|
Post by dobro on Aug 1, 2016 13:49:58 GMT
Hi all! I just received a lovely Fylde Alexander from Roger Bucknall, and I love it! (pics and clips pending..), but here's the thing: I'm both a strummer and fingerpicker, and I have been thinking about putting a pickguard on it, to protect the cedar top. Two questions: Do you have any advice as to where to get such a scratchplate? (and is the soundhole a "Martin" fit?) And, do you think putting on a guard will take away from the sound of this lovely guitar? Thanks, John
|
|
Phil Taylor
C.O.G.
Posts: 4,408
Mini-Profile Name Color: 680908
Mini-Profile Text Color: 121311
|
Post by Phil Taylor on Aug 1, 2016 14:18:07 GMT
Hi all! I just received a lovlely Fylde Alexander from Roger Bucknall, and I love it! (pics and clips pending..), but here's the thing: I'm both a strummer and fingerpicker, and I have been thinking about putting a pickguard on it, to protect the cedar top. Two questions: Do you have any advice as to where to get such a scratchplate? (and is the soundhole a "Martin" fit?) And, do you think putting on a guard will take away from the sound of this lovely guitar? Thanks, John Congratulations, they are lovely guitars. I played Keith's custom recently and was very impressed with it. I don't think the difference in sound would be noticeable, certainly not to me anyway, but I'm not sure it would look right on a Fylde in my opinion. Have you considered a clear pickguard? I believe Lowden guitars use them a lot. Cheers Phil
|
|
|
Post by dobro on Aug 1, 2016 14:22:43 GMT
Thanks! A clear pickguard would be nice, but the problem is where to order one that fits the guitar. I live in Norway, and I have to order online.
|
|
missclarktree
C.O.G.
Posts: 2,423
My main instrument is: It varies
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"1979e6"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 100605
Mini-Profile Text Color: 020a12
|
Post by missclarktree on Aug 1, 2016 14:48:22 GMT
You can buy self-adhesive clear ones intended for flamenco guitar but I don't see why you couldn't use them for other styles. You can trim the material to the size and shape you want. Trouble is, I can't remember where I got mine. I'll let you know if I remember.
|
|
Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,881
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Aug 1, 2016 14:55:18 GMT
|
|
|
Post by dobro on Aug 1, 2016 15:06:01 GMT
Thanks for the suggestions. Yes, I might consider the reuseable type.Keep the suggestions coming
|
|
missclarktree
C.O.G.
Posts: 2,423
My main instrument is: It varies
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"1979e6"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 100605
Mini-Profile Text Color: 020a12
|
Post by missclarktree on Aug 1, 2016 15:10:45 GMT
I've found a source of the sticky type, but I also have one of the removable ones, which I bought to use until the guitar was a bit older, as I read somewhere that the guitar should be at least six months old before attaching the adhesive variety. The removable one seems to stick by static electricity. It has worked absolutely fine, completely protecting the guitar from fingernail tapping. www.fernandezmusic.com/Flamencotapplates.html
|
|
|
Post by dobro on Aug 1, 2016 15:29:21 GMT
Thanks for the suggestions! But I would probably prefer a permanent one, maybe in the Martin OM-style..(teardrop?)
|
|
|
Post by martinrowe on Aug 1, 2016 16:04:03 GMT
There was an interesting post by nkforster on here recently, he makes pick guards - that might help.
|
|
|
Post by dobro on Aug 1, 2016 16:56:22 GMT
Thanks! Will check him out.
|
|
ocarolan
Global Moderator
CURMUDGEONLY OLD GIT (leader - to join, just ask!)
Posts: 33,965
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"c0cfe1"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 182a3f
Mini-Profile Text Color: 733a1c
|
Post by ocarolan on Aug 1, 2016 23:17:16 GMT
Go naked. Well, without a pickguard anyway. You'll certainly get some marking of the top, but the chances are, unless you really crash away at it, it'll be mostly very light abrasions in the surface of the finish, only visible in certain lights and from certain angles. Your Alex won't need anything like hefty strumming to get the air moving - with medium/light strumming and decent technique you aren't going to gouge the wood, or you shouldn't do anyway. You have to look very closely at my pickguardless 6 yr old Custom Alex to see any marking at all. I'm mostly a fingerpicker, but do like a decent bit of strummage regularly! If you really can't bear the thought of going naked, use one of the transparent materials as recommended - I think visible pickguards spoil the elegant look of Fyldes. davewhite uses some nifty transparent stuff on some of his instruments don't you Dave?..... Keith
|
|
|
Post by vikingblues on Aug 2, 2016 7:37:14 GMT
I've never attached a pickguard myself but here's a video of a clear pickguard being installed. Might be helpful. Mylar Sheets at StewMacA clear pickguard has the great advantage of not spoiling the looks of a high quality guitars nicely figured soundboard. With the Lowden I had it was so clear it was almost invisible except when the light caught it at a particular angle. Mark
|
|
colins
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 2,320
|
Post by colins on Aug 2, 2016 9:14:03 GMT
I fit the StewMac clear mylar guards, on most of the guitars I make, they are easy to fit using the method Frank Ford shows, and can be cut to any shape with sharp scissors. When fitted you have to look close to see them.
If you'd like to make a paper template and send it to me I'll cut one and let you have it by return.
Colin
|
|
|
Post by dobro on Aug 2, 2016 9:37:17 GMT
Thanks everyone for the suggestions, and especially colins with his very kind offer Ocarolan has, for the time being, convinced me to wait it out. Should there be too much denting in the future, I might change my mind and cover it with a tortoise. Again, thank you all in this friendly and supportive forum
|
|
alig
C.O.G.
Posts: 1,059
|
Post by alig on Aug 3, 2016 11:02:35 GMT
|
|