F-9 / A-9 Question

[JohnD]

I have only owned my F-9 a few weeks and already am seeing some scratches because of the lack of a pick guard. I don't play so wildly that the pick is making these marks but it appears they are being made by my finger nails (I am of the school of picking with a partially open hand resting on the top).

Without a hard finish and / or pick guard the top seems very susceptable to dings. It would seem to me the finish shouldn't be this soft. Is this normal - anyone else experiencing this?

[lownote]

I have had the exact same experience with my A9. The flat finish is soft and easily marks.

Lee

[BigJoe]

It's not a soft finish. It is just minimal finish. However, any mandolin would scratch in the same place no matter the finish. There are two ways to stop this. One is to use a pickguard. The other is to change technique slightly. The latter is usually the least preferred, but the most effective overall. Anyway, since it has less finish it will show wear faster. These things left alone over time can damage the wood. For an example, look at Monroe's mandolin as it has worn. I've seen some mandolins wear through the finish (all kinds...even poly...) in a relatively short time and others never leave a scratch on the finish. Just part of not having a pickguard.

[Trip]

my Flatiron Festy is even wearing through from fingerdrag and posting...and it has a nice hard finish it seems...the weird part is, I thought that the clearcoat would wear off and then show a slight depresion, but instead its just changed the color to the same as the center of burst...Im gonna keep it forever so I guess it doesnt matter

strangerstringband.com (http://www.strangerstringband.com)

[MrSrubas]

I keep thinking of Willie Nelson and that old Martin he picked a hole through. . .

[Michael H Geimer]

"This is my horse."
- W.N.

[Greenmando]

Music shops sell a clear pick guard that can be trimmed to fit.