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Are the holes too obvious if I take the.pickguard off?

M

mceo

New member
Joined
Feb 20, 2015
Messages
1
Hi all,

I have been thinking of either change the pickup guard to a black one or just take it off.

Any tips if the holes are too obvious, any fix to that? Specially the one by the bridge humbucker.
 
E

elephantman

New member
Joined
Jan 5, 2007
Messages
40
As a quickie fix you can get some wood putty of the right (or close) color and put a little in the hole. You could even brush or spray a little NC lacquer on it, but watch out. You don't want to turn a little tiny screw hole into a quarter (or bigger) size blemish. I'd start with the putty. It won't be invisible, but I'd settle for not very noticeable. Depending on how it's mounted, you may have a ding in the top if the screw in the middle of the guard contacted the body. Usually not, but it's a possibility.
 
J

johnnymustang5

New member
Joined
Feb 5, 2015
Messages
13
mceo said:
Hi all,

I have been thinking of either change the pickup guard to a black one or just take it off.

Any tips if the holes are too obvious, any fix to that? Specially the one by the bridge humbucker.
Click to expand...

Are you referring to the pick guard or the pickup trim? I'm assuming you mean the pick guard.
It depends on how much the visual aspect of the guitar means to you. There is no way, without being an expert craftsman, to make it look like there was never a hole in the guitar. Matching the color and top coat evenly would be difficult as well. There are just to many techniques for the average joe to take on that sort of repair. You can just put the screw back into the guitar for a rustic look. Or change it to the black one as described in your post. If you truly want to cover the hole then get a wooden matchstick and cut it slightly less than the length of the screw (minus the screw head length). Push the match stick in the screw hole and the hole is filled. Now matching the color can be hard. If it is a black guitar then paint or take a black magic marker to the top to the match stick (before putting the match stick in the hole) and you're somewhat there. However it will not be perfect like a guitar without a hole in the first place. And it will still be noticeable.

Or take it to someone who refinishes guitars and pay them for a professional look.
 
DanD

DanD

Active member
Joined
Apr 8, 2007
Messages
2,368
Most folks just leave the screw hole be. It's not all that noticeable from more than a few feet. You'll have one on the edge by the binding too. Not really a big deal. :peace2
 
Jeff West

Jeff West

Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2002
Messages
877
Fwiw, I remember Jim Thackery had a blonde L6S he used for slide, he removed the pick guard but put the screws back in the holes, looked good I thought.
 
shred

shred

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 13, 2003
Messages
4,667
The holes are cool, natural and iconic... To my eyes it actually looks weird without the holes... Good luck :salude
 
Minneapolis Slim

Minneapolis Slim

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Joined
Oct 21, 2001
Messages
2,177
Jeff West said:
Fwiw, I remember Jim Thackery had a blonde L6S he used for slide, he removed the pick guard but put the screws back in the holes, looked good I thought.
Click to expand...

That's what I do. Who cares about the looks, I don't want to lose those screws! :##
 
F

fastdave

New member
Joined
Dec 15, 2015
Messages
21
Go to Stuart Mackintosh's site mate. He's an amazing luthier with incredible hints and tips - he also does free video how tos' on u tube - he's good for gear and if you take your instrument to him - I think you may refute the 'It'll never be the same again' argument.
I had a Squire strat come off the wall and hit my brand new LPS in its stand - I removed two deep gouges and proved his methods.
Dave.
 
Kris Ford

Kris Ford

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Joined
Jan 6, 2007
Messages
4,003
Minneapolis Slim said:
That's what I do. Who cares about the looks, I don't want to lose those screws! :##
Click to expand...

Me too!
KIMG0220.jpg

Screw back in, and done!:yah
The bottom hole doesn't bother me one bit..
 
Elmore

Elmore

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 10, 2003
Messages
1,856
Don't worry about the pick guard screw holes. Just take the guard off if you want. I went through the same thing. Only us guitar geeks will even notice.
 
Jabba-burst

Jabba-burst

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Joined
Dec 13, 2003
Messages
808
No screw holes on a 2015, with the pickguard on or off; it's screwless.

sorry, I couldn't resist...
 
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