Pickguards on the 800s and 900s

[joshi]

Just curious if people have found the rosewood pickguards on the 800 and 900 guitars to be durable.  I don't know if those are there just for aesthetics or if they provide something that the plastic ones don't.

Also, I notice some of the 900s don't come with a pickguard but you can add a clear one. If you want to add a pickguard, do you order them from the factory that way or do they put it on at the guitar store?  (I'm sure not applying one myself).  I had another guitar once that lacked a pickguard and hated it. It gave me a mental block I couldn't transcend about scratching the wood when aggressively strumming.

[Frettingflyer]

While I wish I had removed mine from my 812ce for aesthetics it does seem to be beefier than a normal pick guard. I don’t scratch the top when I strum and prefer the look without but don’t want the shadow now...
Any luthier can apply a pick guard for you but you can order from the factory with or without as well.

[zeebow]

900, koa, builder edition, and presentation series don’t come with pickguards, although as mentioned above, you can order with a clear pickgaurd if you want

[Marco Polo]

I wish my 816ce had no pickguard.  I love the silking in the spruce guitar tops.

Unfortunately, after 5 years, it's also too late to remove mine.

[joshi]

Are the clear pickguards these things? These look kind of cheap... hope they actually will stay on the guitar and an end won't eventually peel up or something like that.

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/taylor-universal-reusable-acoustic-pickguard/360398000156000?cntry=us&source=3WWRWXGP&gclid=CjwKCAjwspHaBRBFEiwA0eM3kbFSsObb9g7ABzSXQOojtRiSM2Mnjf-Q_Hse0r9-Eg-oKmeM_d9j8BoCz8sQAvD_BwE&kwid=productads-adid^221957295818-device^c-plaid^323968377343-sku^360398000156000@ADL4MF-adType^PLA

As for the rosewood pickguards, it sounds like they are pretty thick and are scratch resistant. Thought I read somewhere that someone saw one that ended up cracked, but hope that isn't an issue.

[RileyKendall]

My new 916ce has no pick guard.  I use to like the look of a pick guard.  Now that all my guitars do not have one, the plain look is more appealing. 

[joshi]

If you look at the bottom of the Taylor page in the options, it says that a clear pickguard is a no-cost option.

For example:
https://www.taylorguitars.com/guitars/acoustic/914ce#options

[tnfiddler]

I have a pickguard on my 810 and the hard clear pickguard on my W10ce. I prefer the clear ones.

[TaylorGirl]

Are the clear pickguards these things? These look kind of cheap... hope they actually will stay on the guitar and an end won't eventually peel up or something like that.

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/taylor-universal-reusable-acoustic-pickguard/360398000156000?cntry=us&source=3WWRWXGP&gclid=CjwKCAjwspHaBRBFEiwA0eM3kbFSsObb9g7ABzSXQOojtRiSM2Mnjf-Q_Hse0r9-Eg-oKmeM_d9j8BoCz8sQAvD_BwE&kwid=productads-adid^221957295818-device^c-plaid^323968377343-sku^360398000156000@ADL4MF-adType^PLA

Those are the static cling PG's that you can use on gloss top Taylor's. I got one from Taylor, used it once and decided it really was a hassle and I just don't need PG's with my fingerpicking. You remove them each time after playing. There are also permanent, hard, clear PG's that you apply to the guitar. The clear, permanent PG's are used by players who want/need a PG, but don't want the looks of a PG. Shows off the beautiful tops on Taylor guitars.

[Marco Polo]

Are the clear pickguards these things? These look kind of cheap... hope they actually will stay on the guitar and an end won't eventually peel up or something like that.

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/taylor-universal-reusable-acoustic-pickguard/360398000156000?cntry=us&source=3WWRWXGP&gclid=CjwKCAjwspHaBRBFEiwA0eM3kbFSsObb9g7ABzSXQOojtRiSM2Mnjf-Q_Hse0r9-Eg-oKmeM_d9j8BoCz8sQAvD_BwE&kwid=productads-adid^221957295818-device^c-plaid^323968377343-sku^360398000156000@ADL4MF-adType^PLA

Those are the static cling PG's that you can use on gloss top Taylor's. I got one from Taylor, used it once and decided it really was a hassle and I just don't need PG's with my fingerpicking. You remove them each time after playing. There are also permanent, hard, clear PG's that you apply to the guitar. The clear, permanent PG's are used by players who want/need a PG, but don't want the looks of a PG. Shows off the beautiful tops on Taylor guitars.

+1 Susie.  My static cling PG was probably on < 5 times before I decided to not use it anymore - not really worth it.

I will only put it on if/when someone else wants to play my guitar. 

[Guitar Cowboy]

Are the clear pickguards these things? These look kind of cheap... hope they actually will stay on the guitar and an end won't eventually peel up or something like that.

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/taylor-universal-reusable-acoustic-pickguard/360398000156000?cntry=us&source=3WWRWXGP&gclid=CjwKCAjwspHaBRBFEiwA0eM3kbFSsObb9g7ABzSXQOojtRiSM2Mnjf-Q_Hse0r9-Eg-oKmeM_d9j8BoCz8sQAvD_BwE&kwid=productads-adid^221957295818-device^c-plaid^323968377343-sku^360398000156000@ADL4MF-adType^PLA

Those are the static cling PG's that you can use on gloss top Taylor's. I got one from Taylor, used it once and decided it really was a hassle and I just don't need PG's with my fingerpicking. You remove them each time after playing. There are also permanent, hard, clear PG's that you apply to the guitar. The clear, permanent PG's are used by players who want/need a PG, but don't want the looks of a PG. Shows off the beautiful tops on Taylor guitars.

+1 Susie.  My static cling PG was probably on < 5 times before I decided to not use it anymore - not really worth it.

I will only put it on if/when someone else wants to play my guitar. 

 Just to present the other side... I have one for my K26 and I use it pretty much all the time. I agree , its kind of the pain in the butt,  but  it takes less than the time it takes to fasten the guitar strap. You should also know that  its not even close to invisible.
My playing style requires protecting the sound board , so I live with it.

[tnfiddler]

I bought a permanent clear one from Taylor right after I sent the money to the seller. The top on my Ltd. is WAY too nice to play without one. I’m a rhythm strummer and I’m not interested in making a twin to Trigger.