I was just in contact with Nick, at AxetremeCreations, regarding Fender, Leo and Screws... there are many different screws on a Strat. The backplate screws (in case you don't know) are identical to the pickguard screws. They are #4 1/2" screws. The pickguard, backplate, jack cup and also string tree (on the round early models) are all the same screw in fact (says Nick, who specializes in aged parts for your Strat). The neckplate screws are #8 X 1 3/4". All have an oval head. This is important... since it makes it very difficult for someone to go to a hardware store and find these suckers. All this info, by the way, is (for some reason) really hard to find... even online! Leo seemed to be keeping his screw sizes a secret for some reason says Nick (tongue in cheek I am sure). Most hardware stores do NOT carry the combination screws you would need for your Strat (or Tele). Most were nickle plated according to Nick, which are rare to find. It is also very difficult to find slot-head screws... the oval head is nearly impossible as well. Although there is nothing overly special about the screws he says, they are just an odd combination. Maybe David Gilmour (or Pink Floyd) wished he had known of Nick when his beloved Black Guitar was returned to him... missing volume knob, tone knob, pickup selector knob, tremelo arm and knob, and strap button (with sheared screw)... the guitar is mentioned in the new book (The Black Strat) as having been returned in poor shape from the Dallas Hardrock Cafe in 1997, after hanging at eye-level over a table in the restaurant... Nick has all these replacement parts available at his site, and more... to put that old Strat back in shape. Next... The Black Strat Book!
