Replacing pickup - mounting screw question

[goroth]

Ok. The pickguard I have is drilled for 3.25 inches between the mounting holes on the pickup, but the pickup I'm thinking of buying and installing has mounting holes placed at 3.0 inches apart. Each screw is going to be out by an eigth of an inch (3 mm) on either side. Obviously the difference is so little I can't drill new holes.
Is it going to work anyway and just have the screws on a slight angle, or will I have to make a new pickguard with the right spacing for the pickup mounting screws?
I can't just test it as I currently don't own the pickup I'm thinking of installing.

[Mike]

Since these are pretty small holes, you could consider using epoxy. It probably wouldn't be color matched, but it might look okay with clear epoxy. I bet a good portion of the hole would be covered by the screw head anyway.

I would place a piece of painters tape over the top surface of the holes you wish to fill, and pour a small amount of epoxy in from the back. Once the epoxy cures and you remove the tape, you should be left with a fairly smooth surface.

Drill new holes and install the pickup.

Mike

[goroth]

Thanks Mike - sounds reasonable to me! Unless anyone has a more brilliant idea I'll get shopping and get epoxying
- will have to wait until after Christmas though. Damn.

[Tristan]

Make a larger hole and use screws with a bigger head?
Might look pretty cool actually...

[KaosCill8r]

Not sure if you want to go this far, but screw the pickup to the inside cavity body wood with wood screws. Not too longer screws though, you don't want the screw points poking out the back of your guitar. Put a layer of high density foam underneath the pickup to act as a spring. Then drill larger holes in the pick guard to access the screws for height adjustment. You get a lot more sustain and the pickups are mounted very securely. I have done this to one of my guitars and planning to do it to the rest when I can be bothered.