(Little bit of thread creep here...but Easy Rider's post got me to thinking...)

One of the things, I've always found interesting and somewhat disturbing about Martin's is that for decades, when adding the nitro cellulose laquer to the top finish, they always applied this finish right over the pick guard as well...and of course when the laquer dries and shrinks, due to changes in climate, the infamous ''pickguard'' crack is the result.

Luthiers at The 12th Fret in Toronto have told me that they consider this pickguard crack as ''standard'', and would be surprised to find any Martin made between say, 1930s till early 90s, without it.

It is only in the last few years, that Martin stopped applying the finish over the pickguard, and instead glue the pickguard on to the dried top.

WHY did it take them so many years, to wake up one day and go ''Duh. Perhaps we shouldn't be applying the finish to the pickguard as well?''

Thoughts? Comments? (sorry about the thread creep)