1982 Martin Pickguard Question?

[L20A]

I read a lot of reports of shrinking pick guard cracks on older Martin guitars.
Mine is a 1982 D-35.
Should I be concerned about this potential problem and replace the guard before it causes problems?

The guitar lives in Utah where it is very day. I keep my guitars in cases when not being used.
The cases are humidified.

[JonWint]

Is it shrinking? Can you see an outline of lighter wood around it?

Is the surface concave?

Post picture.

[Wade Hampton]

So far as I’m aware, the Martin guitars made in the 1980’s don’t have pickguard problems. That’s an issue with earlier instruments where the finishes were sprayed over the pickguards.


whm

[L20A]

I have been told that mine has the guard glued to the raw wood.
My Tech doesn't want to replace it until it shows signs of issues.
The removal can cause more problems and it may fix.

For now I don't see any issues but I read about a lot of other Martin's that do have the guard issue.

My thought is, do I wait for the problem to appear, or do I do a proactive replacement?

[Wade Hampton]

Wait for any problems to appear rather than spending money to “fix” developments that may never manifest themselves.


whm

[JayBee1404]

I’m with WHM - “If it ain’t bust, don’t fix it!”.

[rstaight]

I came across a Stew-Mac video a few years back concerning a cracked top on a Martin. The crack was the result of a shrinking pick guard increasing pressure on the top and pulled it apart creating the crack.

The material the pick guard was made of had a tendency to shrink over time.

[L20A]

My Martin is now over 40 years old and in great condition.
I want to keep it that way.
What I don't want to do is to wait for the problem to happen, if I can prevent it.

I keep a close eye on the pick guard and watch for signs that it is shrinking but I'm not sure that I will see it in time.

Yes, I am being a bit paranoid but I don't want to have issues that I could have prevented.

[pagedr]

Originally Posted by L20A

My Martin is now over 40 years old and in great condition.
I want to keep it that way.
What I don't want to do is to wait for the problem to happen, if I can prevent it.

I keep a close eye on the pick guard and watch for signs that it is shrinking but I'm not sure that I will see it in time.

Yes, I am being a bit paranoid but I don't want to have issues that I could have prevented.

You already said that your tech doesn't want to replace it. So either trust your tech, or take it to someone else for a second opinion. You clearly seem to be overly paranoid about this and dead set on getting the pickguard replaced, it seems like you just want someone to tell you to replace it.

[Jim Owen]

Wade nailed it in his first response—Martin stopped spraying finish over the guards before your guitar was made. Leave it be.

Edit: I stand corrected. I thought Martin had figured the spray out before then. John Arnold knows.

[John Arnold]

Not true. Martin only stopped doing under finish pickguards around 1985.
There should not be any complications when removing these guards.......if you know how to read runout in the top and proceed accordingly. Absent a clear reading of the grain, you should enter from the sides, pushing the spatula straight across the top.
The bare wood should be sealed before applying a self stick guard. I seal with wood glue or shellac. Black replacement guards are cut from 0.020" thick rigid vinyl and the edges are beveled, rounded, and polished. Install is with 3M 465 transfer adhesive (pressure sensitive adhesive).

[LAPlayer]

Under-finish guards were phased out in 1984 - after your guitar was manufactured. Consequently, it's likely under the finish. After all this time, unless something changes, it should be fine.

[L20A]

Thanks for all of your thoughts and suggestions.
I do worry about the guard due to so many of them causing issues for older Martin guitars.

Mine looks to be just fine with no signs of issues.
I just wonder it is only time before it happens.

I want to be pro active and not allow damage to my guitar, if I can help it.
For now, I will continue to keep an eye on the guard and watch for signs of shrinkage, and enjoy my guitar.