest the strings) is tight.
The two screws in the side of the body seem tight, however there is a lot of up/down/side/side play in the bracket/arm and side body, causing the pick guard to just sort of be loose.
In the center of the pick guard, there lies another screw/nut combo - attaching the bracket/arm to the pick guard.
The business end of that center screw/nut is rapping against the body as the entire pick guard assembly lifts/flops up and down.
Obviously this isn't right!

So what is right?
It seems like tightening the side body screws are only going to make the center screw/nut dig in to the body more. (I pressed it down and that's what happens!)
Unless the bracket/arm is supposed to be bent/suspended above the body?
Is there supposed to be a rubber washer underneath the pick guard insulating the body from that screw/nut?
Any ideas what to do?
I bought the guitar online and t was a killer deal not to be beat. I don't want to have to return it. I can obviously tighten a screw or two but need to know what a correctly installed pick guard looks like before touching anything!

Next challenge will be doing a set up... but one thing at a time.

 

[matsickma]

What model? SF1SC, SF1Jet, SF2/3 have pickguard that I intentionally ride high and normally the little countersink bolt fastening the pickguard to the metal bracket has sufficient space to not touch the body. However some time the metal bracket gets bent down and you loose clearance between the bolt and body. The pickguard will always be a bit floppy especially if you compare it to a flat top acoustic guitar or solid body pickguard.

You should be able to bend the bracket up a bit to get clearance. Also you can add a felt washer to the bolt or the area on the body. Many people find the pickguard on this style guitar to inhibit playing and just remove it.

The semi hollow guitars like SF1SC, SF 4, 5 and 6 are thinner bodies and have pickguards located even closer to the body but they tend to be less floppy.

So a few adjustments, placement of felt or removing the pickguard will reduce or remove the risk of scratching the body or an annoying floppy pickguard. Sometimes the floppy pickguard can tap against the pickup bezel and get amplified. If your into strumming and adding percussion it may be a useful "flop" but most would find it annoying and adjust playing style or remove it.
M

 

[KOE]

Thanks for the reply Matsickma - the model was named in the title "Starfire 1 DC" - the shorthand is probably SF1DC.
I'll look for other comments but everything you say makes sense. Assuming it doesn't come with a felt or rubber pad or washer behind the screw/nut in the center of the guard I'll have to hunt for one if bending the bracket/arm isn't working or possible. It may end up being annoying like you mentioned - time will tell!

 

[matsickma]

Oops....just noticed the full title.
I can tell you even USA made SF4-6 can have the issue. On some models the pickguard is cut around the pickup bezel and on others they are shaped around the pickup metal cover. On those models the pickguard can "slap" the pickup bezel very easily and be annoying. Installing felt sticker usually does the trick.
M

 

[KOE]

Installing felt sticker usually does the trick.

Light bulb moment - I can drill pr cut a hole in a sticky back furniture leg felt pad and stick it to the underside of the pick guard surrounding/covering the nut. Thanks!

 

[chazmo]

If you're having trouble with a new guitar, you can exercise the warranty too, KOE.

Welcome aboard.

 

[SFIV1967]

On vintage pickguards there is a block of felt on the top screw only, I wonder if those new models have them. Probably the metal bracket is simply bent a bit too much down.



Ralf

 

[KOE]

So I drilled a center hole and added a sticky back felt furniture foot over the nut and it's now perfect!
Thanks again for the assist. Here's how it looks.
FWIW The screw on the narrow end has a vinyl spacer - almost like a little snippet of vinyl tubing.