To check the pickguard pattern and locate the blade switch, I made a test guard out of a self-adhesive linoleum square. I left the backing on it and screwed it to the pattern using two of the existing screw holes from the original pattern(s). I cut the excess off the linoleum with sheet metal shears, drilled an access hole in the pickup opening then cut it out with the router table.
I was undecided whether to put the switch parallel to the centerline of the body or at an angle. I decided to it at an angle first. After some fiddling and fitting, the angle was about 28 degrees off from centerline alignment.
With the neck on the body again, I mounted the pickguard with the center hole that held the body pattern on. I sat down and held the guitar the way I would if I was going to play it. The angle of the switch was perfect. That’s the way the switch will be the finished pickguard.
Next I laid the guitar on the bench and set the bridge on where it will go. With minor fitting, the pickguard will be good.
I checked the neck/saddle alignment (using the original pattern location of the outside mounting holes) and both sides lined up with the exact center of the outside height adjustment screws. I also ran the straight edge from the center of the nut to the center saddle screw and it went right down the center of the neck spots. The holes from the original pattern proved to be in the right place.
For the photos, I put the control plate pattern in place. This thing is going to be an outstanding guitar.