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Have you all seen the temporary clear pickguards that some dealers stick on their stock guitars to protect them from the picks of overzealous buyers? I'd like to find some of this material but didn't locate any at StewMac. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Eric

Gerald Sheppard wrote an artile in an old ASIA journal about that, maybe he'll pop in here and let us know where he gets that material.

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Here is the only source I could find but I'm sure there are more.John How38433.564837963

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

I use transparency film to make a headstock cover to prevent scratching when changing strings etc.
It doesn't have static cling but the strings and truss rod cover hold it in place. Use a hole punch to clear the tuner posts.
Wonder if the static cling material will cause any damage to the finish over time?
Thanks
Nelson

If you are using the static cling material over nitrocellulose lacquer, it will damage the finish over time. I have run into a lot of guitars over the years that were damaged by vinyl straps stored in the case with the guitar. The plasticizers that keep vinyl pliable soften nitro too. Most poly finishes would not be affected. I don’t know about water-based lacquer, but my guess is that it would be affected. A number of years ago, there was a company that sold plastic shells that fit onto the back of a Strat to protect it from scratches. The only problem was that the foam that held the shell onto the guitar softened nitro. It protected the back from scratches, but it ruined the finish wherever the foam touched. If you are trying to protect your guitar from scratches while you work on it, I would use cardboard or mylar.

Neil
Any idea what the material for overhead transparencies is made from? I'm hoping you'll say mylar.
Nelson

You can purchase at guitarjigs.com

I don't think the ones from guitarjigs are static cling. Are they?

Josh

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
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Nah, those are self-adhesive sheets for permanent transparent pickguards. At least, I hope they are, 'cause I've ordered a few, and that's what I'm expecting ;-)

Mattia

I've ordered them from Mark before and that is exactly what you are getting. Permanent transparent guards. Just didn't know if he had possibly started carrying the static cling ones. I don't think he has.

joshJosh H38434.6992708333

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

Thanks for the responses. The 12th Fret website doesn't give much info on the Guitar Guard, but that's the kind of thing I want. An Internet search didn't turn up anything useful. I did find temporary, clear pickguards available at Guitar Gallery http://www.guitargal.com/acc.html. Maybe I'll check with them.

But the possibility of such a cling-on thing damaging the finish concerns me. I've thought of using some of this material on my Collings guitars on the side right below the neck heel since I seem to scratch and smudge this area. According to Collings..."Collings guitars are finished with multiple coats of high-grade lacquer"...should I risk it?

Eric

maybe shoot an email to Frank Ford.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Nelson, I'm not sure if overhead transparencies are mylar or not. It's been a long time since I've used them.

Eric, I wouldn't use any "static cling" type guards on your Collings. For a definitive answer e-mail Collings. If you want a good thin pickguard try the self-adhesive mylar sheets sold by Stew Mac. They are almost invisible once mounted and they protect the top very well.

You can by the static cling pickguards at this site.   Guitar Bra
However, first read the fine print at the bottom of the page.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Hi folks,

I was able to buy the static cling film and a sign shop. One of those that make quick inexpensive signs. I got it pretty cheap. They just sliced me some off of a long wide roll. As I stated in the ASIA Quarterly, it will damage any finish that is damaged by vinyl if you leave it on for very long. It's probably fine to roll onto the guitar to allow a flatpicker to try out your guitar but you need to remove it each time. They are reusable until they get dirty.

Is there a specific name for this product?

One of the companies that sell the "static cling" plastic was setup at the Cincinnati Guitar Show this past weekend. They call their product a "GuitarBra." I talked to them about how the plastic affects finishes. I was told that it is safe on nitro but it has affected some watebase finishes. Here's their website: http://www.luxlogs.com/. Use caution if you buy. Test it first on whatever finish you plan to use it on.