Elmer Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Well, title and topic description say's it all. is it a shame to remove the pickguard? I want to see the guitar not a plastic plate... The only things that can happen are scratches on the guitar ofcourse. I never play with a plectrum so scratches are more rare and I dont care if my guitar looks used. I play with it, it has to work! I want it mint when I buy it and I will always be carefull not to bump it against the cellars ceiling. But if minor scratches and little sympathetic changes in colour happen because of my play style, it is named character build. I don't buy a guitar as investment, but as an instrument I use everyday. Am I swearing now or are there more people who don't like the pickguard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvillRob Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I don't think removing the pickguard is a sin..... if you like the way it looks and sounds W/O.... go for it! (besides, you bein' Elmer and all....you can always glue it back on!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morkolo Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I think it depends on the look of the guitar, to me some look better with it on and some look better with it off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyMoon Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 The pick guard looks good, however, obviously on the SG it stays lol but my les Paul I removed it because of the style of music , strumming and picking and overall playing style I do. I found it more comfortable with it off....all in all it comes down to personal taste and style I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AXE® Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 3 without. 4 with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChanMan Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Depends on the guitar, for me. But if you do your research, you can probably find a thread where someone swears they add tone (or suck tone). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diskotekno Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I say go the Barry Gibb route and put a pick guard on both sides to add symmetry to the guitar.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyMoon Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I say go the Barry Gibb route and put a pick guard on both sides to add symmetry to the guitar.... I heard it will improve tone. ...and improve your Townshend windmills! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krock Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I say go the Barry Gibb route and put a pick guard on both sides to add symmetry to the guitar.... Found this vid of it. Looks strange Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 LPs without pickguards = much better tone. Just ask Slash. (In all seriousness, I remove them because I too think the guitar looks better without) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notes_Norton Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I like most guitars better with the pickguard on, but I can't see any reason why you can't take it off if you like it better that way. My Parker didn't come with a pickguard and that doesn't bother me, but I'd never take the guard off my Gibson ES-330 or my Epi Casino. But it's just a matter of taste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmer Posted February 26, 2012 Author Share Posted February 26, 2012 certainly some peeps think it is a shame to remove it...received a minus 2...gheghe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stein Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 certainly some peeps think it is a shame to remove it...received a minus 2...gheghe Yea, I don't get that. I fail to see any reasoning for the minuses. Different guitar benefit more or less from having a pickgaurd or not having one, but the principle is the same in that it is a matter of choice and taste. What kind of guitar is it anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 certainly some peeps think it is a shame to remove it...received a minus 2...gheghe I plussed you one to counteract! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 It's not a shame to remove it but it is a shame there's a hole left when you do. That bugs me more than the scratchplate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Yeah I prefer the look with no scratch plate too.. the only one I have that still has one is the 60s Goldtop Tribute... But like on this guitar I spotted on ebay, why would you want to cover that up :) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/gibson-les-paul-standard-AMAZING-CUSTOM-FLAME-TOP-/200713714886?_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D3%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D6609899897396999876 And on my 2008 Standard (which may not be mine much longer :( ) The whole reason I got it wss for that finish.. No way I wanna cover that up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmer Posted February 26, 2012 Author Share Posted February 26, 2012 I removed the one on my ES-335 (not real gibson but a good imitation => Aria) and I am planning to remove the one on my Es-175 (Gibson) aswell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vega1 Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 As far as looks go, I think for me it depends on the finish on the guitar. I kind of like the look of the pick guard on guitars with a finish where you can't see the wood grain, like a gold top or a solid finish like black. But if you can see the wood, like on the wine studio above or on a burst... no pick guard looks alot better to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazerface Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 My black epi lp custom has no pickguard, my 60s tribute goldtop does. My buddy removes both the pickguard and the plastic ring around the toggle switch on all his lps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmer Posted February 26, 2012 Author Share Posted February 26, 2012 It's not a shame to remove it but it is a shame there's a hole left when you do. That bugs me more than the scratchplate. Yep, true, the hole is pity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazerface Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 The new lp traditionals come without the pickguard installed! When i remove a pickguard though i put the screws back in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich W Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 The pick guard looks good, however, obviously on the SG it stays You won't like the new Derek Trucks signature SG then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich W Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 I took mine off ... I'm a finger player, and I like look of the wood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 Biggest mistake I ever made was taking off the pickguard on my 1950s Harmony jazz guitar that wasn't - and isn't - all that bad a guitar at all. Especially if you're not using a flatpick (plectrum), you may think you don't "need" the pickguard, and you may not, but you'd be surprised at how much the pickguard offers a physical "center" for your right hand. So... all my others, electric or acoustic, have a pickguard - not counting the old Ovation AE boxes. You might consider that Flamenco guitars traditionally have guards both above and below the soundhole. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flem snopes Posted February 27, 2012 Share Posted February 27, 2012 The perils of playing without a pickguard... But Willie could afford to get it fixed if he wanted to! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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