Would you put a pick guard on? - Page 2

wooglins · #16 11-06-2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topo

Yeah...I get sort of aggressive with some of my tunes at gigs....not crazy flailing all over the place, but I think there's a good chance the medium picks would inflict marring. I *would*, however, like to think the finish is tough enough, but it comes down to whether I'm willing to take that chance.
What I'd prefer is to have a nice thin statically attached guard, which I can leave on, doesn't show air underneath, and can be peeled of on the occasion when I want to clean or polish the top.

You dont want it to end up like Willies:

Topo · #17 11-06-2009, 02:42 PM

I got sensitive to the appearance when someone at a gig said it was a shame to clutter the beautiful top with the bubbles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hapa

, but I spend more time playing it than looking at it and I just want to make sure I'm not leaving marks on it...

klimax09 · #18 11-06-2009, 03:28 PM

no guard IMO....less pressure on the face of the guitar = more resonance= sweetness!

plus.....i like the look of the guitar when the finish starts to wear away...shows character...unless your trying to re-sell later

BoomerSooner · #19 11-06-2009, 10:55 PM

Flip a coin. I went with the Taylor cling-guard on my GS from the day I got it. The folks at taylor made that line, the GS, without a pick guard to show off the nice woods and simple no-bells setup of the model so I think the clear guard is a great idea. By the way, I am not sure about the MIST and apply. I just put it on real slow and the static cling took it from their-no water needed. And someone else mentioned this and I absolutely agree...you have to really look hard to tell its even on your guitar. Its inexpensive, simple and it works. If I'd have wanted a tortoise pick guard on my GS I probably would have gotten one with a tortoise pick guard. My two cents.

Taylor Lover · #20 11-07-2009, 05:35 AM

I have two Taylors and both came with guards on them. My choice was buy them or not. I never thought of myself as a hard strummer but one thing I noticed the other day is that both guards have very slight pick scratches on them. I always use a thin pick when I use a pic. I wonder if the plastic is softer than the finish Taylor uses. I am also in the process of designing a BTO so I guess I had better make up my mind on if I want it to have a pick guard or not and if I do go with one, which one. Decisions,decisions

wooglins · #21 11-07-2009, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taylor Lover

I have two Taylors and both came with guards on them. My choice was buy them or not. I never thought of myself as a hard strummer but one thing I noticed the other day is that both guards have very slight pick scratches on them. I always use a thin pick when I use a pic. I wonder if the plastic is softer than the finish Taylor uses. I am also in the process of designing a BTO so I guess I had better make up my mind on if I want it to have a pick guard or not and if I do go with one, which one. Decisions,decisions

You can always add one later, but you really don't want to remove one after the fact for fear of a permanent tan line having developed. If you are not sure I would order with the pick guard of your choice, but unattached.

river_rat · #22 11-07-2009, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topo

Ahh..this is helpful....I thought the instructions on the static cling guard that I got said to remove it after playing, so I've been doing that, but I would really like to simply leave it on. The material is somewhat thick, but very flexible. What's the material you use? Possibly you'd want to sell one?
I must say that I cannot stand the traditional tortoise shell style. It is so dated and only distracts from the beauty of the guitar. Clear is my first choice, but I did create some designs using photoshop. I thought that might be a great idea, *not* thought of before, but a little searching on the net shows there are a few places that will do custom colors and designs.

The static-cling I use is about 6 mil thick; I don't know just how to illustrate that. To me, I'm accustomed to working with 2 mil high-performance vinyl in our sign work, so it seems pretty thick. To some else, who's comparing it to a laminated plastic pickguard, it might appear thin. Let's just say it's completely unobtrusive, and danged near completely invisible.
I'm with you; I don't like the tortoise-shell, or in fact ANY pickguard hiding a pretty piece of wood, when there is a viable alternative out there.
As for the wet method .... I don't use it, on these nor on my sign vinyls, which use adhesive. If you start at one edge and squeegee as you go, it shouldn't be necessary.

river_rat · #23 11-07-2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wooglins

I am sure surface scratches develop over time, but those are easily polished away

Those unsightly (at least to me) pickmarks CAN be polished away, but by doing that, you're effectively trading small scratches for even smaller ones. "Polish" is nothing more than a fine abrasive. For example, when you're polishing a car with a buffer, and stay too long on a body edge, you'll buff completely through the finish. That's a lot more extreme than this, but you don't keep a car for a lifetime, either. Repeated "polishing" will eventually degrade the finish, because it's actually "abrading" it, a little at a time. The simple expedient of an inexpensive, removable alternative completely (and unobtrusively) prevents that.

semolinapilcher · #24 11-08-2009, 09:01 PM

To my the word "pickguard" is a bit of a misnomer. For example, if you anchor with your pinkie at all, then you are rubbing on the top and should have a guard.

There are many many techniques that can cause wear. For whatever reason my (significant) wear is on the lower inside edge of my soundhole, and only on my Taylor jumbo. For 20 years I have had the same beater dred that I leave out on my wall and play constantly, and go figure, it has zero top wear.

jjracer · #25 11-09-2009, 03:42 PM

IMO no, I have a K-26ce, came with no pick guard, I use the removable clear guard from Taylor, goes the trick and does not detract from the look of the guitar.

edward993 · #26 11-09-2009, 09:59 PM

I like the look of wear! Not "distressed" or "relic" style mind you, but real, honest-to-goodness battle scars from playing. The look of a guitar wielded in battle is a beautiful thing.

Yeah, I know I know ...they are gorgeous in showroom condition. My 655 quilted is drop-dead beautiful, and I try to keep it that way. But once my GA7 got her first good ding (down to the wood, right on the top, ouch!), I see it as badge of honor use.

So apply a pickguard if you like the look; leave it off if you prefer that. But I would not base my decision on "protection" ...just play it and enjoy every note!

Edward