Pick guard - or no pick guard?

[Shetland Jonny]

This has probably been discussed to bits, but I’m new to this and the Les Paul scene, so indulge me:

I bought a new 2004 Standard, Heritage Cherry Sunburst in 2005 – with no pick guard. At the time I remember thinking that I didn’t want my lovely figured maple covered with a horrible big bit of plastic (I know, I was young and ignorant in the ways of the LPs)..

However, having played a Les Paul with a pick guard, I now see why people like them. It feels more comfortable when resting your fingers while doing fast picking or fast scale work, and the obvious advantage that it can be replaced and it protects heavy-handed thrashers from digging their way through their maple. Also, having gone through the forum users photos, the pick guard is growing on me in terms of aesthetics.

“Me thinks me likes it better than my pick guard-less LP”.

So what should I do? I would like a pick guard, but is it worth the two holes I’m going to have to drill in my baby?

Also, does any one have a schematic showing where the fixing bracket should be mounted and how high it should be mounted? (should I decide on fitting it)

Thank you all for any input/advice

Jonny

 

[Whiskeytown]

Personally, I can't stand pickguards on Les Pauls. Aestheically or feel wise. The Les Paul has such a beautiful womanly shape and then they put that hunk of plastic on there that throws off the symmetry. Leave it off.

 

[Angry Steve]

and the debate continues...

I was restringing and thouroughly cleaning my Custom yesterday. Took the pickguard off. Played it... stared at it... asked the wife what she thought, and then put it back on.

Also have a Special in TV burst - took the pg off to expose the 'burst'... and after a year put it back on.

I just think LP's look better WITH the pickguard.

Then again, take my opinion and add 10 cents to it, and you will have 10 cents.

If you take it off, you can always put it back on.

 

[Ad_02Std]

It's all personal taste. I prefer them off; for looks yes, but mostly I find they get in my way a little and I can never get comfortable with them.

It's entirely up to you.

 

[vanDavid]

It never occurred to me to take the pick guard off my TV Yellow Special. I've taken the pick guards off of every other LP I've owned.
Angry Steve, got any pictures that you're willing to share?

and the debate continues...

I was restringing and thouroughly cleaning my Custom yesterday. Took the pickguard off. Played it... stared at it... asked the wife what she thought, and then put it back on.

Also have a Special in TV burst - took the pg off to expose the 'burst'... and after a year put it back on.

I just think LP's look better WITH the pickguard.

Then again, take my opinion and add 10 cents to it, and you will have 10 cents.

If you take it off, you can always put it back on.

 

[dcooper830]

I like them with the pickguard ON. It just looks incomplete without it.

 

[Edward]

Aesthetics is always a personal question ...I think you have already decided that you prefer the look w/o it. But if having a pg makes you play better, then there is your answer!

BTW, like you, I have a flame top that I love and did not want to hide with "ugly plastic." I found a clear pickguard made by a forum member here. And it mounts with no screws, to boot ...a super clean installation and look, IMHO!! I have had mine on for years (and yes, my Standard gets played out), and it remains rock-solid ...not to mention beautiful! And Bobby is a super nice guy to deal with. Here's an old link that may give you something to think about:

http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123234&highlight=Screwless+pickguard

Edward

 

[Angry Steve]

It never occurred to me to take the pick guard off my TV Yellow Special. I've taken the pick guards off of every other LP I've owned.
Angry Steve, got any pictures that you're willing to share?

sure... let me get to the home computer, where I can get the picture to you...

 

[DMB70]

I like em on!

 

[Gold Tone]

That rocket tail fin is a design following the 50's love for space.....much the same as the tail fins on those great olf 50's cars.

It's a classic look and a functional part of every guitar until more recently.

I've never met a classic rock, blues, country, jazz, etc, etc player whoe has removed the guard on their Lester. It's far more a trend with rock players, shred, metal, and other genres of heavy music.

I like the guard on the traditional Les Pauls, it looks out of place on more modern versions of the Les Paul (for example the Boneyard). So, like anything, it is such a personal preference.

 

[MRG]

... asked the wife what she thought, and then put it back on.

Sage words indeed!

 

[labeau]

LOL. Next time I see someone pull out a lester without a PG on it, I will immediately assume they are going to play some genre of "heavy' music.

 

[Ad_02Std]

That rocket tail fin is a design following the 50's love for space.....much the same as the tail fins on those great olf 50's cars.

It's a classic look and a functional part of every guitar until more recently.

I've never met a classic rock, blues, country, jazz, etc, etc player whoe has removed the guard on their Lester. It's far more a trend with rock players, shred, metal, and other genres of heavy music.

I like the guard on the traditional Les Pauls, it looks out of place on more modern versions of the Les Paul (for example the Boneyard). So, like anything, it is such a personal preference.

I always associate the no pickguard look with Paul Kossoff, Mick Ronson, Peter Green, Duane Allman, Snowy White. Hardly a bunch of heavy metallers.

 

[mistersnappy]

How it feels is obviously subjective: I would say try it both ways. If you have to drill the holes yourself, I'm not sure how that would affect the value as opposed to factory-drilled. :hmm

Anyway, I've never used a guard and use the edge of the bridge pup ring to help anchor my picking hand. Now, I do alot of hybrid picking and hardly use a pick much anymore so that may factor in? There are so many variables. Knopfler keeps his on with his Burst and reissues and he never uses a pick, as you may know.

One thing: I've worn a nice divot/bare wood area by that pup ring which doesn't bother me but it may bother you! :2cool

 

[dgood]

I think Les Pauls that have wood grain or flame showing look better without a pick guard. I think a pick guard looks good on goldtops, or on any other painted LP. I love the Peter Green, Duane Allman Les Paul look.

 

[Gold Tone]

I always associate the no pickguard look with Paul Kossoff, Mick Ronson, Peter Green, Duane Allman, Snowy White. Hardly a bunch of heavy metallers.

Whew!!! MAN did I miss a chunk of classic rockers!!! You are so right, I guess in my head I see Page, Clapton, Beck, Richards, Reverend Billy G, and all the old guys from Les Paul to Freddie King.....and endless list really. Those other wild and crazy guys just didn't come to mind....definitley NOT the norm then even with that handful of great examples!

Yep - you are right, a lot of naked Lester lover's out there!

 

[macdog]

Pickguard on - the way they were designed.

 

[Don]

I like them both ways.

My Gary Moore Signature LP doesn't have binding or pickup covers. It looks like Gibson's response to Hamer. It looks much better without a pickguard.

If it had binding and pickup covers, I think I'd prefer it with a pickguard.

It's similar of like asking how you like your hotrod- fenders/no fenders, hood/no hood...

 

[MrBurst]

That rocket tail fin is a design following the 50's love for space.....much the same as the tail fins on those great olf 50's cars.

It's a classic look and a functional part of every guitar until more recently.

I've never met a classic rock, blues, country, jazz, etc, etc player whoe has removed the guard on their Lester. It's far more a trend with rock players, shred, metal, and other genres of heavy music.

I like the guard on the traditional Les Pauls, it looks out of place on more modern versions of the Les Paul (for example the Boneyard). So, like anything, it is such a personal preference.

Paul Kossof,Peter Green,Peter Frampton,Dickey Betts,Duane Allman,Warren Haynes....big time hard rock shredders there.
I always took them off in the past. But kept mine on for 4 years on my R9, I just took it off a month ago and really like it off
right now. I like how it really shows off the top carve and flame. Most of my favorite players took them off.

 

[Gold Tone]

Paul Kossof,Peter Green,Peter Frampton,Dickey Betts,Duane Allman,Warren Haynes....big time hard rock shredders there.
I always took them off in the past. But kept mine on for 4 years on my R9, I just took it off a month ago and really like it off
right now. I like how it really shows off the top carve and flame. Most of my favorite players took them off.
Best thing is get 2 Les Paul's one with and one without.

Sage advice

Taken very literally, but of course, its all over the place. In general it is most definitely a more modern trend than it had been....sign of the musical shred punk times I guess. I find that all the kids at the rehearsal space are really eager to pull the guards, where most others don't even think of it as anything but part of the guitar and what reason would there be to start dismanteling it. All from where you look at it for sure.

Getting old and loving those memories of why I fell in love with the finest of electric guitars as a teen in the 70's! It always looked "right"