CheapShoes Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I have an Epi Dot studio WN, and an Epi ebony 355 w/Bigsby. The 355 ebony came with a tortoise pickguard (uninstalled). I'm kind of thinking to install the guard on the natural Studio, and leave the blackie without a guard. How many of you prefer having a guard on a Dot? Is it necessary in the long run to preserve the top? If so, I'll install it on the ebony (a much more expensive guitar than the studio). On the fence. I like how the guitar looks without the guard, but the strings are up pretty far from the top without a raised guard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluemans335 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 All depends on your playing style. If you have a precise and controlled right hand, like I do, a pickguard isn't needed. If you treat guitars like percussion instruments, then you'll probably want to keep it on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eades Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 never a big fan of the pickguard on a 335 so bought one specifically without one so there was no screw holes but its a personal choice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluemans335 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 never a big fan of the pickguard on a 335 so bought one specifically without one so there was no screw holes but its a personal choice When I take the pickguard off, like to show more of a nice flame top, I put the screws back in the holes, which looks better than an empty hole, and it keeps you from losing the screws if you want to put the pickguard back on later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eades Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 When I take the pickguard off, like to show more of a nice flame top, I put the screws back in the holes, which looks better than an empty hole, and it keeps you from losing the screws if you want to put the pickguard back on later. this is true but mind never had a pickguard on it so there no holes and no screws Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CheapShoes Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 Yeah, the blacke isn't predrilled - though the holes would be pretty small and inconspicuous when drilled. I play with two small fingers down on top as a habit developed from banjo, and lends to precise picking,though I hit the strings pretty hard. Downside is it is not as easy to reach high strings as if I just rested my palm on top with fingers curled underneath. The guard is kind of the opposite - raises the floor too high - or so I noticed on me Gretsch. I think a guard will make the Studio look more grown up, but might just distract from the ebony beauty. Looks like most old Gibby rockers leave the guard on... but I suppose were finished in thin Nitro too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 All I can say is that I have two Dots and four archtop hollows. All but one have the pickguards and I like them for what I'm doing now. I feel I was pretty stupid in removing the pick guard back in the 70s from the oldest archtop - from the '50s - because heaven knows where it went after a dozen moves or so. I also tend to plant my pinkie on the guard and 99 percent of my picking currently is thumb and three fingers more or less "classical" style. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluesidae Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 I removed the pickguard off of my Korean Dot. Put it back after a few weeks. I liked the look, but the feel just wasn't right. To each their own! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old mark Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 I have 2 Dots and a Casino. One of the Dots has the PG still on, the other guitars do not. I just like the look of them that way. The one that still wears its PG is a 2002 MIK, all black Dot. mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chorkiuleung Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 do you have pickguard with neol gallagher? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 I just took a close look at the pick guards on both the Dot and the Riv, the Dot has pick streaks all over it so I guess that one should stay as I have been getting pretty aggressive with it. The Riv doesn't have a mark on it, but I do tend to play that one more with my fingers and even when I do use a pick I have been playing more of an early 60s Pop and British Invasion type style with it. -Harry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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