Took pickguard off my 714ce LTD 12 fret........

[Sprintbob]

.....and it looks sooooooo much better. Taylor using a cheap tortoise pickguard on this guitar looked like an afterthought and it stuck out like a sore thumb. I might go back with the black pickguard that will match the binding but for now I really like the sans pickguard look. Taylor needs to ditch the tortoise pickguard. The black, new mottled brown, and the rosewood pickguards look so much better and classier IMO.

[Earl]

No argument from me.  I'd rather not have a pick guard at all, or have it come loose in the case for the buyer to decide.  But if there must be one, it should either be black or preferably clear to allow the wood to show through.  (It is truly criminal to put a pick guard over flamed koa).  While pick guards are fairly easy to remove, there is always the specter of a tan line, even on a relatively new guitar.

I did remove a peeling pick guard from a then 16-year old 410, and the clearer parts of the tortoisehell patterns had left dark spots underneath, compared to the darker more opaque parts.  I tried masking it off and using 35-40 hours of direct afternoon sun exposure, but the dramatic tan line was never going to match up with the top and the freckles never went away.  I ended up putting on a black pick guard to cover up the whole mess before selling it.

[Guitar Cowboy]

I am a strummer who needs pick guards, but I have to agree that I am not a fan of the tortoise pick guards. I have one on my  2013  816ce and I have thought more than once  about replacing it with... something. I'm not a fan of the newer brown ones on the 700 series but Id take that over tortoise. Also,  not a big fan of the black plastic pick guards  as my relatively new 224 kdlx has one and it  really shows the pick marks ... evidence that I need pick guard, I guess,.  I am leaning towards ebony "variegated or not "  over black plastic, but I don't think Taylor will sell me one , so it would have to be aftermarket.

Glad to hear you removed yours without incident and that you like the result.

[zeebow]

i’m a no pickgaurd kind of guy, maybe the clear one would work for ya?

[Geosh]

...I am leaning towards ebony "variegated or not "  over black plastic, but I don't think Taylor will sell me one , so it would have to be aftermarket.

Glad to hear you removed yours without incident and that you like the result.

I got a Thinwood pickguard from this guy a while back (http://www.artisanguitarcreations.com/index.php?route=common/home) for my 814ce. I wanted one styled like the newer 814ce rosewood guards, and it was very nice.

[Guitar Cowboy]

...I am leaning towards ebony "variegated or not "  over black plastic, but I don't think Taylor will sell me one , so it would have to be aftermarket.

Glad to hear you removed yours without incident and that you like the result.

I got a Thinwood pickguard from this guy a while back (http://www.artisanguitarcreations.com/index.php?route=common/home) for my 814ce. I wanted one styled like the newer 814ce rosewood guards, and it was very nice.

THANKS for the link !

[Sprintbob]

Thanks Geosh for the link to Artisan Guitar Creations. While I really liked the sans pickguard look, I was worried about scratching the cedar top with a pick so got a rosewood pickguard from them. Way better than the plastic tortoise guard.

[StrummingMadMan]

I almost always remove my pickguards regardless of how old the guitar is when I get it. Personally, I don’t care so much about a tan line or if the wood gets some wear from playing. I think it all adds character to the guitar. But of course this is a topic with varying opinions.

[CRFAn1]

How did you remove your pick guard?  my 710e has a corner that is slightly lifting and bent and I want to remove and replace it......

[StrummingMadMan]

How did you remove your pick guard?  my 710e has a corner that is slightly lifting and bent and I want to remove and replace it......

There are YouTube videos if you are a visual person, but I use a hairdryer on low or medium heat and a paint scraper. Warm the glue with the hair dryer and slowly and gently use the scraper to remove the pick guard. Just take it nice a slow, don’t dig in. There may be some sticky residue from the glue afterwards. I use lighter fluid on a rag to wipe it off.

[CRFAn1]

Great thanks...kind of what I figured...

[Guitar Cowboy]

Does anyone have a suggestions on how to place the new pick guard, so you get it in the right position. I assume you can use any  tan lines as a guide to get it back  down in the right place. But does the adhesive used on the back of  replacement pick guards allow you to do any fine adjustments to the position or do you  have one shot to get it placed correctly?

[chuckie egg]

I ordered my 712ce-12f without pickguard. It took 3 months but saves the stress of removing a pickguard at your own risk or what to do if it leaves a tan line.   

I do like the stripey wood pickguard that Taylor do on their 600 series though, if I had to have one.   

[StrummingMadMan]

Does anyone have a suggestions on how to place the new pick guard, so you get it in the right position. I assume you can use any  tan lines as a guide to get it back  down in the right place. But does the adhesive used on the back of  replacement pick guards allow you to do any fine adjustments to the position or do you  have one shot to get it placed correctly?

It is pretty simple in my opinion. I could write it all out, but luckily there is a YouTube video where the guy does exactly what I do.

https://youtu.be/FYGDeZFlaA0

Let me know if you need any help or have any questions

[zeebow]

I ordered my 712ce-12f without pickguard. It took 3 months but saves the stress of removing a pickguard at your own risk or what to do if it leaves a tan line.   

I do like the stripey wood pickguard that Taylor do on their 600 series though, if I had to have one.   

so beautiful!