These too must be replaced but unfortunately an exact material match is not usually available and we must use what's available. It begins with a crazed, shattered like appearance which advances to the point of disintegration. Thicker pickguards can also pose a problem, a common issue is celluloid decay which causes them to crumble. Though these are easy to cut with scissors, the crisp factory edge that's required for a professional looking pickguard requires cutting with a template or purchasing one directly from the factory or supplier.Ĭlear, removable pickguards are similar to the vinyl stickers that cling to glass.

Starting from the tip and working slowly towards the bottom, being careful to never touch the adhesive. I install these by floating them on a bed of water and using a squeegee to force out any bubbles before adhesion. The clear pickguard acts like a sticker and bubbles are sure to find their way between the material and the top if not applied correctly. While this can sound ridiculously easy, more experience is needed to apply these correctly than a traditional guard. Pickguard Types Clear Pickguardsįor those who don't prefer pickguards but are afraid of damaging the finish you may opt to install a clear pickguard. Clear pickguard material is much thinner than regular celluloid pickguard material and applies much like a sticker.

To correctly position the replacement, it also means that you are forced to replace the original guard with one similar or larger unless you want to see the shading. Once the pickguard is removed you will usually find a tan line, a change in colorĬaused by the woods U. Pickguards glued directly to the bare wood can cause top damage when they shrink.

Egmond acoustic guitar black pickguard