New Cocobolo Pickguard on AD17e from ThaliaCapos

[BuddyO]

Just wanted to share what I think may be my last upgrade.
A beautiful Cocobolo pickguard to replace the faux tortoiseshell:

[Strumming Fool]

What a classy upgrade! It looks beautiful. You have great taste  - thanks for sharing!

[TaylorGirl]

Looks great. Thanks for sharing. Funny, because I had just ordered a new wood PG from Thalia for my 2002 414. I got the guitar before I realized I don't like/need PG's. I just love the guitar. This should do the trick. Your PG looks awesome!

[SoCalSurf]

That looks fantastic! What a great idea!

[Chris_T]

Looks great! Difficult to swap out?

[Acoustic Corky]

Looks classy. Nice job.

[BuddyO]

Looks great! Difficult to swap out?

Hi Chris, it wasn't hard at all to swap out.
I used a hair dryer to heat up the existing pickguard, then picked up the top skinny edge and peeled it away very slowly as I moved the hair dryer along.
I used my fingers to roll small bits of residual glue off (it was rubbery and rolled off nicely) and then used the Taylor Satin Finish cleaner to get it pristine.
Luckily there was a slight bit of light discoloration where it had been, and I used that to situate the new one over it.
I unpeeled the edge backing from left to right just slightly to start laying it down and slowly pressed and peeled back until the whole guard was on.
I had watched a youtube video previously which showed how to do it.

[BuddyO]

Also, just wanted to add a word of caution for other AD owners if they want to order from Thalia.
Currently, their site shows the wrong part number and size for the American Dream series Grand Pacific Dreadnaughts:
https://www.thaliacapos.com/collections/taylor-custom-parts/products/cocobolo-taylor-pick-guard

I had ordered a DNGO-55 originally, but it was too large.  The 55 in the number refers to the diameter of the rosette measured from the outside edges.  Mine measured at 5 inches.
I emailed them and they sent me a replacement DNGO-50 which fit perfectly.
They also sent a pre-paid shipping label to return the original.
Great customer service.

[Chris_T]

Looks great! Difficult to swap out?

Hi Chris, it wasn't hard at all to swap out.

Thanks, Buddy! I think I watched that same vid yesterday. 👊🏼

[TaylorGirl]

Looks great! Difficult to swap out?

Hi Chris, it wasn't hard at all to swap out.
I used a hair dryer to heat up the existing pickguard, then picked up the top skinny edge and peeled it away very slowly as I moved the hair dryer along.
I used my fingers to roll small bits of residual glue off (it was rubbery and rolled off nicely) and then used the Taylor Satin Finish cleaner to get it pristine.
Luckily there was a slight bit of light discoloration where it had been, and I used that to situate the new one over it.
I unpeeled the edge backing from left to right just slightly to start laying it down and slowly pressed and peeled back until the whole guard was on.
I had watched a youtube video previously which showed how to do it.

Thalia's video is good too. I appreciate your instructions, it reinforces how I need to approach it. I know I will have a pretty good tan line, so that should be a plus. I've already got my husband on board to assist, however I feel is needed. He's always a great help.

[Chris_T]

Just wanted to share what I think may be my last upgrade.
A beautiful Cocobolo pickguard to replace the faux tortoiseshell:

What color is your back & sides wood?

I have one with cherry stained sapele. Cocobolo looks like the best match. I really like the rosewood but I don’t think it would look right.

[BuddyO]

Just wanted to share what I think may be my last upgrade.
A beautiful Cocobolo pickguard to replace the faux tortoiseshell:

What color is your back & sides wood?

I have one with cherry stained sapele. Cocobolo looks like the best match. I really like the rosewood but I don’t think it would look right.

Chris, my back and sides are ovangkol and I like the way the Cocobolo looks against it.
If I were trying to find a close match it would have been the Zircote, but that is dark and doesn’t show enough grain for me.

[Chris_T]

Just wanted to share what I think may be my last upgrade.
A beautiful Cocobolo pickguard to replace the faux tortoiseshell:

What color is your back & sides wood?

I have one with cherry stained sapele. Cocobolo looks like the best match. I really like the rosewood but I don’t think it would look right.

Chris, my back and sides are ovangkol and I like the way the Cocobolo looks against it.
If I were trying to find a close match it would have been the Zircote, but that is dark and doesn’t show enough grain for me.

Thanks, Buddy. I think the cocobolo is the best choice for me too.

[beachbum205]

Great upgrade! It goes perfectly with your Hawaiian Koa Rosette.

Thanks for sharing!

[donlyn]

BuddyO,

Thanks for sharing. My 818e came with a rosewood pickguard, and it looks wicked cool. As I have a few other guitars with plastic pickguards, this gives me something to check out.

Thanks again,

Don