Les Paul Pickguard Screwhole

thegummy

Got a Les Paul earlier and once I'm home I'll be removing the pickguard.

Do any of you bother filling the screw hole with wood filler or anything or just leave it open?

Flink_Poyd

Left mine open just in case i decide to sell it. Thought about filling it in but the holes are quite small so I really didn't see the point 

WezV

Leave it open or put a small screw in it.  Neither are ideal, but better than a bodged fill

thermionic

The best solution is to put the pickguard back on.

chrisj1602

One of my friends stuffed some of his kid's Crayola in the hole. Depends on the colour obviously but it look fine on his.

Rocker

Use the screw that secures the scratchplate, with a tiny flat washer. The reality is that you won't see or notice the screw when you play...

thegummy

Thanks for the replies - a variety of options.

The point about selling in future rules out filling I think.

Will just leave it open, I don't think I'd like having a screw in there.

lustycourtier

I have never even considered this a thing

thegummy

lustycourtier said:

I have never even considered this a thing

As in, you took it off and left the holes open without thinking?

WezV

chrisj1602 said:

One of my friends stuffed some of his kid's Crayola in the hole. Depends on the colour obviously but it look fine on his.

Wax repair sticks are bloody useful things

you have me wondering if it’s worth keeping a pack of wax crayons around to melt together for colour matching

Funkfingers

thegummy said:

Got a Les Paul ... I'll be removing the pickguard. 

The H.S.A.W.A. requires that you surround the excavation with physical barriers and mandatory hazard warning signs. Entry to the danger area should only be made in the presence of a qualified safety person. Liaise with the relevant rescue personnel to agree an acceptable escape route. 

Silly question. Silly answer.

lustycourtier

thegummy said:

lustycourtier said:

I have never even considered this a thing

As in, you took it off and left the holes open without thinking?

Yes. In 20 years of playing les Paul’s and removing scratch plates, I’ve never been remotely bothered by two tiny holes. Maybe I just pick guitars up to play them? 

thegummy

Funkfingers said:

thegummy said:

Got a Les Paul ... I'll be removing the pickguard. 

The H.S.A.W.A. requires that you surround the excavation with physical barriers and mandatory hazard warning signs. Entry to the danger area should only be made in the presence of a qualified safety person. Liaise with the relevant rescue personnel to agree an acceptable escape route. 

Silly question. Silly answer.

Aye very good

boogieman

chrisj1602 said:

One of my friends stuffed some of his kid's Crayola in the hole. Depends on the colour obviously but it look fine on his.

...is the correct answer. Get a crayon that’s close enough in colour not to notice, rub it over the hole till it’s filled then polish it smooth. If anyone wants to put the scratchplate back on, they can easily drive the screws into the wax. 

thegummy

The crayon thing sounds good but the future selling thing could put me off.

Having said that, I've never sold a guitar so far and don't plan on starting so it is an option.

Maybe I'll just leave it and if I keep noticing the hole I'll use this method.

Cheers!

rico

I have never noticed the holes.