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Thread: Pickguard material?

  1. #1
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    Default Pickguard material?

    What is the name of the black material used for pickguards on Lyon & Healy A and early Martin Style 20 mandolins?

  2. #2
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pickguard material?

    The material that L&H used was described as Vulcanized Fiber.

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...aly-Pickguards
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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  4. #3
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    Default Re: Pickguard material?

    Excellent -- thank you. The material Martin used on their Style 20 seems to be very similar -- if not the same.

  5. #4
    Mandolin & Mandola maker
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    Default Re: Pickguard material?

    Yes, Lyon and Healy pickguards are made from vulcanized fiber, otherwise known as fish paper.
    Peter Coombe - mandolins, mandolas and guitars
    http://www.petercoombe.com

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  7. #5

    Default Re: Pickguard material?

    Fish paper sounds bad enough, but the stuff was once known as gelatinized fiber - even worse. The Wikipedia article is more than detailed on the subject, but our takeaway should be that it is still manufactured, not lost to time or progress. Or subject to import-export regulations as are other materials we might have.

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  9. #6
    Registered User Hendrik Ahrend's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pickguard material?

    Yes, that material is still available. Moreover, I happen to own some of the right (L & H) thickness. (No financial interest.)

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  11. #7
    Registered User jim simpson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pickguard material?

    Old Hometown, Cabin Fever String Band

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