vintage pick guard removal

[dadmire]

I recently picked up a '79 Yamaha FG331.

Cosmetically it's in good shape with a couple of tiny dings in the top and some very minor scuffing on the back. But otherwise looks really good.

The neck however has issues. When a straight edge is laid on the frets, it hits maybe 1/8" below the top of the bridge, so I know it's a matter of time before it will need some work done. Intonation is almost spot on up to the 12th fret, so it will do what I need it to do, hopefully for several more years. I paid barely more than a C note for it, so the neck doesn't bother me.

I really like the look of smaller bodied guitars (like the FG331) without pick guards.

I know that the final decision is entirely up to me, but does anyone have any experience with removing pick guards from vintage guitars? Will there be a color difference between the surface that's been covered for decades? Anything that I should especially watch out for??

Since the value of this old guitar isn't that much, I'm not too worried about altering the original condition, or how it might affect value.

Suggestions are welcome!

Thanks

[Dirty Bill]

The color will be different.


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[dadmire]

Wow......will the color ever equalize?

That might be a reason to learn to love the pickguard look.

[Dirty Bill]

In maybe 40 years...but the other color will too,so....No. I'm in the process of installing a new pick guard.

[pszy22]

I also bought a '79 FG331 about 9 months ago. I think you'll be happy with it.

[broken thumb]

Yes the color will be different. How much? Depends on how much the rest of the top has darkened. I pulled a bubbled pick guard off a guitar I was refurbishing one time, and before I pulled the pick guard, I'd thought the top rather light colored. Under the pick guard, though, it was nearly white. New pick guard went right on that top, thankfully covering all the white.