Official Luthiers Forum!

Hey guys. I'm a newbie here so first I wanted to say hello!
Now, I have an old archtop here right now that will soon get a pickguard. This guitar is at least 60-70 years old and it looks like the pg holes might be a bit stripped and/or large. I've never done work like this before.

What are the methods that are available to me so that I can get a nice tight fit when I put the pickguard on? The new pg will most likely cover the holes, so I'm not as much concerned with appearance as I am with function, i.e. the guard staying on. I also don't want to mess with this guitar's finish as I would like to keep it as original as possible. I've heard a little about the toothpick method but I don't know too much about it. Has anyone ever had a similar dilemma?

Put a toothpick into the hole with a drop of white or yellow glue. Break off the toothpick flush with the surface. Now install your screw. The wood and glue will fill in around the screw and provide plenty of pull-out resistance.

Thanks Barry. From your post it sounds like I don't have to wait for the glue to fully dry. Is that correct? I assume since it's only a drop or so I don't have to worry about any squeeze-out getting on the guard?

Correct on both counts.