Do pick guards matter what's your thoughts
- Thread starter Godin15
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Kamanda~SD
New member
Re: Do pick guards matter what's your thoughts
Go look at the charvel thread here! Many of those are 20+ y/o with no pickguard. It's fine
I
Go look at the charvel thread here! Many of those are 20+ y/o with no pickguard. It's fine
I
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Do pick guards matter what's your thoughts
Matter? For what exactly?
Matter? For what exactly?
BriGuy1968
New member
Re: Do pick guards matter what's your thoughts
I have had exactly zero guitars with pick guards... never had a problem.
On the other hand, they can be very aesthetically pleasing on some guitars.
Bottom line:
- It doesn't matter for performance
- It MIGHT matter for aesthetics, depending on what you like.
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I have had exactly zero guitars with pick guards... never had a problem.
On the other hand, they can be very aesthetically pleasing on some guitars.
Bottom line:
- It doesn't matter for performance
- It MIGHT matter for aesthetics, depending on what you like.
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L
Little Pigbacon
Guest
Re: Do pick guards matter what's your thoughts
Are you afraid it's going to look like that acoustic of Willie Nelson's in twenty years?
It won't.
Are you afraid it's going to look like that acoustic of Willie Nelson's in twenty years?
It won't.
St_Genesius
New member
Re: Do pick guards matter what's your thoughts
Those multi-ply pickguards are total tone killers. It's just science: as the vibrations attempt to travel through the material, the density variation between the striated colors causes a loss of energy, thus resulting in less tone. I'd say you could get a way with a single layer and only lose, like, 5 tone, but by the time you hit a BWB, WBW, or even thicker? It's an exponential decrease in tone. Like -100 or more from where you started.
Those multi-ply pickguards are total tone killers. It's just science: as the vibrations attempt to travel through the material, the density variation between the striated colors causes a loss of energy, thus resulting in less tone. I'd say you could get a way with a single layer and only lose, like, 5 tone, but by the time you hit a BWB, WBW, or even thicker? It's an exponential decrease in tone. Like -100 or more from where you started.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Do pick guards matter what's your thoughts
Depends on your playing style. I have a very controlled right hand and don't scratch up my guitars. Other guys beat on theirs like cave men, and for them, pick guards serve more than an aesthetic purpose.
Depends on your playing style. I have a very controlled right hand and don't scratch up my guitars. Other guys beat on theirs like cave men, and for them, pick guards serve more than an aesthetic purpose.
astrozombie
KatyPerryologist
Re: Do pick guards matter what's your thoughts
I take it off of my Les Paul from time to time. Then I put it back on. It's a feel thing. It doesn't bother me if the top gets scratched up. I'm playing it and to me it's more than a decoration.
I take it off of my Les Paul from time to time. Then I put it back on. It's a feel thing. It doesn't bother me if the top gets scratched up. I'm playing it and to me it's more than a decoration.
DarkMatter
Unprofessional Toneologist
Re: Do pick guards matter what's your thoughts
A guitar that is in perfect condition is an unnatural thing.
A guitar that is in perfect condition is an unnatural thing.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Do pick guards matter what's your thoughts
I like them on some guitars for looks, like SGs or solid color LPs. Functionally, I like how guitars look when they're worn out from playing them.
I like them on some guitars for looks, like SGs or solid color LPs. Functionally, I like how guitars look when they're worn out from playing them.
Godin15
New member
Re: Do pick guards matter what's your thoughts
That guitar looks rough doesn't it? can't say it hasn't been well played.
That guitar looks rough doesn't it? can't say it hasn't been well played.
Re: Do pick guards matter what's your thoughts
IMO, pickguards are mostly for aesthetics and /or amethod for mounting pickups. (pickguard, rings or direct) As said previously, if your strumming style is where you jab at the guitar, you may get some wear without one, but otherwise, its going to be visual. Most of my guitars dont have them. I prefer the look without.
IMO, pickguards are mostly for aesthetics and /or amethod for mounting pickups. (pickguard, rings or direct) As said previously, if your strumming style is where you jab at the guitar, you may get some wear without one, but otherwise, its going to be visual. Most of my guitars dont have them. I prefer the look without.
Re: Do pick guards matter what's your thoughts
But its not only your pick that hits the guitar......in fact I'd say in 99.9% of cases its your finger (nails) as they anchor onto the guitar top that is doing the damage.
Just look at the Greeny/Moore burst. All that wear under the bridge pickup is due to fingers......and would have been prevented by a pickguard - which is now without question proved to be more than anything just aesthetic.
But its not only your pick that hits the guitar......in fact I'd say in 99.9% of cases its your finger (nails) as they anchor onto the guitar top that is doing the damage.
Just look at the Greeny/Moore burst. All that wear under the bridge pickup is due to fingers......and would have been prevented by a pickguard - which is now without question proved to be more than anything just aesthetic.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
BriGuy1968
New member
Re: Do pick guards matter what's your thoughts
Sinner... [emoji6]
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Sinner... [emoji6]
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Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Do pick guards matter what's your thoughts
If you find yourself digging into the guitar when you pick, then you may want one to save the paint. I personally have never needed one (Jazz III's don't lend well to digging in), but I do like to aesthetic on all guitars, whether Gibson or Fender styles.
If you find yourself digging into the guitar when you pick, then you may want one to save the paint. I personally have never needed one (Jazz III's don't lend well to digging in), but I do like to aesthetic on all guitars, whether Gibson or Fender styles.
