Taylor Guitar Pickguard, Rosewood Abalone Mother of Pearl "Gears" Design Inlay, Free Mount System

Upgrade your guitar's look and protection with this expertly crafted Taylor guitar pickguard featuring intricate rosewood, abalone, and mother-of-pearl inlay. Designed specifically for the Taylor 100-900 series with a 5-inch diameter rosette, this pickguard strikes the perfect balance between style and function. These are not compatible with the GS Mini, short-scale guitar, or the Builder's Edition with 4-7/8 inch rosette.

Each pickguard is made from natural materials, including carefully selected woods and stunning inlay accents that highlight beautiful wood grains and unique patterns. Due to the nature of these materials, each one is slightly different; the colors in the abalone, mother of pearl, and the wood coloring and grain may slightly vary — each piece is numbered and digitally cataloged so you know exactly what you'll receive.

This pickguard boasts a Free Mount System, making installation smooth and reversible—ideal for both temporary customization and lasting upgrades! An installation video guide included helps amateurs and professional luthiers seamlessly integrate this piece.

Key features:
- Crafted for full-sized guitars with a 5-inch diameter rosette (not for GS Mini or short scale guitars)
- Made from natural rosewood, abalone, and mother-of-pearl inlay with distinctive, unique wood grain
- Easy to install and remove if you choose the Free Mount System option
- Perfect for enhancing your guitar’s cosmetic appearance, adding visual design with colorful accents

Whether you're playing for your own pleasure or an enthusiastic open mic night player, adding a custom pickguard offers a lovely visual upgrade grounded in craftsmanship. Note that variations in inlay and wood tone add special character to each piece. Elevate your guitar’s aesthetic today with this exclusive, artistically designed non-permanent upgrade!

Note: This is an aftermarket accessory made to fit Taylor guitars. Timber & Tide Luthier is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Taylor.

Free Mount Information and Installations

Discover the innovative Free Mount system for your custom guitar pickguard. Designed to revolutionize the way pickguards are attached, the Free Mount system ensures that up to 90% of the pickguard remains elevated a hair off the guitar’s surface. This ingenious design offers so many benefits, including protection against top cracks caused by binding something solid to the wood top, which needs to expand and contract. Installation is a breeze with the Free Mount system. Gone are the days when 3M tape required permanent commitment, where a single misstep could mean starting over. With Free Mount, not only is the installation process straightforward, but the pickguard is also fully removable and reusable. This flexibility is a game-changer for guitarists who value precision and versatility. There is also an enhancement of the guitar’s resonance by allowing the top to vibrate more freely than with traditional attachment methods like full-sheet 3M double-stick tape.

To assist you further, I have created comprehensive installation and removal tutorials. These videos will guide you through the process, demonstrating the ease of installation and how to remove the pickguard without damaging your guitar.

Free Mount Pickguard Install Video- https://youtu.be/1nS-JGHnKbo

Optionally, I am now offering a hybrid version. This uses the same backing, but instead of the Free Mount tape, you can get ¼" strips of 3M tape. This is recommended for any guitar with a nitrocellulose or oil-based finish, as the Free Mount tape does not work well on those finishes. The Hybrid Free Mount is installed the same way as the standard Free Mount, but you must ensure placement is correct before the 3M tape adheres to the top, as it is hard to remove. The advantage is that the pickguard sits closer to the top, but it does not completely cover the top as a standard full sheet of 3M does, which covers the entire back of the pickguard, so there’s no chance the top can crack over time due to the pickguard. And you can use as few as 4 small pieces to adhere the pickguard to the top. Once at each corner, and you can add a 5th in the center.

If you have any questions about the item or installation, please contact me directly at sales@TTLuthier.com

Important Pickguard Installation with 3M Tape

I recommend watching a few installation videos; in my opinion, Leo Posch’s is the best. In this tutorial, Leo demonstrates the proper steps for cleaning, aligning, and accurately positioning a pickguard. Please watch this video before proceeding with the installation. Broken pickguards cannot be returned, so it’s crucial to get it right the first time.

Pickguard Removal (3M Tape Backing)

If you have a pickguard that needs to be removed, this is an old video, but it's excellent. https://youtu.be/f6K76ACe2XI?si=VLudbQaBmMyX8ezM

Pickguard Care

Do not use any chemicals to clean your pickguard; use a dry or slightly damp microfiber cloth to wipe it clean. Please make sure to keep your guitar stored in a case with proper humidity and climate control to protect the wood. If you do not, the pickguard may warp (too warm or too dry). If you don't have a case, placing your guitar on a stand, using a guitar humidifier, a hygrometer, and sealing it in a large plastic bag will help maintain the right environment for both the pickguard and the guitar. Although you may not see any changes in your guitar, these conditions can affect the tone. It's important to keep your guitar humidified.