Pickguards

Rabs

I was wondering..  With discussion on LP pickguards on or off as well as for aesthetic reasons they obviously actually have a function..  My general rule for looks on LPs is that if it has a nice top with a nice tasteful burst or lovely wood on show they should come off so you see as much as the top as possible.. Solid colours, it matters less..

But my actual point of the thread. I also don't mind taking them off my LPs because I don't actually need a pickguard. My playing style (or possibly lack of one) means I don't ever hit the body when im playing and im wondering for how many people its actually a necessity to have one, or just don't mind damaging that area and showing the battle scars?

p90fool

I beat hell out of mine most gigs, I've broken three scratchplates and knock the paint off when they're not fitted, so yeah, they do serve a purpose.

http://i66.tinypic.com/2qk2o7n.jpg

Rabs

p90fool said:

I beat hell out of mine most gigs, I've broken three scratchplates and knock the paint off when they're not fitted, so yeah, they do serve a purpose.

I gave you a wow...  But WOW..  That's one hell of a playing style you must have 

How long does it take to start showing?

Neil

The "pickguard" on a Les Paul is referred to as a finger plate and that is exactly what I use it for.

My unfortunate style has me anchoring my right pinky and on a carved top LP it would just float in mid air which I why I always want a finger plate on a LP.

ICBM

Gibson actually called it a ‘finger rest’ originally.

I constantly hit it with my fingernails, which I find irritating, and also makes an annoying clicking noise if you’re playing quietly at home. I don’t hit the body if it’s not there though, so the arc of thrashing must be somewhere in between the two heights...

Fuengi

p90fool said:

I beat hell out of mine most gigs, I've broken three scratchplates and knock the paint off when they're not fitted, so yeah, they do serve a purpose.

http://i66.tinypic.com/2qk2o7n.jpg

Manos de piedra!!

munckee

Fuengi said:

p90fool said:

I beat hell out of mine most gigs, I've broken three scratchplates and knock the paint off when they're not fitted, so yeah, they do serve a purpose.

http://i66.tinypic.com/2qk2o7n.jpg

Manos de piedra!!

Or a stone plectrum!

sawyer

I think they look great on. However my 2003 Standard isn't drilled for one and I cannot bring myself to drill it to fit one. So yes and no:)

sweepy

sawyer said:

I think they look great on. However my 2003 Standard isn't drilled for one and I cannot bring myself to drill it to fit one. So yes and no:)

You could use double sided adhesive tabs, it’d mark the nitro though

zepp76

sawyer said:

I think they look great on. However my 2003 Standard isn't drilled for one and I cannot bring myself to drill it to fit one. So yes and no:)

My '04 standard isn't drilled for one either and I'm glad as it shouldn't have a pickguard on a nice flame, gold tops are a different matter altogether and should have one.

Skipped

I have the pickguard on.

But it is not to protect the top.

I leave it in place because the Gibson Les Paul is an iconic design. Every part of it.

For the same reason I would not move the 3 way toggle to a new position below the bridge. Because it would look horribly wrong. An iconic design/image  is not something I want to mess with.

Skipped

But I do take this seriously.

It is now time for the topic to have it's own forum sub-section.

Sassafras

When I think of pickguards on Les Pauls I always picture old men in tuxedos resting their fat fingers on the guard and playing plummy slow jazz solos to a bored  and inattentive audience.

p90fool

Sassafras said:

When I think of pickguards on Les Pauls I always picture old men in tuxedos resting their fat fingers on the guard and playing plummy slow jazz solos to a bored  and inattentive audience.

Yep, that's how I keep busting them and knocking the paint off.


When I see Les Pauls without them it just screams 1980s to me. 

@Rabs I wore the paint off in a matter of months after breaking the first scratchplate. It is a heavily gigged guitar though.

OilCityPickups

Neil said:

The "pickguard" on a Les Paul is referred to as a finger plate and that is exactly what I use it for.

My unfortunate style has me anchoring my right pinky and on a carved top LP it would just float in mid air which I why I always want a finger plate on a LP.

Mine too :-(