Pick guard Vs. Rear Route for Strat style

[mod13]

I have decided to build a Strat, or "Strat style" guitar, but I need a little feedback before I start.

These flamed and quilted tops are BEAUTIFUL, and I really don't want to cover up the wood with a pickguard. I am contemplating a rear routed H/S/H Strat, Flamed maple top with a Cherry burst and gold hardware (very non-traditional). Or the same with the regular routing and a nice white pearloid pickguard (still quite non-traditional).

But can a "Strat" be a "Strat" without a pickguard???

I know everybody sees a different shade of blue when they look at the ocean, but I would like to hear your opinions.

Thanks a lot
Mike

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: Pick guard Vs. Rear Route for Strat style

i tend to like strats with pickguards...also it gives you a way to give the guitar a fresh look if you get bored of the look down the road. say you start with your white guard on it...three months from now if you want to spice it up you can change it to mirror or black or pearloid someting else just to give the guitar a new fresh style. that's my thought on strats in general. i'm not against no guards on them, just never saw one i liked as much as one in the "right" color with the "right" guard if you know what i mean.

-Mike

 

[mod13]

Re: Pick guard Vs. Rear Route for Strat style

JohnJohn, I live out in Napanee, it was actually in Kingston Sound Works me and my Bro tried out a Vox AD30, I have in another thread, about 3 weeks ago.

I am kind of new a guitar building (about a year), been buying stock parts and basically slapping them together, but I think I want to step up, but not spend a million bucks on wood. Anyways, I was just wondering where a guy can get decent peice of Maple or similar around here???

Thanks a lot
Mike