Plato de Golpeado On Highly-Figured Wood

While lost in conversation with a friend, I picked up this guitar and started playing a few scales. The guitar was FANTASTIC!  Had I not been distracted, I never would have picked up such a presumptuous, pimped-out guitar. But this guitar will replace my stolen Rogue RD-80 acoustic.

I’m not too proud to show off the price tag. Minnie Pearl would be proud!

This thing is so flashy, traffic will pull off the road to let it drive by!

Eye candy all around!

Even the head stock is done in figured wood and mother of pearl.

While we’re gawking, check out these tuners; Really nice for an inexpensive guitar.

But, the darned thing was made in China. Gotta take the good with the bad.

Note that the nut is stepped, not uncommon on Ibanez guitars.

The intonated saddle is apparently made of the same stuff as the nut.  Ibanez calls this “Ivorex II”

My bride purchased this guitar. I took it home and did a setup. The fret board was as dry as the Sahara.

Likewise, the bridge hadn’t seen much care in a few years.

The previous owner was a smoker. Everything was covered with nicotine.

Something else that hadn’t seen much care in the last few years was the battery compartment.

The battery box needed a big clean-up.

Let’s string it up!

Among flamenco enthusiasts, the plato de golpeado, or tap plate, protects the sound board of the guitar from the finger taps, or golpes, a rhythmic percussive element of flamenco music.

This guitar has no pick guard, and I don’t want to put a pick guard that would hide the view.  However, a clear tap plate may be just the ticket to protect the sound board.

This product is a simple way to add a pick guard and not spoil the view.

A pair of scissors works this material easily.

Here is the other side cut to shape.  I rounded the corners to avoid sharp corners that would snag something.

One end is stuck down, and the rest of the backing is removed.

Another view of the peel and stick process.

In this view, you can see tiny air bubbles under the pick guard.  We can burnish these away.

A lint-free rag and some elbow grease is necessary at this step.

That’s better!

Jen puts this wonderful guitar through its paces.  No pick scratches on this guitar’s sound board!

Here is another review:

And a little bit more about how this model sounds (mine sounds like this but I can’t play it as well…)

Thanks for reading to the end!

CONTACT : David Latchaw EE
281-636-8626