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Currently close to finishing a dreadnought - number 4! Wanted to try and make a pickguard for it for the first time. I used some figured Tasmanian blackwood, which is also used on the headstock.

I figured I should spray it (nitro) before fitting it on the guitar. Even though it is thicker than the typical plastic guards, it was tending to curl up on the sides in its bare wood state. So I coated both sides in shellac, and attached it to a bit of mdf with 5 small pieces of 2 sided tape around the edge, so that I could easily remove it once it was finished.

Coats all went on fine, but I found that when doing the final wet sanding, it was even pulling away from the double sided tape and wanting to curl, with the result that the lacquer cracked in a couple of places.

Am I going about this the wrong way?
I even wondered if I should I stick the bare guard (maybe shellac both sides first) to the finished guitar, mask up the guitar around the guitar, and then put the coats on?

I couldn't find anything in the archive on this, so hope someone out there can give me some direction.
Thanks. Frank.

That wood looks great, I would try refinishing with something that does not shrink, epoxy might work and would be less prone to scratching. I have seen guitars with a wood pickguard of just polished and oiled natural wood like a bridge or fingerboard.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

I did one out of Hickory and just used some lemon oil like I use on bridges.When I change strings ,I just give it another blast.I think the problem with any kind of finish is that it will get scratched up pretty easy.
James

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James W Bolan
Nashville Tennessee

Anytime you put a liquid to one side of a piece of wood -that side will swell -because of the liquid flowing into the fibers-the other side is dry-it does not swell.

glue it to the top -then finish it!
mike

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Mike Collins