Anyone know how to remove a pick guard?

VickRamono · #1 12-03-2009, 03:08 PM

Hey everyone,

So anyone know if it is possible to remove the pick guard at home?
Would it look good or ruin the guitar?
I play fingerstyle and I dont use it.

Thanks!

fatt-dad · #2 12-03-2009, 03:10 PM

something about a hair dryer and a piece of fishing line to work up the guard when the glue softens. Clean up with lighter fluid (not kidding). I removed the pickguard from my Martin 000-15S.

f-d

rbbambino · #3 12-03-2009, 03:20 PM

As mentioned by fat-dad.. hair dryer.. works.. I never thought of the fishing line, but that makes sense. You need to be careful that you don't apply so much heat that is affects the glue on braces braces.. Also, if the guitar is older and the top has aged (yellowed) then you will have an outline of the pickguard. I've removed them when the guitar was new.

min7b5 · #4 12-03-2009, 03:23 PM

I've did the hair dryer thing four times on my old D18GE (when is Martin going to get the messege on their fugly pixelguards?) very easy

Misty44 · #5 12-03-2009, 03:56 PM

Be careful with the hairdryer...too much heat can damage finishes.

It doesn't take too much to get the point end of the guard started, and then either a gentle pull, or pull with dental floss and/or a bit of heat should do the trick.

The naphtha in Ronsonol lighter fluid will safely remove the residue (and is a great gentle general cleaner to boot).

And as noted, beware the tan line on older, aged tops:

phammo · #6 12-03-2009, 04:20 PM

I've done it twice with no hairdryer, once on a gloss finish and once on satin nitrocellulose. It's very difficult to get the glue residue off without heat or a solvent. I was nervous of using naphtha on the satin finish so I used Goo Gone, which worked very well. Let it soak in and you can sort of roll the glue off a bit at a time.
There can be a faint tan line even on a new guitar, but the lighter area should darken to match.

wcap · #7 12-03-2009, 04:32 PM

Wow, seems to not be worth the risk to me. I wouldn't want to take a hairdryer to a several thousand dollar guitar, personally, unless it was necessary for a needed repair.

vic40204 · #8 12-03-2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wcap

Wow, seems to not be worth the risk to me. I wouldn't want to take a hairdryer to a several thousand dollar guitar, personally, unless it was necessary for a needed repair.

My sentiments exactly. I would leave it alone.

Goofball Jones · #9 12-03-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by min7b5

I've did the hair dryer thing four times on my old D18GE (when is Martin going to get the messege on their fugly pixelguards?) very easy

You seem to imply that you've done it 4 times to the same guitar. I can see removing it 1 time...but did you like re-apply it and then remove it again?

doctor_gogol · #10 12-03-2009, 05:49 PM

Thats a great question. I got a GREAT deal on my AJ last winter, but it was parched when I bought it. It took several months to get it right. No cracks, but this guitar was thirsty. One lasting problem is a slightly bubbled pick guard. I'd love to take mine off, but then glue it back on properly. It doesn't effect play, so I haven't bothered.

Any advice on that?

min7b5 · #11 12-03-2009, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goofball Jones

You seem to imply that you've done it 4 times to the same guitar. I can see removing it 1 time...but did you like re-apply it and then remove it again?

Yup, I tried a few different looks before settling on a Deep River pickguard

VickRamono · #12 12-05-2009, 02:11 PM

Thanks for all the help everyone. I'm still thinking about if I should do it or not. Anyone have any other methods? By the way I have a satin finish on my guitar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vic40204

My sentiments exactly. I would leave it alone.

Yea thats a good question. Any advice?
(bump)

roberts · #13 12-05-2009, 06:17 PM

Bryan Galloup's website has a nice pictorial step-by-step description of how he replaces a pickguard, including removal of the old one. Just click on his "Notebook". Good luck.

StringFive · #14 12-05-2009, 07:27 PM

I used the hair dryer method on a satin finish D15. No problem. And the satin finish I think is less risky. Anyway, the original D15 pick guard was just so ugly I felt it was worth it. I replaced it with a Greven, and it looks great now. It improved the appearance of the guitar quite a bit for not much $.

Don't be afraid. It was easy. Just heat and lift carefully.

When putting on the replacement use a piece of masking tape to lightly anchor one end before removing the adhesive backing. (I used the "tip"). This will allow you to carefully put the pick guard in place. Be sure it's right the first time.

VickRamono · #15 12-07-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StringFive

I used the hair dryer method on a satin finish D15. No problem. And the satin finish I think is less risky. Anyway, the original D15 pick guard was just so ugly I felt it was worth it. I replaced it with a Greven, and it looks great now. It improved the appearance of the guitar quite a bit for not much $.

Don't be afraid. It was easy. Just heat and lift carefully.

When putting on the replacement use a piece of masking tape to lightly anchor one end before removing the adhesive backing. (I used the "tip"). This will allow you to carefully put the pick guard in place. Be sure it's right the first time.

You also used the lighter fluid to remove excess glue? Or did youuse something else?

Thanks!