Pulled the Pickguard off

[NBlair930]

I know this has been discussed before, but last night I pulled (OK, gently removed) the pickguard from my 2000 R7. I was motived by seeing ABB DVD and admiring Dickey's original GT w/o the pickguard. Then I got to looking at some photos of other LP players who ditched the p/g (Duane, P.Green, G.Moore) and decided to check it out. I think I like it. Not only the way if looks, but my hand rests in a diferent position which I find very comfortable.

 

[Chad]

I took the pickguard off of my 2000 R9 the day after I got it and don't plan on putting it back on. To me the pickguard really is all cons and no pros:

1. It covers up the beautiful flame and finish on my guitar.
2. Even if the finish and flame on my guitar weren't that great, I still don't like the looks of a pickguard.
3. It caused two holes to be put in my guitar that I wish weren't there.
4. It gets in the way of my picking style.
5. My picking style generally doesn't hit the finish especially on an R9 with the string "elevation". So the pickguard really serves no purpose, but to wear itself out. If I ever sell my guitar, I'll still have the pickguard in like new condition.

 

[RICH]

The downside- It will look like a PRS singlecut without it.:lol2 :lolspin

 

[Ritalin]

I always remove the pickguards from my LPs too. Like the way they look better with them off. Besides all the pick scratches I make happen on the low E side, not the high E side.

 

[DoobieK]

Ed A's Rules

Didn't Ed have a set of his own rules for pick guards and such on Les Pauls?

 

[Ed Rafalko]

No. But I did.
And still do.
No Pickguard? No Les Paul.

 

[plaintop]

I'm with Ed on this one ...sorry Noel....were still brothers :lol. Not only do I like the look but I rest my picking hand pinky between the front corner of the bridge PU ring and that part of the guard. Mine is well worn there. If you like it off...thats cool too.

 

[NBlair930]

Hey, Duane, Dickey, Peter, Gary did you guys hear that?..... Ed says you guys do not play Les Pauls. spin

 

[Ed Rafalko]

They know. It drove PG crazy when he realized it.

 

[DoobieK]

I knew it was an Ed

I thought it was one of the Eds. That was a pretty good list.

I've never been a guard fan but put one on my red guitar because small scratches were begining to show on the finish. The Burst's finish seems more durable, but for some reason I have been compelled to find a guard that fits and matches color for it.

 

[el84ster]

hey man I not only take off the guard..

I take off the switch ring as well! I hate plastic. Why would I want any part of this beautiful wood covered with plastic?? And I don't need the ring around the switch to tell me which PU I'm on (most of the time)

 

[Chad]

el84ster: Ya might as well ditch the pickup rings and control knobs while yer at it....possibly the binding too.

 

[Sean]

I dunno, my Goldtop looks better with it on, I think...

 

[blueswoman]

Pickguards

I've also taken the pickguard off my Les Pauls, except the Goldtop for some reason. My right hand feels more comfortable with it off. I think, for aesthetic reasons, the goldtop will keep the pickguard.

 

[Klif]

I've contemplated removing it from my Standard (for about a millisecond). :wink
Doesn't it just piss you off seeing the holes in your guitar once it's removed??? I guess they're not really all that big but I think it would still bother me. (anal, I know, I know)