Double pick guards - an add on? Original? Wants to be like Porter Wagoner?

[WC_Guitarist]

This question has been percolating in my mind a while, and since I've been browsing online for Guild guitars this afternoon (I know, hard to believe!), I'm seeing some maple ones that have the double pick guards.

It's not a look I'm immediately drawn to, but it's not repelling me either. Opinions on this one, please.

Guild 1980 G37BLD Acoustic Guitar

We have the Guild 1980 G37BLD Acoustic Guitar in stock in our Vintage collection. Shop now and receve free shipping on your order today!

www.guitarcenter.com

Preacher Bob's recent experience with Guitar Center notwithstanding, I believe I read somewhere that you can order a guitar, have it shipped to a local store, try it, decide on it, and if you don't like it, return it on the spot for a refund. Can someone confirm this?

Otherwise, what are you all seeing in these photos that I am not seeing? One thing I do not like about GCs vintage listings is there is never any description. But who knows, you might luck into something good.

 

[jedzep]

As ugly as it gets. I hate all guards, so I pull and tan.

You won't know until you play it, and with their EZ refund window, it's a good chance to sample.

 

[fronobulax]

Sometimes double pickguards were a factory option. Someone with more patience than I have could list specific models and time periods.

Simplistically items can be shipped to a local GC, assessed by you and returned if unsatisfactory. You need to ask about the fine print because the length of the return window varies (or varied) based upon whether an item was vintage or merely used. Sometimes there is a non-refundable charge for shipping, maybe $30. GC pictures and descriptions are notorious for not being useful but members have reported that a phone call to the store that actually has the item often gets much better information and sometimes even more or better pictures. Key point is to ask - both about the instrument you're interested and about shipping and return policies. That way you will have fewer surprises regardless of what posters say on the internet

 

[jedzep]

Good, thorough way to approach it. I've never yet corresponded with a GC rep who knew anything specific, at least not before someone else bought out from under me.

What's a fronobulax?!

 

[Brad Little]

ASFAIK, the double pick guard on my '76 F50 was a factory install, but I was the third owner, so maybe not. I've seen a few '70s F50s with double pickguards, most visibly Bonnie Raitt's. It would be interesting to see a list of models that had that option. I know that for a while you could get the Richie Havens D40 with a second pick guard that wasn't installed so you had the choice.

 

[fronobulax]

What's a fronobulax?!

70's Frank Zappa song "Cheepnis" about low budget monster movies. The official lyrics just name the monster "Frunobulax" but there are live recordings that identify the monster as "a giant poodle dog" and the "u" vowel can be heard as an "o". I've been using it as a username at various places for maybe 30 years.

 

[jedzep]

Bass player...Zappa...I should have known.

 

[fronobulax]

Bass player...Zappa...I should have known.

Well I did have several Mothers albums in my library before I picked up a bass ;-)

 

[chazmo]

guitarcenter's website is being finicky with me, WC, so I can't see the G-37 in question.

I don't recall seeing any of these with the two pickguards, WC, but that certainly doesn't rule it out as a possible factory option.

 

[WC_Guitarist]

Thank you all for your replies. Upon further consideration, maybe a double pick guard on a blonde guitar defeats the purpose? If the purpose is the beautiful wood, doesn't really make sense to cover it up! OTOH, if the body is large enough, then maybe still enough of the blonde wood is showing. I like the F-50 Brad posted. Gorgeous!

 

[chazmo]

^ Well a number of players, including, most famously, Richie Havens and Bonnie Raitt would disagree with you, WC. But, definitely go with your own aesthetics on this.

 

[Walter Broes]

I like the double pickguard look a lot, but I do get that a lot of people rrreally don't

 

[GAD]

I really don’t like the double guard look, but part of that is because I read a post years ago where someone said that the second guard may be there to hide some flaw. I just can’t get that out of my head.