Guitars without pickguards

[KuuKOO]

So I have a Fender Kingman C in Fiesta Red. It’s a nice guitar. On CL by me there’s a Kingman Pro which is the custom shop bolt on variety in sunburst. It’s not a terrible price. But there’s no pick guard and the seller says he doesn’t have it. He has the CoA only.

When I bought my guitar it came with a pick guard. I’ve seen other Kingman Pros that came without but I think they look odd. I want guitar but not without the guard. I googled and it doesn’t look like they are easy to come by.

What do I do?

btw some of these were built in New Hartford I believe.

 

[AcornHouse]

If you have to have that specific pickguard, you can have one made, or get some pickguard material and have a go yourself. Or, you could get a generic pickguard.

 

[davismanLV]

Is that the ugly white one? I'm not familiar with this model but I just don't really like pickguards. But Guild has iconic ones so you cope. I'd actually pay extra for no pickguard. I used to think my guitars needed one because I thought I played hard. Yet my 26 year old Washburn in BLACK of all things has like NO scratches. You can have one made, I'm sure, right? Good luck.....

 

[Rebosbro]

Try WD pickguards. They carry some really unusual ones and I think they can custom make them, too

 

[KuuKOO]

Naw it’s this one.

 

[HeyMikey]

Contact the Fender customer service and see if you can buy one

 

[davismanLV]

Oh man that's pretty with the purfling and rosette.... I'd love to see it stay un-pickguarded, but that's just my opinion. Super nice looking guitar!!

 

[KuuKOO]

Here’s the guitar in question. No pickguard.

 

[KuuKOO]

Hrm now that I posted the pics the burst on the other is soooo much nicer.

 

[davismanLV]

This is not a good photo because i'm sure those shadows and angles and lines are shadows. But leave it like that. Do you play really hard enough to need the protection? Just wondering.... if you do then, slap it on. Fender might be able to help. But if not, it might be tricky because of the color and the shape. Shape, easy. Color, not so much.... i don't think. Again, good luck, amigo!!

 

[davismanLV]

I like that guitar....

 

[wileypickett]

Here’s the guitar in question. No pickguard.

I'm not anti-pickguard by any means -- they have a particular purpose after all -- but I'm with Tom; aesthetically I think this particular guitar looks better without.

But hey, that's just us -- whatever floats your boat!

If I was a hard strummer, I'd certainly want a pickguard to protect the guitar.

 

[KuuKOO]

I’m a performer so sometimes I worry I’ll take a nick out of it. Also the guard looks more like the originals which is what I’m after.

 

[davismanLV]

Looking and evaluating, I'd say if you're going to put a pickguard on that guitar I'd do black or tortoiseshell. Cuz the original color is really rather unappealing and doesn't flatter the guitar.... AT ALL!! But if you want original... then no photo required. If you buck the system and put black or tortie.... I wanna see a photo!!

 

[SFIV1967]

Contact the Fender customer service and see if you can buy one

Exactly! They might have transported the leftover Fender stock from New Hartford to Scottsdale or Corona and hence probably still have a few pickguards in inventory. Give them the serial number of your guitar and let them find one for you. If not ask them for the exact material and manufacturer.
Ralf

 

[Nuuska]

There's no arguing of taste - said the dog licking his balls . . .

Sunburst looks nice - for protection a clear pg might do as well.

 

[HeyMikey]

Another idea might be a clear temporary static cling vinyl guard that you put on when playing then take-off, or clear stick-on Mylar one. You can find 8x12 sheets or pre-cut generic shapes of either material.

I’ve been considering these for two that I have without pickguards to protect the tops.

 

[fronobulax]

btw some of these were built in New Hartford I believe.

Yes. Some Kingmans were built in New Hartford. They were in production during LTG III at least. I'll let you search if you want/need to know more.

 

[AcornHouse]

Here’s an example of a clear pickguard. Hard to even see from a distance, depending on the lighting. Protection Without hiding the top or rosette.

I used this: https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-too...rials/clear-pickguard-materials-set-of-4.html

 

[Bonneville88]

Only thing I'd add as a longtime fabricator of plastics, especially adhesive backed - on a darker body,
clear adhesive tape will tend to show underneath the pickguard more than it would on a light colored
natural spruce top like the one Chris is playing.

That pickguard shape is distinctly Fender and imo should be maintained.
I agree with Tom - the solid gold is somewhat distracting / overstated on that guitar, but
done in a nice tortoise-shell could look great and nicely custom!