Is this bad?

vanmalmsteen · July 2022

The circular pattern is a clear film that I cut out because my fingernails were tearing up the finish, so it’s a pickguard, and it feels like it would be very hard to peel off if I were to have somebody repair that crack? Does that crack look terrible, is the pic guard providing it any stability? Should I just loosen the strings and not play it?

MichaelHorowitz · July 2022

@vanmalmsteen I would recommend having that crack cleated as they often just get worse if they’re not secured. Those Mylar scratchplates usually come off with heat. Our tech John can usually get them off seamlessly.

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Bones · July 2022

For sure take it to a luthier. They will peel off the pickguard with a little heat then work some glue into the crack and add a cleat (small piece of spruce) inside and across grain to stabilize it. They can prob touch up the finish as well.

Try one of the pick guard materials that don't need adhesive if you want.