914ce V-Class - Pickguard?

[Bo]

I have a new 914ce and am a little bit concerned about it not having a pickguard.  I love the way it looks, but I almost always plant a finger or two below the sound hole when I play and I worry about finish damage.  After a few months of play it is holding up perfectly, but I'm not sure about long term.  I have a couple of questions for anyone with experience on this topic.  Has anyone out there caused damage, or not, to their unprotected finish from an anchor finger?  Has anyone added a pickguard to their 900 series guitars?  Does Taylor sell clear, or rosewood pickguards to fit a 2018 914ce?  (I'm not interested in a pickguard that you put on and take off).

Thanks in advance for any input.

   

[TaylorGirl]

I'm a fingerpicker and I always plant my pinky. Mine is over 2 years old and it is showing no signs of wear. However, it gets rotated play with the other guitars. But, the Taylor finish is pretty darn durable. I'm not worrying about it.

[Strumming Fool]

I'm pretty sure that Taylor does sell clear pickguards on its website - not so sure about a rosewood one (reserved for the 800 series). That said, 6 of the 7 Taylor GAs in my signature below have no pickguards, and I am a picker/strummer who has not experienced any damage to the finish on any of these guitars. Taylor's photo-cured poly finish is IMO the most resilient finish in the industry.

Hope this helps to ease your concern....

[Bo]

Thanks, Taylorgirl and Strumming Fool.  That is exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for.  I'm not sure I could say the same about the nitro finish on my other guitars.   

[TLAW]

mine is ab 2 years old and shows some finish wear & denting from what I agues is my pinky nail.....but I consider it "character"

[Bo]

Thanks, TLAW.  I appreciate that feedback.  The potential for finish wear and denting is exactly my concern.   






   

 

[Coco Kid]

Pickguards in my experience hamper the tone. If it were me, I'd work on amending my playing style so that my pinky would not rest on the guitar.

[Bo]

I hear ya Coco.  But I was taught to plant a pinky when I first picked up a guitar.  I got my first one in '65, so the habit is pretty deeply ingrained.

I think the jury is still out on how much a pick guard robs tone.  All the fantastic old pre-war guitars have pick guards. 

[TaylorGirl]

There's nothing wrong with a planting finger/s when you play, especially for fingerpickers, it is actually quite common and it really helps with muscle memory, accuracy and speed. So, I wouldn't worry about that, if your style involves it.  I've been doing it since 1973, like you.  It sounds like if a fingernail is involved, it might involve some wear, based on TLAW's experience. My nails aren't long enough to come into play. Maybe make sure that nail (those nails) is trimmed back, and I think you will be good to go to play and not worry.

None of my Taylor's have suffered any wear from planting my finger. I only have one that has a pick guard.

[Jersey tuning]

I've been playing a custom GC with no pickguard since 2011.  Play fingerstyle with a planted pinky most of the time, and have done no damage to the finish.  I believe my GC is finished with the older, "thicker" finish, so I would wonder if the newer "thinner" finish is more susceptible to wearing away.

[TLAW]

ok I should have premised my comments with ...I AM AN ADMITTEDLY HEAVY HANDED PLAYER

at the risk of opening myself up to attack here are some photos....I play everyday...I play it all kinds of ways from soft & elegant fingerpicking to heavy strumming to flat picking ..my needs are kinda wide and varied ....this wear would've bothered me years ago but now I feel like it's affirmation that I obtained an almost living breathing teammate in this guitar....this guitar is about 2 yrs old

[Bo]

It's good to hear that most of you haven't caused any pinky damage to your guitar tops.  I keep my fingernails short at all times and I would not describe any of my playing styles as heavy handed.  So, I'm thinking it's probably safe to continue on without the pickguard.  Thanks for all the input.

For what it's worth, I checked in with Taylor and they do sell pickguards for 914ce's.  They come in tortoise, black and clear and cost $9.00.

TLAW, thanks for posting the photo's.  I see the wear you are talking about and I appreciate you mentioning that you're heavy handed.  I also see that you have a new Collings CJ35SB on the way.  I bought one in April and it is fantastic in every way.  Congrats! 


   

[TLAW]

yeah I CANT WAIT for the Collings....and by most accounts they respond GREAT to heavy hands!

[ahalikias]

Like TaylorGirl, I'm (mostly) a fingepicker who plants his pinky when playing, so pretty gentle on the guitar. Neither of my mainstays (914ce and K26ce) have a pickguard and I had long wondered about the risk, but after a decade of (careful) use, they look as good as they did day 1. What it has stopped me from using/learning however is metal thumb and finger picks.

[Chopslide]

I just picked up a new Taylor custom with a sinker redwood top and have the same concerns. I have added a clear removable pickguard. It has been on for a week and so far doesn't bug me too much. time will tell as I get some more time on this new guitar