do pickguard "tan lines" diminish with age?
 

Hi,
I just replaced a pickguard , with a smaller pickguard
and there is considerable white shadow where the old
pickguard was... I am assuming as the exposed wood darkens
it should even out and eventually match the wood around it.
Its a cosmetic issue, and no major deal, but i was wondering
if anyone here has had experience with the issue.
thanks,
Rick

Hi Rick,
How long had the old pick guard been in place? My experience is that the denuded spot never quite catches up with the patina of the rest of the top. My 00018 wore a pick guard for 3 years. Has been naked for 7 years. Still shows. Probably the newer no smoking laws in bars I've played have lengthened the tanning process.

I hope your mileage varies. I don't really mind the tan line.

Rick, if it really bothers you, you can take some stiff poster board and make a template/mask in the shape of the top, leaving a cut out area the size and shape of the original pickguard. Then keep the guitar on a stand out in a room where it won't be hit by direct sunlight, and whenever the guitar isn't in use leave that poster board mask in place. Eventually the lighter area where the pickguard used to be will catch up to the same shade as the rest of the top.

It'll take a while, though, months at the very least.

Sorry there isn't any fast and easy remedy I can recommend.


whm

I got sick and left my knockaround guitar out in the car during a 107* day. The pickguard shrank at least 1/4" all the way around the edge, so I pulled it off, and of course here was this darker spot where it wasn't as sunshadowed. I've never replaced the pickguard, as I quit flatpickin'.

It evened out pretty quick, but it's some puke red finish, and it was a $130 guitar anyway.