Tech Tip: How to Change a Pickguard on Acoustic Guitar

[@joelmarr6590]

Anyone else always imagine pick guards as solid plastic that didn't bend like this?

[@UnknownUnknown-qv7yf]

Joel Marr yes 😂

[@techforever1970]

Joel Marr I always thought pick guards were imbedded into the wood itself, not glued on top 😂

[@Uber_Versace]

I learned the hard way that they come off To make a long story short I had a phone mount on my pick guard so I could run my guitar through effects and tune it and over time the weight of the phone ripped it off while I was playing it So just imagine a blonde 17 year old guy playing rock lobster then their phone crashes onto the ground and the you hear a pissy father in the background saying "what the hell was that"

[@captainharloq8054]

@@Uber_Versace loll😂😂 I ripped my pickguard because of curiosity and for fun😂😂

[@byEVxL]

Mine fell off

[@tallybann3782]

Thank you, Ben .. Following, your detailed instructional, I managed to change and stick on a new pickguard satisfactorily .. God Bless. .. Stay Safe. 🙂👍🏻

[@1tonofclay]

I like the trim of that guitar so much

[@Majnun74]

Just ordered a white Pickguard for my Epiphone J-200! Going to follow the instructions in this video👌

[@Acidtwiztid]

Well done. Very thorough tutorial. I'm going to replace mine but I'm going to cut and keep part of the tape on the bottom to hold my pick. I'm not a fan of putting on the head and I Inbetween strings.

[@TMoody]

THANKS for showing and mentioning checking the new pickguard BEFORE removing the old one.

[@Phodis]

Just removed a pickguard off a new guitar... All I did was fold a piece of A4 paper in half and wedge it underneath... done in no time... then removed the gunk. No way would I let a hair dryer anywhere near my guitar.... this way there was no heating/stressing etc etc as simple as can be :)

[@deejay.s]

Exactly, that direct heat can't be good... I, too just removed a pickguard off my new guitar. All I used was naphta (lighter fuel). Works like a charm to remove the glue residue.

[@Phodis]

@@deejay.s ... Now the lighter fuel is a good idea LOL... I spent over an hr with soft sponges and palmolive detergent!!!... what a freaking mess!.. I will be sure to remember this for next time!. :)

[@chrispatrick5715]

Ive taken off using a sheet of paper, too

[@gutbucket260]

The moles on your wrist are in the shape of the Big Dipper constellation.

[@tomblobasjamesc.mccollum1740]

That pic guard did not look too bad when it came off, it looked very straight and it didn't look like it curled. Could it be reused on another guitar? Would it need some sort of adhesive backing, what would you recommend for that?

[@Trauzzinator]

What kind of oil is that? What brand?

[@petestaint8312]

Excellent video! Thanks for posting. 👍

[@OurBackwoodsHomestead]

I have a new satin finished Takamine guitar will a new self adhesive pickguard go on without using a cleaner on it? Good video!

[@Mikem-mq2hh]

great video...most important point....DON'T REMOVE THE ADHESIVE BACKING ALL THE WAY WHEN PUTTING ON THE NEW PICK GUARD.

[@Hunter_28-38]

why do u have to? i’m doing mine rn

[@tetutahiwilson7268]

​@@Hunter_28-38itll make it harder for you to get it straight

[@markrobinson891]

I’m pretty intimidated doing most anything on my beautiful Martin. I do want to change the pick guard from black to TS. removed some plastic letters off of the rear hatch on my car with thin fishing line. It slipped under the pieces and and pulled both ends slightly sawing back and forth. It made the job very easy. What do you think of that method? I’ll probably pay my local luthier anyway.

[@usamanasher3900]

I am really hoping people do this for guitars that wouldn't cost more than 150 to 200 max. I personally would never do it to a Martin myself. I'd take it to a professional, to be honest.

[@Chino-cz8he]

How do I take the pickguard off of a guitar with no finish just the wood

[@bloodybones63]

Mine ended up across the hole because we played a drinking game . We'd take a drink every time he said "umh". lol Good video, I'm going to do this.

[@chuchuchip]

How about using Goo Gone for the glue residue? It's made for that.

[@GuitarSlinger2112]

upvoting for the Banjo Ben Hot Pink signature hair dryer.

[@Jesse3736]

If you want to remove a pickguard off a brand new Taylor, is the finish underneath the pickguard ruined by the adhesives of the pickguard? I have a 327e and would maybe prefer to not have a pickguard at all.

[@bastipenaranda9895]

I love your guitar songs and im your new subscriber!

[@jkssr1885]

thanks going to try it.

[@trkish_Dlit3]

Thoughts on orange oil/windez to break down residue?

[@magregorswift5189]

Great help video thanks..👍

[@ricardbennett6487]

Thanks, man!!

[@tyroneshoelace4872]

Question on this; don't you still see the pencil marks when finished? That would make me crazy seeing that forever.

[@desmo5514]

Maybe you could put a piece of masking tape instead of pencil mark ?

[@mdhamilton]

You are amazing! Great job! I have subscribed. Can’t wait to see more of your vids. Thanx

[@nmmer879]

Is the lemon oil the same as the oil you use on your fretboard?

[@sherissaelise]

Yes

[@IvanDeTJ]

Very helpful! Thanks!!

[@thebruce1978]

Thanks for this Bill, I'm on mine now.

[@BanjoBen]

If I see Bill, I'll tell him! Good luck!

[@thebruce1978]

I got guard off no problem. As stated, very pernicity getting the gum off, but I used beard oil which seemed to work ok? Just waiting on my new white pearl guard coming to set of my blue acoustic. I'll incorporate a white pearl trus cover to.

[@groberti]

@@thebruce1978 I think any oil can work if it does not hurt the guitar's finish

[@kevinmillardclassicrocksol529]

why didn't you namer what you sprayed on to remove glue ????

[@iggypop1011]

How many time did You spent with the hair dryer ?

[@Xxmeca421xX]

I changed mine using a heat gun on low and removed the glue with rubbing alcohol. I tried "goo gone" and it helped but alcohol works fine with a credit card. Gotta go there's a deer walking towards me at 11pm while I'm on my porch.. I live in the City lol

[@BojanTomicMusicChannel]

I have removed the pickguard from my acoustic guitar without using a hair dryer. Maybe some pickguards are more difficult to remove with just a chisel, scalpel or similar tools, but mine came off without any problems. I carefully lifted the edge with a scalpel and then used a flathead screwdriver to help peel it off. It literally took me 30 seconds. Maybe this helps someone!

[@HDA_III]

How much for the hairdryer?

[@BanjoBen]

hahaha

[@Spawny500]

Beginner here. There was a sticker over the hole in the guitar. Am I supposed to remove that?

[@BanjoBen]

Yep

[@chrishmmm2202]

Great video- I followed your method and it was an easy job. Though, I did get a few blisters rubbing the glue off 😆

[@choo1030]

Isn't it better to somehow close the hole before using hair dryer? Like with tape idk.

[@superfuzzbigmuff8262]

I have a guitar, open pores, can i do this? Guitar is Cort AD810

[@StubertStudios]

I think guitars look so much better without pick guards, i wish manufactures offered the choice as standard

[@ezzyel6898]

Thank u so much

[@jacquelinebell2949]

thank you

[@yonitznkc]

Nice! Less than 40-min., I s’pose? I love making my own wooden pickguards, so I’m fixin’ on doing this to my current project. Thank-you, Ben.

[@fuchsia5899]

Would a regular size pickguard fit on my 3/4 size acoustic

[@groberti]

Is the soundhole smaller as well on those or is it just the body?

[@fuchsia5899]

Grobee I think the sound holes are the same, I only own a 3/4

[@groberti]

@@fuchsia5899 I think it should be fine then

[@smolchungus9213]

@@groberti hey umm I have an oval-ish sound hole I don't know the term for it and this might sound stupid but how do i measure it so I know the perfect fit when I buy a pickguard

[@zayangaming5323]

Good instruments all about looks it doesn't matter what it sounds like 💀

[@friedhelmp.9217]

I think, it's better, to turn away the strings, before I'd remove the old guard.

[@hernandez4071]

thank you great video l

[@bastipenaranda9895]

Hello ben? I have a little problem, please help me, i have a silver pick trial on your site, will it be auto recharge? Please help ben i dont have enough money to pay that im sorry....

[@BanjoBen]

First, a silver pick membership is a free membership-there is no charge. Second, if you have questions, please email at [e-mail] ...thanks!

[@bastipenaranda9895]

Thanks i really appreciate it man i love your vids! And i learn a song from your teaching!..

[@noelgandy7008]

The new pickguard is out of line with the rosette bad refit

[@nocaster51]

That heat, just like sitting by a campfire, can bump your top and ruin your guitar. I wouldn't do it.

[@Akhirahhh]

Thx man! :D

[@benperea8483]

Fantastic video! Very informative! Very talented! You make it look easy but......can you do "Yo Yo" tricks ??? Lol Thank you for sharing.

[@deathslayer1075]

O balle

[@grahamhay44]

Brilliant vid, thanks

[@lisavento7474]

brand new Taylor peeled off easily BUT LEFT a "tan line"! surprised but hey, I'm going to sand it and do pyrography image before a nice finish so who cares but still, NEW guitars shouldn't have a tan line.

[@dominikschaffer]

what about nitro lacquered guitars ??

[@ronaldwilliams2162]

The guard looks slightly warped...🤔

[@platypaty5007]

If just removing mine cause do finger style and never needed it 😅

[@Pluto-jj6vr]

Looks?

[@flylippfantom8425]

I have taken off a few. A plastic credit card works well to scrape it. Never use a razor blade Decals on cars come of the paint the same way. Again never a razor blade. A razor blade is ok on glass

[@jordanfeuring9810]

Windex also works great for removing glue.

[@aidanr444]

Don't listen to random suggestions about glue-removing solvents. Your guitar may have a finish which will be damaged by alcohol-based liquids.

[@BryanClark-gk6ie]

Heat the adhesive back up and stick masking tape to it' pull up and it's removed. This is the method I've used to remove adhesive left behind from decals and emblems in the body shop and have used it on several guitars also. Like he said' some solvents can harm the finish.

[@tfdharley1360]

No disrespect intended, but I replaced a pickguard on my guitar because I was appalled at the disregard to the beautiful rosette being covered up and the sloppy alignment. If you are going to spend that much time doing the work, make it perfect by trimming it to the proper radius and pay tribute to the artwork of the inlays.

[@lpjbird]

Really, if it don't align perfectly with the rosette lines you've wasted your time. Something like that would drive a person crazy!!!

[@berrytunes]

Advance to 5 minutes into the video to when he actually starts.

[@aidanr444]

"Prably ain't a whole latta people irnin' thar clothes these days" Hee haw How many guitar nerds have a hair dryer though?

[@stevechance4422]

It's crooked 😌😰👻

[@Believer1427]

Believe in Jesus Christ and be saved from hell before it’s eternally too late if you haven’t already.

[@Believer1427]

@Jeepers Creepers it was a pleasure. May God bless you

[@Bazo_watches]

The ancient pickguard was better fitted

[@metalguyn]

It is crooked as hell! doesn't match the radius.

[@deanmashburn6829]

I have never heard anyone say a guitar is more about looks than sound I don't know where you got that from but you are so wrong

[@jennyomalley7634]

It's not stright

[@พรพิพัฒน์พิมพา-ฆ3น]

พูดอะไรวะฟังไม่รู้เรื่อง

[@sypex_gg]

what do you mean a good instrument only needs good looks, who gives a rats ass what it sounds like! BS! SOUND QUALITY MATTERS THE MOST!

[@BanjoBen]

I honestly do not know what you're talking about, haha.

[@finjo9673]

It was a joke dude. He was being sarcastic.

[@darkchoco6807]

I'm just here to know the purpose of this pickguard

[@dereckrandell2458]

I think the clue is in the name, Pickguard, or are you just playing with me.

[@darkchoco6807]

@@dereckrandell2458 nope, total beginner here. I had no idea what's the use of it. And, yes. Pick guard. Pick. Guard. It is in the name but I just.. Really didn't knew what to guard. I just knew it was to protect the finishing on the guitar.

[@dereckrandell2458]

@@darkchoco6807 You've answerd your own question there, bravo😁

[@mt-nv4jd]

@@darkchoco6807 The tortoise type pickguard, being essentially the same material as the pick, extends the life of the pick, saving you potentially thousands of dollars in pick replacement costs.

[@darkchoco6807]

@@mt-nv4jd oohhhh okmokk

[@francisdescoteaux7454]

This guy really said sound doesn’t matter🤣🤡

[@James-nf9pd]

It was a joke 😐