I'm... Too sexy for my 716ce

[Black Beauty]

Nah just kidding, she's hot! Especially now that I've removed the pickguard. The only downside is that there are a few pickmarks... I don't know if they were already there or whether they were a result of the removal but it's not a huge deal:











Seriously, Taylors are so much more beautiful without their pickguards.

[BigSkyTaylorPlayer]

I like them without the pickguards also.  I'm 2 years into my 516 and not a scratch.....from a pick anyway we had a close encounter with the kitchen counter one day.....

When I took the pickguard off the Mini there were a few marks already there which was a bummer.  Not scratches but a few small gouges like a fingernail or something.

[Scriptor]

I have removed 2 pickguards from Taylor's ... the 2nd time, there were absolutely no marks.  The first time, there were.  I believe the marks from my first one were a result of my impatience rather than pre-existing under the pickguard.  It is very important to go slow when removing the pickguard.  The marks were minor and hard to see unless in an exact light and angle.  I soon forgot all about them.

[thebigz]

How do you go about removing the pickguard?  Is it just very carefully pry it up with a pick or something?

[BigSkyTaylorPlayer]

The one on my Mini was very simple to take off.  I was able to lift up the lower corner slightly and then used a hair dryer and patience and it came right off.  Be careful tho' and don't rush and it should come off ok.  If you meet any resistance then stop and regroup so as to not damage the top.  Mine came off so well that it's not warped or anything so if I want to put it back on I could.

[dylanj04]

There are two things I'm a sucker for on a Taylor guitar - the white neck binding, and the pickguard. I think it looks gorgeous with the pickguard on

[CodeBlueEMT]

I like them without the pickguards also.  I'm 2 years into my 516 and not a scratch.....from a pick anyway we had a close encounter with the kitchen counter one day.....

When I took the pickguard off the Mini there were a few marks already there which was a bummer.  Not scratches but a few small gouges like a fingernail or something.

 I noticed the same type of marks (fingernails?) after removing the scratchplate on my 314ce.

 Black Beauty, do the blemishes appear to be underneath the finish?

 Does Taylor use the scratchplate to hide these blemishes? Kinda of like, "Nobody will see this since it's under the pickguard?" I doubt that's the case,  but it makes me wonder. Was the top damaged by the person installing the scratchplate?

 I've almost decided to live with mine the way it is. I imagine the fix would be an inconvenient process.

 

 

[WillaMuse]

What a beautiful guitar.  You are very brave.  I realize lots of people take the pick guards off, but I would never do it.  I have one with a pick guard and one without (that's my 916 in my profile pic).  I really can't decide which 'look' I prefer.  As for those very tiny dings, well, it is a musical instrument and if you play them, guitars usually do get 'love bites' on them, even when carefully cared for.  They DO look like fingernail marks! 


Willa

 

[WillaMuse]

Clarification:  My 916ce has a clear pick guard.  It just 'looks' like it doesn't have a pick guard.  I love it.


Willa

[ewalling]

I'm very much a 'no-pickguard' man. I'm not saying all of them look ugly to me, but I think a guitar nearly always looks better without them. I've just removed my first pickguard from a new Seagull SWS Mini Jumbo - it's an improvement in looks, as far as I'm concerned.

[egkor]

During purchase I had the shop remove the pick guard from my 2012 614ce.  I think it looks great without.  Very slight "tan line", barely visible.
 
As for my 2010 315ce I'm leaving the pick guard on. I believe it would have a distinct tan line if removed.  And I think it looks "right" with it on.

Just opinions.  Part of the fun! 

-Gary K

[WillaMuse]

I find myself wondering if the clear pick guard will yellow with age ... I have a vintage Adamas whose pick guard was clear when it was new, but now it looks kind of green, because it has yellowed on top of a blue guitar.   I think that Taylor's pick guards are pretty nice looking compared to some others though.  Blackbeauty, I can't even see a faint mark where the pick guard was on that beautiful guitar of yours.  I like it without the pick guard.  Hmmm ... maybe I'll take mine off my 816.


Willa