Is there any saving this pickguard???

[Ian Pender]

So apparently someone used the wrong adhesive to reglue this pickguard. Now, as you can kind of see in the pics, it's swelling up in the middle, but it's still mostly attached on sides. Any idea what might be causing this, or how to fix it? The guitar in question is an old Harmony, and I'd like to try and save the original pickguard if that is at all possible.

[Robbie Collins]

Maybe place top down on flat surface (12" x 12" marble tile works, though a heat sink). Heat sand bag in microwave to 150º, place on top, and allow to cool. Raise temp gradually to find sweet spot between flattening and melting.

Measuring temp - maybe a meat thermometer through a small hole on top to be patched with duct tape or an infrared unit. 

Sandbags - see Frank's DIY at

http://www.frets.com/HomeShopTech/Shop/Sandbag/sandbag.html

[Ian Pender]

What about softening the pickguard in hot water first before clamping to a flat surface?

[Mark McLean]

This tute from Frets.com might help you.

http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier/Technique/Guitar/Pickguards...

How flexible is it in the most buckled part? Would it clamp back down?  A hairdrier might help to soften it if it is plastic (or to set it on fire if it is celluloid - be careful of that!)

[Ian Pender]

It's kind of flexible, but I don't know that it'll clamp back down and stay put without first being flattened somehow. I was thinking about doing something similar to what Robbie suggested above. I've been considering immersing it in hot water (both to soften it and to remove old glue residue) before clamping it to a flat surface. I've made sharp bends in ivoroid binding in this manner, so I feel like this should work. What do you think?

[Thomas James]

I did a bunch of work on that same model guitar last summer. The guard was peeling up, but nowhere near that bad. I re-glued that with a clamping caul that I left it on for a few days.

That looks like it might be difficult to get flat.There is a seller on eBay that offers 'new' Harmony pickguards. Some have graphics. You may want to inquire. I have bought a few for archtops and they were well made at a fair price.

[Paul Verticchio]

A very cool Harmony. You don't (at least I don't) see those too often.

Did you do a conversion to a conventional bridge/saddle combo, Tom?

Are those real Hiwatt cab's in the background....with Fane speakers? 50 watt head?

It's a beautiful restoration, Tom.

[Thomas James]

Thanks Paul, Re-glued bridge, re-set neck, bone saddle and nut, and other repairs that cost far more than the value of the guitar. A 'sentimental' job for a father and daughter.

That's a late 60's DR504 Hiwatt 50 on top of 4X10 Marshall cabs with Hiwatt badge and paisley grill cloth. Makes my favorite sounds.

[Paul Verticchio]

Great rig, Tom. I consider Hiwatt to be the Rolls Royce of rock amps.

Cool story on the guitar. I think we all do a few worthy full or partial pro bono projects every year. Good for the spirit...of everyone involved.

Sincere Kudos :)