I’m a strummer and flat picker and I say nay. I think that guitars look classier without them, especially Taylors. On Taylors it gives them a more high end look. I’ve never had trouble scratching a guitar up with a pick and don’t anchor my pinky to flat pick.
However, I do like the Gibson batwing guards and the Gibson models that
Have the ornate guards because that’s part of the look. They look normal on Martins, but I also like Andy Griffin’s D18 without the guard.
Here are 3 of my 4 main players that are sans guard. Wood is prettier to me than plastic.
