I can't do what the Captain does; that's probably why he is the Captain. I brush the top with my finger tips and those brushes show up in fine lines. The finish on a CF guitar, like the finish on most guitars, is not going to handle tapping and brushing without showing the effects. I know that there are players, like the Captain, who play so clean that they do not need a guard--I am not one of those players and need some guard. I could also use some oversight, but my wife generally takes care of that.