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To clamp it on you will need to make a caul the same shape as the guard but slightly smaller - something like 3/4" MDF will be ideal - and a large one for the inside, to spread the load evenly over the braces. A single big G-clamp will be enough. You will inevitably get a lot of squeeze-out but it's easy enough to wipe off, with enough kitchen roll - you've got a couple of hours before it starts to go tacky. If you miss any it can be scraped off cleanly once it's gone rubbery but not fully hard.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Is this the stuff I need
https://www.screwfix.com/p/araldite-2-part-epoxy-adhesive-tubes-opaque-2-x-15ml/2457h?_requestid=742562
https://www.cooksongold.com/Stringing/Araldite-Standard-2x15ml-Tubes-----Un3082-prcode-998-340?p=gs&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0pvUlJyQ5QIVB7LtCh2euwH7EAQYCSABEgKUV_D_BwE
If you’re worried about it cracking, try a test flattening of it onto a table or something. I’ve not done a Yamaha one so I don’t know for sure if it’s the same as the plastic Gibson used.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
There's a couple of stew Mac videos mentioning it where he probably got his information from but I think this would take decades rather than months
Im no expert but please do not use araldite for this. Because if the guard ever has to come off ie if it shrinks more you will not be able to remove the epoxy glue without damaging the wood
It may be better to replace the guard with a new plastic one so it is not warped and wont shrink
a quick look on youtube 3m transfer tape seems to do the job
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
not really. even if you do this it is likely it will also pull of the finish or a thin layer of the wood it is stuck to.
but I guess it does depend on the value of the guitar. Like I said I am no expert but I have been watching a lot of luthier repair videos and the all seem to advise on not using epoxy. tape seems to be their preferred method for pickguards. They also never try and reuse a warped pickguard
I have successfully done so with several. With something like an old Gibson it’s either that or use a replacement guard, which is considered a devaluation.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I was searching for advice on adhesive to refit my old acoustic pickguard, found this thread and noticed I have exactly the same 70’s Yamaha FG300 as you!
Mine has warped badly so that the pointy edges lift away, I think it’s celluloid. It has been badly reglued many times before. Scraping the old glues off, it is bare wood underneath.
Im also going to try and straighten the pickguard to get it flat, as it still has some flexibility in it, so may try hot water to soften it then clamp it under some heavy books for a while.
What is the best adhesive to use? I can’t use tape as the pickguard is semi transparent.
If you can’t replace it, I would use high-strength epoxy - eg Araldite, slow set type. It’s not only very strong, it has the advantage of very long working time so you’ll be able to spread it very evenly and thinly over the guard so it will form a complete and invisible layer.
(Just realised I repeated myself rather here! But the same advice still applies - I have successfully done this with epoxy, but not with any other method.)
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein