Abstract: An improved electric guitar and pickguard assembly are provided. The pickguard assembly includes a traditionally shaped deck plate for mounting to the body of an electric guitar. The deck plate is constructed at least partially, or entirely, of a multi-layered printed circuit board for providing electrical pathways for communicating power and signals between electrical components mounted to the deck plate. Preferably, the deck plate's printed circuit board includes an integrated wireless transmitter and an integrated synthesizer which eliminates the need for a phantom pickup.