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!

NEW PICKGUARD FREE MOUNTING SYSTEM - PLEASE READ ALL INFO
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% (depending on how much tape you leave on the pickguard) of the pickguard remains elevated a hair off the guitar’s surface. This ingenious design offers numerous benefits, including protection against top cracks caused by binding something solid to the wood top, which expands and contracts. Installation is a breeze with the Free Mount system, too. Gone are the days of permanent commitment required by 3M tape, where a single misstep could mean a damaged pickguard or guitar top and starting over. With the Free Mount System, the installation process is straightforward, and the pickguard is 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, such as full-sheet 3M/double-stick tape.
The Free Mount system employs a thin plastic layer and an innovative nonadhesive tape that leaves no residue, ensuring clean removal. This tape is designed to peel off easily without damaging your guitar’s finish. It is not recommended for oil-based and nitrocellulose finishes. It’s essential to check the finish on your guitar before deciding between the FM and Hybrid Free Mount options.

To assist you further, I have created comprehensive tutorials on installation and removal. These videos will guide you through the process, showing how easy installation is and how to remove the pickguard without damaging your guitar.
Guitar Free Mount Pickguard Install Video- https://youtu.be/1nS-JGHnKbo
Guitar Free Mount Pickguard Removal Video-https://youtu.be/WX9hEWDZWyU

Optionally, I am now offering a hybrid version as mentioned above. This is recommended for any guitar with a nitrocellulose, lacquer, or oil-based finish, as the Free Mount tape does not adhere well to those finishes and may damage them over time. The hybrid is the best of both, offering the same thin plastic backing on the pickguard, Free Mount tape, with an added layer of 3M tape to protect the guitar’s finish. 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 fully cover it, unlike a standard full-sheet 3M. There’s no risk of the top cracking over time because of the pickguard. You can use as few as four small pieces to secure the pickguard to the top. Place one at each corner, and use a 5th piece in the center. If you have any questions about the item or installation, please get in touch with me using Etsy messaging or directly at sales@mintstrings.com

Important Pickguard Installation with 3M Tape
I recommend viewing a few installation videos, and in my opinion, Leo Posch’s video stands out as 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 the installation right the first time.
Guitar 3M Pickguard Install Video- https://youtu.be/TNjE7qgcfpw

Pickguard Care
Please do not use chemicals to clean your pickguard. Use a microfiber cloth, dry or slightly damp, to wipe it clean. Please ensure your guitar is 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 and a hygrometer, and sealing it in a large plastic bag will help maintain the correct 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.

Pickguard Return Policy
1) Pickguard Return Policy with Free Mount- If returning a pickguard with Free Mount, since once installed, it cannot be switched back to the 3M tape, the $5 upgrade is nonrefundable.
2) Pickguard Return Policy with 3M- The backing must be intact, and never removed from the pickguard. Please do not remove and then reinstall the 3M backing. After years of making these, I know when the backing has been removed. Removing the backing will change the pickguard's status from new to used, and you will receive only 50% of the purchase price, provided the pickguard is undamaged and still usable. If it is returned with damage, whether caused during installation or during return shipping, you will not receive a refund. It's extremely important that all returns be packaged well. If you return it in an envelope, even if padded, the USPS machines will break it. I've seen this happen.
3) There is a 20% restock fee for all pickguards that are made to order.
4) Shipping is nonrefundable; the actual shipping will be deducted from the refund to cover shipping on all orders. This includes items listed with "Free Shipping" (which is not free). If two or more items were shipped together and you keep at least one item, the shipping charge will not be deducted.
As of May 2026, the average price for a 4-oz package is $6.50