Caution if Replacing the Pick Guard on a new D-55

[cjd-player]

I purchased a new D-55 and it came with a typical tortoise shell pick guard. I had anticipated changing it, so I got a black one from my dealer when I got the guitar. I used the hair dryer method for removing the guard. I’ve used that in the past on other guitars with no problems. The guard started to lift very easily, but this time, the pick guard separated from the adhesive, and almost all of the adhesive stayed stuck to the guitar top. That was not a problem. I used my fingers to roll and ball up the adhesive (really sticky stuff, by the way), then some Goo-Gone to remove the balance from the guitar top.

In retrospect, I may not have heated the pick guard enough to undo the adhesive from the top. But I figured the less heat the better, as long as it was coming off easily.

I had considered leaving the guitar without a pick guard, but to my surprise, there was less lacquer under the pick guard with a definite ridge in the finish where the pick guard had been. Apparently, Guild masked off the pick guard area after some of the finish had been applied to the guitar, and then finished over the mask with the final coats. So if you want to go with no pick guard, you can’t; unless you want the outline in the finish showing.

The new black guard went on fine with no issues. I just wanted to alert folks that you can’t go “naked” :wink: if that is your preference.

 

[6L6]

I had a black pickguard pro-installed on my own '06 D-55. Came out great.

Sure is a better look IMO.

6

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

I love the tortoise pickguard on MY D55, but I hated the clear one on My GAD50, and I needed one for My Taylor 855ce, so I bought two pickguards from Taylor and installed as pictured below.

 

[dklsplace]

Oooh! Goo Gone is citrus based isn't it? Not a good thing with lacquer. Hope you cleaned it up good with Naptha.