NGD and some advice need.

Arktik83

So I picked up a Les Paul Goldtop R7 from 2013 second hand as I'm not paying those nutty prices for brand new custom shops.  It's a bloody fantastic guitar but the original owner chucked away the pick guard.  God knows why.  

So I'm wondering, how can I source a pickguard for the R7?  Some people say that they vary from year to year.  Is that bollocks?  Any suggestions on where to source a pickguard and a bracket would be appreciated!

As required here's some pics of my new acquisition!

https://i.imgur.com/u3uT0im.jpg?1
https://i.imgur.com/DrrLKNo.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/2XqTWbd.jpg

underdog

The original owner done good, why cover the expensive wood with a bit of cheap plastic?

Lovely looking guitar you have there.

Lozboy

I found Richtone Music the cheapest for one of those.

guitars4you

http://www.croxguitars.com/trcs.htm - these guys can help

adamm82

Lozboy said:

I found Richtone Music the cheapest for one of those.

Yep I got a Gibson truss rod cover for £6, double the price elsewhere. 

Marshall_stax

Leave it off, looks so much better.
 

Sassafras

The previous owner is to be applauded for having impeccable taste.

Alegree

I sell LP PGs & brackets. 

streethawk

Yes, they changed around 2009. I've got a Montreaux Time Machine one here somewhere, unused. 

guitargeek62

Crazyparts.de have a lot of pickguard options for various Rx models and years too.

Nice GAS!

ICBM

Remember, every Les Paul ever made is heavier with a pickguard on.

As well as uglier.

Skipped

There was a longish period in the previous decade  when the pickup spacing was slightly different to 50s spec. But you don't have that problem and should be able to buy an aftermarket guard.
And you should.

Funkfingers

underdog said:

why cover the expensive wood with a bit of cheap plastic?

Er, Gibson already covered it with paint and clear coats.

ICBM said:

Remember, every Les Paul ever made is heavier with a pickguard on. As well as uglier.

Ugliest of all being the Mary Ford version with the additional "forearm rest" plate and ES-295 style floral decoration.

underdog

Funkfingers said:

underdog said:

why cover the expensive wood with a bit of cheap plastic?

Er, Gibson already covered it with paint and clear coats.

ICBM said:

Remember, every Les Paul ever made is heavier with a pickguard on. As well as uglier.

Ugliest of all being the Mary Ford version with the additional "forearm rest" plate and ES-295 style floral decoration.

Yes OK, why cover the paint then?

I don't get pickguards on an arch top, you should not be hitting a top that's falling away from you, you shouldn't need a pickguard, not even to rest your pinky on. And, as pointed out they are so god damn ugly.

Voxman

ICBM said:

Remember, every Les Paul ever made is heavier with a pickguard on.

As well as uglier.

Nonsense, I'm sending you to specsavers - LP's are naked without a pickguard - pickguards are cool and functional - why risk getting your body scratched...also, I rest my pinkie on the raised pickguard for better picking control.  If you don't like pickguards, there's always PRS of course - but a Les Paul MUST have a pickguard or it just looks plain wrong!! 

However, is it just a trick of the light or do I see a scratch in the 2nd & 3rd pics? - if so, it's too far down for the pickguard to cover.

Arktik83

Voxman said:

ICBM said:

Remember, every Les Paul ever made is heavier with a pickguard on.

As well as uglier.

Nonsense, I'm sending you to specsavers - LP's are naked without a pickguard - pickguards are cool and functional - why risk getting your body scratched...also, I rest my pinkie on the raised pickguard for better picking control.  If you don't like pickguards, there's always PRS of course - but a Les Paul MUST have a pickguard or it just looks plain wrong!! 

However, is it just a trick of the light or do I see a scratch in the 2nd & 3rd pics? - if so, it's too far down for the pickguard to cover.

It is a scratch, little bit deep but nothing that's gouged out the paint.  That's the worst of the "damage" on the guitar, apart from that it's all minor dints which I'm not arsed about and I agree with you an LP needs a pickguard

ICBM

Voxman said:

Nonsense, I'm sending you to specsavers - LP's are naked without a pickguard - pickguards are cool and functional - why risk getting your body scratched...also, I rest my pinkie on the raised pickguard for better picking control.  If you don't like pickguards, there's always PRS of course - but a Les Paul MUST have a pickguard or it just looks plain wrong!! 

Why tack an ugly plastic paper dart to the front of a beautiful guitar? Especially one that creaks, rattles and clicks. These great players all had the sense and taste to fix Gibson's mistake...

Exhibit A

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/files/2012/05/Kossoff.jpg

Exhibit B

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/29/fa/1d/29fa1d3211aaff6c512e5d1aad0ebe48.jpg

Exhibit C

https://www.duaneallman.info/images/duaneindex.jpg

Exhibit D

http://www.vintageguitar.com/wp-content/uploads/SNOWY_WHITE_04.jpg

Exhibit E

https://images.genius.com/0ccd36f5de23e7a6ed4e5329433add25.400x500x1.jpg

OK, I will accept that B and E are the same guitar .

Countless other examples too. When you see enough, you realise how wrong they look with one on.

Neil

Voxman said:

ICBM said:

Remember, every Les Paul ever made is heavier with a pickguard on.

As well as uglier.

Nonsense, I'm sending you to specsavers - LP's are naked without a pickguard - pickguards are cool and functional - why risk getting your body scratched...also, I rest my pinkie on the raised pickguard for better picking control.  If you don't like pickguards, there's always PRS of course - but a Les Paul MUST have a pickguard or it just looks plain wrong!! 

Exactly what I do.

After playing flat guitars I find my pinky floating around lost without a finger plate (the correct term) on a Les Paul. 

I guess it depends on your style of playing but a finger plate on a LP is vital to me.