Can a pick guard be removed?

[ZackisCountry]

Hey everyone. I bought a Mcpherson with an after market pick guard on it put on by Randy Wood. It looks like it was put on very well, but i would like to remove it, if its possible. I find it more annoying than anything. Does anyone know?

Thanks!

[RussMason]

I have removed a lot of pickguards in my time, and the easiest way is to use a gun-style hairdryer.

Start slowly, moved it all around the pickguard, from a fair distance - at least 6 inches. The pickguard will begin to heat up and the glue underneath will begin to soften.

Then move in a bit closer, so the pickguard becomes very warm. Then, aim toward the top of the pickguard and see if you can lift the top off a little, but do not force it.

Eventually, you will be able to peel the pickguard off, from the top down. Use the dryer on the underside of the part you have exposed. That will hasten things. But do not stop hitting the lower portion of the pickguard. Keep the dryer moving.

It will eventually all just peel off and then curl up when it's removed.

.................

Do not try this with a Taylor pickguard. I have heard horror stories of people who have tried to remove one and ended up damaging the finish underneath.

But if it is, as you say, an after-market pickguard, then you should have no problems at all.

Good luck!

[RP]

A little dental floss can help the process...

[ZackisCountry]

Those are some creative techniques guys, thanks! I was actually thinking about just taking it down to Randy to get him to remove it. I dont want to take a show at hurting it

[min7b5]

Have done it many times with a hairdryer

[taylor96]

Originally Posted by RussMason

I have removed a lot of pickguards in my time, and the easiest way is to use a gun-style hairdryer.

Start slowly, moved it all around the pickguard, from a fair distance - at least 6 inches. The pickguard will begin to heat up and the glue underneath will begin to soften.

Then move in a bit closer, so the pickguard becomes very warm. Then, aim toward the top of the pickguard and see if you can lift the top off a little, but do not force it.

Eventually, you will be able to peel the pickguard off, from the top down. Use the dryer on the underside of the part you have exposed. That will hasten things. But do not stop hitting the lower portion of the pickguard. Keep the dryer moving.

It will eventually all just peel off and then curl up when it's removed.

.................

Do not try this with a Taylor pickguard. I have heard horror stories of people who have tried to remove one and ended up damaging the finish underneath.

But if it is, as you say, an after-market pickguard, then you should have no problems at all.

Good luck!

I have removed several over the past year or so using your described method with NO problems.. and JFYI.. I just last week removed an original Taylor pickguard from my 1996 Taylor 510... Problems NON.. same as all the others.. just take it easy...

[LiveMusic]

Go to Gibson acoustic guitar forum and read about using dental floss.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by ZackisCountry

Hey everyone. I bought a Mcpherson with an after market pick guard on it put on by Randy Wood. It looks like it was put on very well, but i would like to remove it, if its possible. I find it more annoying than anything. Does anyone know?

Thanks!

Randy if first rate. If you have any doubts, let him do it.

[Jeremy]

You'll find naptha or goo gone to be helpful in removing any residual adhesive after the pickguard is removed.

[TimberlineGuy]

What does a McPherson with an aftermarket pickguard look like anyway?