OK. Thanks for all the useful tips ( Especially Simon and McCreed who always have a useful experience to share). . I rewired today - in an attempt to be tidy on first wiring job I had used short wires which were breaking / not having play in them when I put the harness into the cavity. Lesson learned there. In the end I was able to clean up job quite quickly even leaving pots in place on pickguard while I did it - and in the end I reduced number of ground solder points by twisting wires together (and encasing group in heatshrink tube wrap). Worked a treat. I did pull the earth wire from jack plug when refitting but was able to fix in a few seconds.
Liking the treble bleed I added to tee volume pots - they seem to be working.
IT IS FINALLY DONE. Back to the starcaster job now.