Would You Buy A Guitar Without A Pickguard?

[blueox]

Being of the old school and one who plays guitars rather than just displays them, I would not buy a guitar without an installed pickguard. It used to be that every guitar had a pickguard. I'm not sure who first started producing guitars without pickguards (Carvin? PRS?), but over the years many guitars are now offered without them, including Heritage with their H-110, H-137, H-140, H-155, H-170, and H-525. On the one hand, it's nice to see more wood, as the tops have become more showy, but on the other hand, does one want that AAA top sliced up doing the Bo Diddley rhythm? I would rather have a pickguard take the beating. There is a company that produces clear pickguards that cling to the guitar body, so with that solution, it seems that maybe an H-110 could be in my future after all. But otherwise would YOU buy a guitar without an installed pickguard?

[Mikenov]

The H150 I just traded didn't have a pickguard and DID have probably the best top I owned. I never had a problem but then again I don't do the crazy picking attack thing much. I'm a lefty and my picking hand is my weak point. (play righty)

[tulk1]

Yeah, I'd buy a guitar without a pickguard. In fact, I have two Heritages that way - the Millie SAE and the Millie NFH. The NFH was a custom order, and they wouldn't even consider a pickguard for it, mounted or unmounted. My PRS has no pg; the Stambaugh doesn't have one. I guess it's a bit of what Mike was saying - your picking style would have tons to do with whether you need one or not. And ... the guitar design will have that influence, as well. The steeper the carve, the less prone one would be to slicing the top? Maybe?

[111518]

I never had a problem but then again I don't do the crazy picking attack thing much.

 

Yup, I'm sort of in the same camp. I'd be reluctant to buy an steel string acoustic without a pickguard, or a flat-topped solid body, because I do see evidence on those guards that my pick does hit the top --even though I'm not aware of it. I don't think damage from the pick is an issue for me on carved-top electrics.

 

For years I played with my little finger resting lightly on the top as a reference point, and I sometimes had trouble when it became fashionable to play LP's without guards, just because it put my hand in the wrong position. Now, I mostly float my wrist, or rest my heel lightly on the lower strings, so that's not an issue. So, it's mostly a matter of the look ... I like LP's without guards, but to me es-style guitars without guards look like something is missing. Similarly, archtops look more "complete" with some sort of guard or finger rest. I think for me it has to do with the relative size of pickguard and body, but it's just a matter of taste, not function.

[barrymclark]

You guys must pick awfully hard! My pick doesn't come anywhere near hitting the body. There might be some wear from the side of my hand occassionaly hitting the body... but other than that, nothing.

[Gitfiddler]

Clear Saranwrap(sp?) can easily cover a naked top to protect the finish.

[tulk1]

You guys must pick awfully hard! My pick doesn't come anywhere near hitting the body. There might be some wear from the side of my hand occassionaly hitting the body... but other than that, nothing.

 

Bet you do, bet you do! Even when I've been very, very careful the surface still gets some light pick scratches. I think it's the nature of the beast. And seems the nitro shows it just a tad bit better.

[JeffB]

Im a hack and play quite percussively. The guitar is a drum, I hit it. I always want to be a smoother player and lightly caress the strings and pull out smooth flowing lines....but I cant, its not in me. The hats and snare dictate and Ive got to go with them.

I tried my H150 without a pickguard for a little while but put it back on.

My PRS is black so im not so worried about its appearance and its finish is a bit tougher than the H150's. But it still has some nice wear marks.

I think pick guards were designed for ham fisted players like me.

[Bluzman54]

I have owned 3 Heritages and various other guitars without pickguards. My thought shave been...."If the top has beautiful wood, why would I cover it with a pickguard?"

 

JMHO

 

Jim C

[GuitArtMan]

I've owned and own lots of guitars without pickguard - no worries from me.

[FredZepp]

I've got guitars with and without .... I would think that arched top ones would have less of a chance of scratches. I don't really play much of The Who/Townshend tunes anymore, so that helps. It is nice to let the flames show....

 

This reminds me of a metal guitar pick that I had long ago.. and it seemed to me that the more that you played with this pick, the sharper it got. It may have just been in my mind, but I did question what that thing could do to a classic guitars top....

 

[pro-fusion]

Over the years, I would say at least half of my guitars haven't had a pickguard, and it hasn't made any difference to me. But I've never been heavy-handed with the picking attack. And if my guitar gets some pick scratches, well, they're meant to be played. If a beautiful top is covered up by a piece of plastic, who really cares if it's still in good shape?

[mark555]

I have no problem buying a guitar without a scratch plate and like many I think that a lump of plastic can spoil the guitar, particularly a les paul or H150 style. Of late I have also come to think that plastic binding up the fretboard might perhaps be better not being there, after all, you would just have more wood. PRS don;t use binding and their guitars can be stunning to look at and play.

[Kuz]

Would I buy a guitar I actually play without out a pickguard/finger rest? Well.....

 

[Kuz]

You guys must pick awfully hard! My pick doesn't come anywhere near hitting the body. There might be some wear from the side of my hand occassionaly hitting the body... but other than that, nothing.

 

 

+1 Same experience. No pick scratches on my guitars. I even had an acoustic without a PG and even with heavy strumming, no scratches.

[Thundersteel]

Painted wood = pickguard. Naked wood = no pickguard.

 

'Nuff said!

[Kuz]

Painted wood = pickguard. Naked wood = no pickguard.

 

'Nuff said!

 

Yep, I'd agree with that!!!!

 

[JeffB]

@Kuz,

Mate...Youve got some great guitars.....sigh...

[Kuz]

@Kuz,

Mate...Youve got some great guitars.....sigh...

 

Thanks, it collection that has been weeded and tweaked over many years, but I feel very fortunate to have them. I was telling Yoslate the other day that after my Ron Kirn Tele comes in, I really don't expect to buy another guitar. All tonal bases are covered.

Thanks again,

 

Kuz

[smurph1]

To me, it all depends on the instrument..My 140 looks fine with a creme pickguard..But some of those semi hollows look beautiful without the pick guard..So I say, Viva La Difference!

[tbonesullivan]

I have 8 guitars currently... looking to downsize to 6. Of these, 1 has a pickguard, and two have scratchplates (which most people just call pickguards). all of the rest have no pickguard. My acoustic does. none of my basses do.

 

with my playing style, a pickguard is somewhat unnecessary.

[pressure]

If you play a Johnny Smith through an amp, a pick guard is pretty important.

[Gitfiddler]

If you play a Johnny Smith through an amp, a pick guard is pretty important.

 

 

Good one!!

[DCA]

Without a pick guard? Sure, I have several. From an aesthetic point of view, I pefer the look of wood to plastic...especially plastic that's covering sloppy routing slots.

 

Without a finger rest? That depends upon the guitar, but my pinky seems to be a firm believer in those guitars that do furnish a rest. Ten times out of ten I'll take the guitar with the rest.