A laminated structure for pick guards and back plates for guitars or other stringed instruments, electric or acoustic, utilizes a layered composite material typically featuring two metal facers bonded together with a composite plastic non-conductive core material, and typically coating the exterior surfaces with a durable anti-scratch layer. The pick guard is machined to shape, edge-beveled, edge-polished and drilled custom to each make and model. The non-conductive core between metal layers forms an electrical capacitor. The composite laminated stack serves as an electrostatic shield to reduce pickup interference, and is much lighter in weight than an equivalent all-metal panel. Providing scratch protection, control mounting, shielding and aesthetic benefits, the pick guard can be retrofitted to instruments after-market or incorporated in original manufacture.