Clear Pickguard / No Pickguard - Thoughts?

[Soaz]

Whoops, That didn't work. No edit?

Rick

[cigarfan]

These guys aren't going to be playing any of my guitars!

[JB12]

Here's a couple of more beat up beauties to add to the thread   

2 Aussi guitarists that I enjoy.

2 Matons that have been on some exciting rides (and it shows)!

John Butler: Maton ECJ85 12-string (11 string) Jumbo acoustic guitar with a custom cedar top



Tommy Emmanuel:  Maton TE1

[TaylorGirl]

Ok, after seeing all those pictures I suddenly feel a bit anal about my new 512ce.  Maybe there's a reason I don't let people play my guitars....you never know if it's going to be someone like that!

[joerogrz]

Wow! I thought this old Hohner archtop from the early 70's my Dad dumped on me was in bad shape!

[Soaz]

Pure Tone, Thanks for posting the pic.

Those guitars have been played, played and played some more.

I guess my point is,... if you want to keep your new 512ce looking perfect, get a pick guard.

Myself, I'd like to play enough to make my guitar look that bad.

Rick

[Gutch]

Pickguards can muffle the sound of the guitar due to restricting movement of the top. This is generally not a problem for Taylors though as they are not as lightly braced as handcrafted guitars (Collings, for example).

Sorry, but I would challenge this statement in its entirety.  The position of the pickguard on the top, and their typical small size and thin depth would have little to no impact.  The double batwing guard such as the one above or the on old Johnny Cash Gibson, well, that's another story.


Re:  Bracing -- I don't believe it for a minute.  I'd be very interested in seeing objective data to support this claim.  "A friend told me" or "You can hear the difference" is not objective data.

[theguitarguru]

That dreadnought with that pickguard looks like it came out from Batman cave...

[mauisunset]

When I bought my GS-8 back in 2008, I dropped it off at the factory for them to install a clear pickguard.  It's been a great addition without taking away the aesthetic of the non-cutaway and subdued look of the GS series.  Since I mostly strum on it, a pickguard was a necessity for me.

[Jake_Henry]

I've got another cedar top instrument, and I'd probably go with a clear pick guard.  I know finishes can be hard, but the underlying wood (cedar) is definitely not.  And, not because I necessarily will make a dent in my guitar, but borrow it to someone else to strum a song or two, and cedar can wear very very quickly.  I had an ebony armrest put on another instrument because the cedar top was wearing along the edge where my right arm touched the top/edge as I was strumming.

[MrTing]

I;m a fingerstyle guitarist. Two of my taylor's have no pickguard(came that way) and I have a lowden with a clear pickguard.    I talked to a Taylor tech at a road show and he said DON'T put a pickguard on.    If you are a heavy strummer, or if you plant your pinky you may want to add it.

[CodeBlueEMT]

 I don't have the energy to scratch through the finish, let alone the wood anymore. 

 Keep her naked. 

[TaylorGirl]

I don't have the energy to scratch through the finish, let alone the wood anymore. 

 Keep her naked. 

That's exactly what I did. She's beautiful. I had Taylor throw in one of their static cling pickguards that I keep in the case if I strum, which isn't too often.

[soma89]

I`d say no pickguard because I look at wear marks as trophies of my achievements

[stepchildusmc]

can't stand the thought of muddying up the looks with a pickguard. even though i use a pick most often, i'm not concerned about getting pick-rash. i don't think i can ever get it. i've been playing my  natural weave topped Adamas 2080sr for a few years now. if running the pick across that occasionally doesn't cure you of pick rash, nothing ever will !