Pick guard with electronic control housing and interface for acoustic guitar

An acoustic guitar, comprising:

• a body including a resonate cavity covered by a soundboard;
• a pick guard having a first surface mounted to the body and a second surface, wherein a portion of the second surface is offset from the first surface to form a cavity between the first and second surfaces of the pick guard;
• and
• an electronic component mounted inside the cavity of the pick guard.

A pick guard for a musical instrument having a surface with a sound hole into a resonate cavity, the pick guard comprising:

• a first surface adapted for mounting to the musical instrument;
• a second surface having a striking region and a raised region integral with and ramping up from the striking region;
• a housing formed between the first surface and the raised region of the second surface;
• and
• an electronic component mounted within the housing.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a body having a resonate cavity and an opening into the resonate cavity;
• a protective guard having a surface mounted to the body;
• a housing formed within the protective guard;
• an electronic component mounted within the housing of the protective guard;
• and
• a conductor coupled to the electronic component and routed along a surface of the body and through the opening into the resonate cavity of the body.

A method of protecting a surface of a musical instrument, comprising:

• mounting a protective guard having a surface to a soundboard;
• providing a housing within the protective guard;
• mounting an electronic component within the housing of the protective guard;
• connecting a cable to the electronic component;
• and
• routing the cable along a surface of the soundboard and around a lip of an opening in the soundboard into a resonate cavity of the musical instrument.