I think more people do than you might realize, as a lot of the guards are clear, so you just don't see it.
I hear iPad screen protectors work very well.
For strumming, I often use a felt plectrum ... no problems there, when I'm using a soft nylon pick for melody (Jim Dunlop 0.46mm) it doesn't get close enough to the body of the instrument to cause damage
However, I do have an area of wear above the strings on my Kala concert from where I've been claw-hammering enthusiastically and my thumb has been banging on the body
I'm not sure about "clear acrylic". I think if it gets scratched it'll look as bad as if it wasn't there and need to be replaced, which may cause issues with adhesives etc. If I was going for a pick guard I'd choose either a solid colour or "tortoise-shell pattern", then it'd look like a pick-guard that had earned it's keep without pretending not to be there, but that's just my thoughts on the matter. I do have pick-guards on some of my guitars and I think they look quite smart, but there's no real sign of wear on any of them ... maybe 'cos i mostly finger-pick guitar :biglaugh:
I think more people do than you might realize, as a lot of the guards are clear, so you just don't see it.
I hear iPad screen protectors work very well.
Exactly. I use picks quite a bit, both because I'm primarily a guitarist and because fast strumming with many up-strokes (on both uke and guitar) can eventually give my finger a rope burn (I use the guitar style thumb for down-stroke, index for up-stroke; not sure how many ukers do that.)
I'd also like to know of a source for clear, easily removable 'cling' type pickguards, for both uke and guitar.
I remember seeing something on StewMac, but dont recall if it has an adhesive or not to hold it on.
I have a cedar top guitar with a matte finish that is getting wear on the top from my fingernails on the downstrum, and I'd like to protect it before it gets much worse.