MorrisrownSal Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Would you guys do it? I know that a pickguard "can" impede "tone", and the thicker the guard, the more you risk that happening. I love this guitar's sound, but I also love the B25/J5- ish pick guard aesthetic look. My thought is that for really delicate "tone" that one loves... ie on an upscale Martin or Gibson with intricate specs, the risk of tone-loss might outweigh having that look. However these small body Gibsons have a sweet uncomplicated sound; maybe it would not be a big deal? I would love to hear any and all thoughts! What would you do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 I'd take it off. I moved my pickguard really easily and if yours sounds worse without it then just stick it back on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted August 8, 2014 Author Share Posted August 8, 2014 I'd take it off. I moved my pickguard really easily and if yours sounds worse without it then just stick it back on. Thanks BBG. It comes with no pickguard. I would have to add it aftermarket if I want it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 ah! I misunderstood. I know now what you mean.yours is naked . I like the B guitars look too. that's with the southern jumbo style guard right ? my 45 just has a regular old teardrop guard and, after reading stuff about a thicker or bigger guard supposedly effecting tone , I gave the guitar a whirl while it was naked. surprisingly enough - absolutely no difference in how it sounded ! I also remember parlourman changed his teardrop to a larger southern jumbo style with no difference in sound either. But I have to do one of these , just cos it's the Internet - YMMV. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
father_of_pearl Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Same experience for me on my J45... ...I gave the guitar a whirl while it was naked. surprisingly enough - absolutely no difference in how it sounded ! Sal, I'd definitely put a pickguard. I like both shapes, although the 1960's guard might look a touch too big for a smaller body than a J50 : Without : 1950s: 1960s : Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted August 8, 2014 Author Share Posted August 8, 2014 FOP.. great post and thanks for the pictures. I guess it is personal choice I have to grapple with. Question... 60's J50 pickguard... Black Matte or tortoise? Which would look better to you? Any chance you can photoshop and blacken the guard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stubee Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 I'd put a pickguard on it because I like the look. I'm not into the 'impeding tone' thing on steel string guitars. I've had many old Gibsons with all kinds of pickguards that sounded great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gasman Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Hey Sal - I just went through this same dilemma - I even ordered a nice Firestripe guard. But after some thought I just like the idea of no pickguard - For a Gibson its a little unique. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
father_of_pearl Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Darker Tortoise all the way! Just like on the pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vacamartin Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 If you play heavy, using picks, I'd put one on. Fingerstyle has little risk of scraping the top, but hard strumming will turn it into a "Trigger" clone in a few years or less. I don't see the tone being compromised, especially when you plug in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobouz Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 I debated this for many months with my LG-2 AE. Finally mounted a J-45 teardrop from Terrapin Guitars. It is a light tortoise color, and I LOVE IT! A huge improvement in visual balance, imho. I don't post pics, but if you PM me your email, I'll send you a photo. Considering that this region of the instrument is already heavily braced, the impact of a small and light pickguard should be minimal, and I for one noticed absolutely no difference in tone on my LG-2 AE. I used to have a '65 B-25 with the very thick batwing guard, and certainly you would suspect a guard like that to impact tone to some extent, but I liked the sound & never took it off. Bottom line - your ears will settle the matter. One more thought: Upon arrival, I experimented with the pickguard's placement for quite a while. Someone here on the board had a great tip a while back, which was to place a small piece of tape on the right side of the guard protruding a bit over the edge - while the adhesive backing is still on. This allows you to set it in place, assess it, and move it if you so desire. When you finally have it where you want it, you flip the guard over like opening a book from the back, peel the adhesive film off, and then carefully flip it back into it's permanent position. Worked great, as it allowed me to fully visualize many positions that were slightly different, and then settle on a favorite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorick Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Hi Sal, I used to think the guard made a difference. Perhaps the slabs like those on the Everly Brothers guitars did. But the modern thin guards don't appear to be tone killers to me. If it were mine, I'd go with a tortoise colored J 50 style Guard--that would be the 60s B25n look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluesKing777 Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 My 59 LG3 - p/g gives it more character - like a mini J50 .... http://s1300.photobucket.com/user/BluesKing777/media/Lattice-01c_zps2979af38.jpg.html?sort=3&o=33 BluesKing777. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ponty Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 This guitar looks so much better with a PG. Big or tear drop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smurfbird Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 If pick guards are such a big tone consideration, would the Hummingbird or the J-200 be better off w/o their their trademark guards? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pickax Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 I'd want a PG on a LG2-AE. Looks naked without one. Adding a teardrop PG will not affect tone/volume in a perceptible way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share Posted August 11, 2014 Thanks all. I think I will try and find a guard on ebay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bram99 Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Thanks all. I think I will try and find a guard on ebay. Sal....tried to PM you but apparently posted to your status comments page. Look there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted August 12, 2014 Author Share Posted August 12, 2014 Bram you are a generous dude... I just bought a J50 style one. Thanks anyway. Good karma back to you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smurfbird Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Take pics when it's done, Sal. Looking forward to seeing it w/ guard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRC Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Just casting my vote for a pick guard. I'm considering an LG-2AE as well, and would most likely add one. Yes, let's see some pics when you get it done! DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted August 15, 2014 Author Share Posted August 15, 2014 Ok... Whatcha think? I like it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanp33 Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 Ok... Whatcha think? I like it! I like it as well. It doesn't look naked anymore :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
music4love Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 I like it too. Looks great. Where did you get it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MorrisrownSal Posted August 15, 2014 Author Share Posted August 15, 2014 I like it too. Looks great. Where did you get it? Ebay... $23.99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.