JohnCovach Posted December 27, 2009 Posted December 27, 2009 To pickguard or not to pickguard, that is the question. And if you do pickguard, what color should the pickguard be? And do you prefer plastic or wood, bound or unbound, single or multiple ply? I'm getting ready to find some pickguards for my two 575's, my 576, and one of my 535's. I'll probably have a few of these made by Pickguardian but I'd really like to get black wooden ones with white (or cream) binding. I have the stock wooden ones that came with these guitars, but I'm not much of a fan of the kind that match the finish of the guitar. So if anybody has a pickguard out there--or a line on one--let me know. I already know I can get these from Heritage, and I also know that Jay Wolfe will refer you back to Heritage if you ask him about it.
Kuz Posted December 27, 2009 Posted December 27, 2009 To pickguard or not to pickguard, that is the question. And if you do pickguard, what color should the pickguard be? And do you prefer plastic or wood, bound or unbound, single or multiple ply? I'm getting ready to find some pickguards for my two 575's, my 576, and one of my 535's. I'll probably have a few of these made by Pickguardian but I'd really like to get black wooden ones with white (or cream) binding. I have the stock wooden ones that came with these guitars, but I'm not much of a fan of the kind that match the finish of the guitar. So if anybody has a pickguard out there--or a line on one--let me know. I already know I can get these from Heritage, and I also know that Jay Wolfe will refer you back to Heritage if you ask him about it. John, I have an unmounted trans-black wooden pickguard that I never mounted from my Custom 555 that I would be willing to sell at a reasonable price. Funny, I was just thinking about posting my pickguard in the marketplace this week. No pressure. Just let me know.
JohnCovach Posted December 28, 2009 Author Posted December 28, 2009 John, I have an unmounted trans-black wooden pickguard that I never mounted from my Custom 555 that I would be willing to sell at a reasonable price. Funny, I was just thinking about posting my pickguard in the marketplace this week. No pressure. Just let me know. Great. PM sent. Now on to the 575's and the 576 (which are the same size pickguard).
Spectrum13 Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Pickguarded Millie, worn off gold on the seth lovers
Spectrum13 Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Pickguarded Millie, worn off gold on the seth lovers Prospect
tbonesullivan Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 I like matching pickguards, bound, made of wood: Just LOVE it. so much class.
tulk1 Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Prospect Now THATS the stuff on Heritage FingerRests. Matching to the hilt. I asked for a matching scratchplate/fingerrest/pickguard (whew!!) on the custom Prospect. No idea if I'm going to get one or not. Would be just marvelous if it turned out matching as well as yours.
mark555 Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Personally speaking, I would either have a wooden one made to match the finish if my guitar, tbonesullivan's H535 shows exactly why, and my own 555 has a matching scratch plate. The other alternative is none at all. My playing style is such that i do not hammer the guitar even when playing rock or sixties music, why would any one want a lump of plastic on a wonderful guitar? Like those you mention? I have come to the conclusion that (dare I say this) the plastic scratch plate works well on SG's, PRS Mira's and tele's etc. But what you have is in a different league... Just my opinion.
Thundersteel Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 I hate pickguards. I've never understood why manufacturers cover up nature's beauty with a bunch of fugly plastic! There are some killer tops out there--why are they hidden?
mark555 Posted December 28, 2009 Posted December 28, 2009 Yup..... and do you know what If PRS were putting the tops on guitars that come out of Heritage, they would put $10,000 on the price and call them private stock... What a load of bollocks!
JohnCovach Posted December 31, 2009 Author Posted December 31, 2009 Just a reminder that I'm still cruising for 575 pickguards. Happy New Year!!
SouthpawGuy Posted January 4, 2010 Posted January 4, 2010 Heads up, there is a black one on Ebay at the moment ... http://cgi.ebay.com/Heritage-solid-wooden-...=item414beaca24
JohnCovach Posted January 4, 2010 Author Posted January 4, 2010 Thanks for the heads up--I wish it were a 575 guard, since I've already got my 535 guard. But for those who might be interested in the one on the bay right now, I did contact the seller to confirm that s/he's sure it's a 535 guard and this is confirmed. $100 is a good price.
Gitfiddler Posted January 4, 2010 Posted January 4, 2010 OK, generally on topic...I really like the pickguards on archtops like the Sweet 16. It's not as 'pointy' as some of the 535 guards, or as odd (to my view) as the standard 150's. To me, archtops look great with the right pickguard, and naked without one. It's all a matter of taste however. Now back to your regularly scheduled posts.
LH575 Posted January 4, 2010 Posted January 4, 2010 Hmmm, binding. I used to be a fan of binding until I saw some sloppy binding jobs (even on pickguards), now I'm not a fan at all. It's plastic, after all. Plastic ain't cool - wood is! Why remove wood and replace it with plastic? I know we're just talking pickguards, but still, simple is better in my humble opinion! Check out this 575. One of the best looking ones I've seen and I think I saw every one that was on the web when I was getting mine made! http://www.jtguitars.be/Aanbod/pictures/H575front.JPG Simple black Heritage-shaped pickguard. I have the same one on my 575. Pretty classy, I think.
LH575 Posted January 4, 2010 Posted January 4, 2010 http://www.jtguitars.be/Aanbod/pictures/H575body.JPG Here's another phoot. Pretty guitar.
hiro Posted January 4, 2010 Posted January 4, 2010 it depends on your preference. Mine is fender style -> needs a pick guard. They just look like they need one. Also some I heared some guitars brands use a pickguard to cover the neck pu hole / electronic hole, and if you want to expose the wood, they route out the from the back. But for Heritage, not really or if you must get one the matched ones are great. Mine came w/out a pick guard. I don't need one cuz I just use my hands to play. HOlding a pick cramps out my hand, and tenses my forearm . . . I could work on that but with fingers naturally free its just easier.
BrianToth Posted January 6, 2010 Posted January 6, 2010 My Sweet 16 came with the standard matching pickup. I had the ebony one done on my Prospect to match the ebony fingerboard.
blueox Posted January 6, 2010 Posted January 6, 2010 Each one of my guitars has to have a pickguard. I just feel more like playing, knowing that a stray pick will not gouge up the wonderful finish. Another option is the after-market clear clinging pickguard, if you want to see more of the finish.
FredZepp Posted January 6, 2010 Posted January 6, 2010 It's strange , but the arch is so pronounced on the Centurion, that there would be no way to pick ( or strum ) so that hitting the top would be an issue. Sorry , I don't have a pic that really shows the arch well..
morg21279 Posted January 6, 2010 Posted January 6, 2010 I come down firmly in the middle. Archtops with a guard, solid bodies without. No plastic for me. Like the matching woood or Ebony, and prefer the shape on my GE to the pointy ones.
jaywolfe Posted January 6, 2010 Posted January 6, 2010 Wood guards are beautiful & MUCH more costly to make than a stamped plastic one, especially when hand bound. There are some issues however. Players that use their guards plenty, like many Jazz players, will wear through the Lacquer rather quickly. The result is not so pretty. My solution has been to special order many archtops with a polished Ebony guard that wears quite well over time. If you have a lacquered guard & want to avoid the need to re-lacquer it periodically, simply get some clear laminate plastic, cut to shape, peel & stick & carry-on. If you don't wish to apply plastic, I can suggest you grab your "best" auto paste wax & apply several coats a few times per year to render some surface protection. This paste wax coating also works well on the thin gold plating on gold hardware. Kinda wish Heritage made only Ebony guards for wear resistance & the beauty & feel of wood......but its costly and those trees need some protection I hear, although this would not consume much wood in the long run. Happy New Year, Jay Wolfe
hiro Posted January 8, 2010 Posted January 8, 2010 +1 on the plastic lam guard over wooden pickguards My friend plays flamenco, they have a clear plastic tap guard, golpeador, that has a sticky side and can be placed even on fragile french polish and be pulled off without damaging it. It's awesome, and I'd use it on my (future) +$1000 classical g and flamenco g's.
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