Odd pickguards on D-44

readingbill · Mar 6, 2017

I just bought a 1970 D-44 with ill-fitting double pickguards that look as though they weren't made for this guitar.

Do they look like factory-installed pickguards? I have seen photos of some Guilds with the pickguards fitted to the inner rosette ring but none this close to the soundhole.

I'm thankful for any help anyone can offer.
Bill

wileypickett · Mar 6, 2017

I'm with you Bill -- these look like after-market add-ons to me too. Guild may have installed them at the original owner's request for something to protect the top from a heavy strummer, but they are atypical of Guild's usual pickguard placement.

Is it possible a later owner put them on to cover up damage to the top?

readingbill · Mar 6, 2017

wileypickett said:
I'm with you Bill -- these look like after-market add-ons to me too. Guild may have installed them at the original owner's request for something to protect the top from a heavy strummer, but they are atypical of Guild's usual pickguard placement.

Is it possible a later owner put them on to cover up damage to the top?

The guitar is being delivered, so I won't be able to check out the top for a few days. I hope there isn't damage there.

I was wondering how much Guild was like Gibson back in those days, pretty much using whatever was on hand for something like pickguards.

Thanks for the quick reply!

GardMan · Mar 6, 2017

The "less than clean" curves and close fit to the soundhole suggest to me that they were made and added later.

My (now departed) '71 D-44:

Westerly Wood · Mar 6, 2017

yeah, I still like it though.wish i still had my double PG 1973 D40. ugliest dread you ever did see.
and i believe a few of us proved that the double pg or no pg at all impacts tone in a minimal if at all way.

readingbill · Mar 6, 2017

It does scream the 70s, which is why it's so appealing to me.

adorshki · Mar 6, 2017

GardMan said:
The "less than clean" curves and close fit to the soundhole suggest to me that they were made and added later.

My (now departed) '71 D-44:

Right.
Dread 'gards had their own shape as evidenced by yours.
They actually look like F-body style 'gards, in fact dual 'gards was a popular option on F50's (see Bonnie Raitt):

.

Guild was always impeccable about aesthetics on their factory work, I'm 100% positive that's not factory, even as a retro-fit.

Odd pickguards on D-44

readingbill

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