Pickguard choice Rosewood or Mahogany on Englemann spruce top

nrand · #1 03-08-2011, 02:53 AM

I just bought my second Taylor, a used BTO GA body with Mahogany back and sides and premium Englemann Spruce top.
Setting aside the question of whether wood pickguards are a good idea or not, as I know there are divided opinions on this, and assuming I use a standard taylor shape guard, I am wondering how the two different woods would effect the overall tone?

This is mainly for fingerstyle but also some flatpicking, it has a 1 7/8" nut. The Takamine and the Ibanez 12 String are my workhorses for acoustic rhythm playing.

I would go for a very thin guard in either case but I only want to do it once.

The guitar also has Rosewood bindings so aesthetically either would work.

CoffeeGuitar · #2 03-08-2011, 05:11 AM

even a piece of wood as this as a pickguard would probably add too much weight to the top

try looking around the next and there are plenty of sheets of pickguard matertials in a mind boggling array of styles, there is bound to be one you'll like

dk63 · #3 03-08-2011, 05:33 AM

Why not try the clear static pick guard from Taylor? I've got one on my 714ce and like it for the fact that it doesn't hide any of the top.

Tunes · #4 03-08-2011, 07:31 AM

I'm not sure how it would affect the toone, but I am sure it would affect the tone, and not for the better.

If you like wood - the clear pickgaurd is a great idea.

hermithollow · #5 03-08-2011, 07:56 AM

If the pickguard is as thin as a plastic one would be it probably wouldn't affect the tone any more than usual. Of the two woods listed I would pick the rosewood, as it is a bit harder and might hold up better.
You might want to consider using a thin wood veneer for looks, and placing a thin clear plastic guard on top of it for protection - a pickguard for the pickguard.

Many makers use a clear double sided tape to adhere pickguards, which allows for their eventual removal and replacement. The tape is available from Stewart McDonald.

nrand · #6 03-08-2011, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermithollow

If the pickguard is as thin as a plastic one would be it probably wouldn't affect the tone any more than usual. Of the two woods listed I would pick the rosewood, as it is a bit harder and might hold up better.
You might want to consider using a thin wood veneer for looks, and placing a thin clear plastic guard on top of it for protection - a pickguard for the pickguard.

Many makers use a clear double sided tape to adhere pickguards, which allows for their eventual removal and replacement. The tape is available from Stewart McDonald.

Thanks
This is the kind of response I was hoping for, not being sure myself of the qualities of the two woods.