Roswell Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 I've seen in many of you guys' pictures you've chosen to remove the pickguard off your guitars (some or all of 'em). Any particular reason why besides aesthetics? I've been contemplating removing the one on my Dot since it seems somewhat fragile given that it's not flat and it makes it very obvious if there's dust on the guitar, but at the same time I like the finish :D Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 My thoughts are: This question comes up about every 3 months or so. I like the pg on because I like to rest my pinky finger on it. So I don't even think about it coming off. I think you should do what YOU want to do and not worry about what others think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roswell Posted August 6, 2008 Author Share Posted August 6, 2008 I don't really care either way, hence the reason I asked to see why others did it. I don't rest my pinky (used to do rhythm solely and it's just not comfortable for me), so for me it's really a matter of preventing scratching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubstar Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 I took it off the casino because it was creating something like static electricity; I prefer the look without. I did the same with the Joe Pass because it was old and warped...and ended up liking how it looks better. I left it on the ebony LP elitist and I too tend to rest my finger on it. Whatever you do, don't ask matiac this question : ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roswell Posted August 6, 2008 Author Share Posted August 6, 2008 I've always thought hollowbodies/semihollows looked better with the pickguard off. Maybe it's just me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ef_in_fla Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 I think it looks better off, plus it gives me more room to anchor my pinky against the pickup ring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recycled Rocker Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Hi Roswell, I only took mine off the Studio as it looked better and it was mounted a bit flimsley though. I was giving it a clean and took it off for that and thought to myself "HHMM that looks better" so off it stays.......:D/ Cheers RR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roswell Posted August 6, 2008 Author Share Posted August 6, 2008 It's just a matter of unscrewing it, no? And I've always thought that it's a bit flimsy as it isn't directly attached to the guitar -- I'll take it off tomorrow, and if I dislike it I'll just put it back on :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recycled Rocker Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 It's just a matter of unscrewing it' date=' no? :D[/quote'] Yes and would probably look better with the screws back in, but you can tell that. Cheers RR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roswell Posted August 6, 2008 Author Share Posted August 6, 2008 Yea, I'll put them back in if I like the look with it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 I take mine on and off of the Casino (though not as regularly as Matiac...)... it depends. I feel like it sounds better without, but it's most likely just me being crazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookieman15061 Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 I took mine off my natural Casino just to give it that Lennon vibe but left it on my sunburst w/ bigs because well...it just seems right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricochet Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 I usually play with my hand in a fixed position resting on the bridge. The times I don't, I don't even come near the PG so aside from aestetics it's not really functional. I removed all PGs from my LPs. On an archtop I'd probably leave it on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aubie923 Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Les Pauls just look better without them. (IMHO) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matiac Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Don't even get me going on pickguards... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notes_Norton Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 It appears I may be in the minority here, but I think most guitars look better with the pickguard left on. (The main exception being nylon string classical guitars.) Plus, remember, the Brits call them "scratch guards" and that is exactly what they do, they keep the pick from scratching the finish on your guitar. I'm not fond of the white Epi PG on the NAT Casino guitars, and traded mine for a black one. I can go either way with the Cherry Casino. Here are the overly-posted pictures (I really need to take some new ones): BEFORE: AFTER: On the SG/G400 I prefer the smaller PG because the big one hides too much of the wood (again, personal tastes). Insights and incites by Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpdeluxe Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 1. I don't need them. My playing has evolved from playing guitar, Dobro, pedal steel and bass, and I don't anchor my right hand. It limits tonal variety. The only guitar I own that has ever been scratched because it didn't have a pickguard was damaged by a friend who anchored his hand on the top where the pickguard would have been. 2. They are ugly, and Epiphone archtop pickguards especially so. I might be tempted if my Sheraton II had a creme LP-style pickguard...but I took the pickguard off my Gibson Les Paul too, so probably not. 3. They make the guitar look asymmetrical. I realize that beauty's in the eye of the beholder, but to me, the double-cutaway looks lopsided with a pickguard. The alternative is to add a bass-side pickguard, as Bonnie Raitt did on her jumbo Guild acoustic, and Steve Howe did on his ES Artisan Gibsons, but, since I believe it's unnecessary to have one, surely it's twice as unnecessary to have two. 4. Simplicity is always superior to the ornate. My credo, you're not required to agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeymetro Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 I think the pickguard is just a cheap piece of plastic. I would like one that was clear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lpdeluxe Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 I think the pickguard is just a cheap piece of plastic.I would like one that was clear. Both my flat tops have thin, clear pickguards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roswell Posted August 7, 2008 Author Share Posted August 7, 2008 I'll do this in a bit. Maybe post a before/after pic for kicks :- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwl325 Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Aesthetics mostly I guess. I took mine off my first Casino, an MIK Dark Cherry. I just thought the bright white p/g was too much against the dark finish, and it bugged me. I left it on my 1965 Refurb, took it off my MIC Natural, The Beatles vibe thing. Sonically, I don't think it matters all that much. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roswell Posted August 7, 2008 Author Share Posted August 7, 2008 Upon further consideration, I may not, as it looks like there are some scratches on the pickguard, and the idea of them being on the finish frightens me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roswell Posted August 7, 2008 Author Share Posted August 7, 2008 ...I swear to god I'm nuts. It seems like it sounds brighter with the pickguard off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roswell Posted August 7, 2008 Author Share Posted August 7, 2008 Before: After: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheX Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 The pickguard on the dot is butt ugly, kill it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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