what to do with drill holes that remain after removing pickguard?

**m_a** · 01-30-2015, 06:40 PM

I've decided to remove my semi-hollow's pickguard permanently after finding out I was more comfortable without one. Is it ok to leave the drill holes from a pickguard's tiny screws as they are, or better to fill them out, perhaps with wood paste? so as not to leave the guitar vulnerable to, maybe, wood parasites? Sorry if it seems a silly question but I'm genuinely wondering.

**Woody Sound** · 01-30-2015, 06:44 PM

If you really feel the need, fill them with the end of a toothpick.

**docbop** · 01-30-2015, 06:45 PM

Most just leave them.

**Max405** · 01-30-2015, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by m_a

I've decided to remove my semi-hollow's pickguard permanently after finding out I was more comfortable without one. Is it ok to leave the drill holes from a pickguard's tiny screws as they are, or better to fill them out, perhaps with wood paste? so as not to leave the guitar vulnerable to, maybe, wood parasites? Sorry if it seems a silly question but I'm genuinely wondering.

Wood Parasites? Where the heck do you live?
Seriously, if you are worried about wood parasites eating the Guitar, you should put a big rubber over it, even while you are using it.
JD

**maggles55** · 01-30-2015, 06:54 PM

If you are worried about wood parasites, stop leaving the guitar laying outside in the dirt for long periods.

maggles

**spiral** · 01-30-2015, 07:05 PM

I put a sticker over them. A star, kitty, a smiling banana, etc. (truly) If you have kids ask them to help.

If that isn't your style use a hole punch and punch your own stickers out of paper labels and then match your guitar color by coloring the sticker with sharpies etc. Or cover with a bit of cello tape and sharpie it.

Or leave them. It won't hurt anything

If there are wood parasites I am in trouble. Those f-holes are an open invitation.
.

**pubylakeg** · 01-30-2015, 07:19 PM

Why don't you put the screws back into the holes after removing the p/guard. Should prevent losing the screws and totally reversible should you change your mind (or sell the guitar).

**m_a** · 01-30-2015, 07:28 PM

So it was just a Friday night paranoia moment, thinking that a tiny section of freshly exposed wood might be tempting to some unidentified wall-creeping pests. And the notion crept in my head that there might be an invisible treatment protecting the inside, which would be absent on the now "exposed" drill hole "sides". Oh well.

(When I was a kid I witnessed what pests could do to old furniture in a much older house, and all the kids and adults present got to treat the hundreds of tiny holes in the furniture. It felt like fighting an army of invisible microspiders. It took hours. The product stunk and stung. That memory must have resurfaced

)

**Spook410** · 01-30-2015, 07:49 PM

They make wood putty in all sorts of colors. Get the kind that fully hardens. Match the color and fill the hole. Be sure to clean up any excess before it hardens.

**jazzbow** · 01-31-2015, 01:59 PM

Toothpick works well. Top off with a dab of superglue.

Go the extra mile like this.....

what to do with drill holes that remain after removing pickguard?-img_0368-640x478-jpg

what to do with drill holes that remain after removing pickguard?-img_0368-640x478-jpg

Powdered mahogany from fitting different screw sizes over time

what to do with drill holes that remain after removing pickguard?-img_0424-640x478-jpg

what to do with drill holes that remain after removing pickguard?-img_0424-640x478-jpg

Making mahogany plugs

what to do with drill holes that remain after removing pickguard?-img_0426-640x478-jpg

Get to this shape
what to do with drill holes that remain after removing pickguard?-img_0433-640x478-jpg

Different sized plugs all glued up

what to do with drill holes that remain after removing pickguard?-img_0480-640x478-jpg

Chisle excess wood, cover with super glue then cut excess with sharp chisle
what to do with drill holes that remain after removing pickguard?-img_0485-640x478-jpg

what to do with drill holes that remain after removing pickguard?-img_0485-640x478-jpg

Polish.

what to do with drill holes that remain after removing pickguard?-img_0488-640x478-jpg

Finish

**Flat** · 01-31-2015, 02:39 PM

Yeah, toothpick and SuperGlue. You could also mix some fine sawdust with some SuperGlue and dab it into place.

This site shows a very detailed procedure for a similar situation. He gets pretty into it.

FRETS.COM

**Longways to Go** · 01-31-2015, 03:48 PM

I just leave 'em -- no big deal. I don't have much use for pickguards. If the guitar is dark, you can take a dark colored marker to make the hole less visible -- works great! After a short while, I forget it's even there.

**mr quick** · 01-31-2015, 04:19 PM

This is an excellent idea for a "floating" pickup . Mount it in the remaining pick-guard holes!

**cosmic gumbo** · 02-01-2015, 09:01 AM

They make many brands and colors of wood filler crayons that provide a nice cosmetic fix that is not permanant.

**Marty Grass** · 02-01-2015, 09:19 AM

I've found myself on the opposite side of your situation. I get a guitar that I need to put a PG on.

Toothpicks work for me to fill screw holes that have stripped out. I don't use superglue though. You can't wipe that off if it smears on the finish. Elmer's Glue is the ticket.

I agree with putting the screws back in the holes in your scenario.

**DanielleOM** · 02-01-2015, 11:41 AM

Just in case this is a poll, I vote for putting the screws back in. Suppose you could get them in a different color or finish if you do not like the look. Some one will want the pick guard back on at some point in time.

Danielle

**Whirly** · 02-01-2015, 12:48 PM

I just leave the holes empty, but those little coctail umbrellas would be a festive solution. A little olive sword would be good for a mid set snack. Screw on a hook and you have a convenient place to hang your keys.

Thanks. I'm here all week.