Who plays without a pickguard?

[d-rock]

So I took off the pickguard on my SFIII in order to stick some felt to the underside. Reason being that the pickguard wasn't laying flat up against the bridge pickup mount and would "click" a bit when strumming.

I cleaned some dust from the body and strummed it a bit. Is it me, or does the guitar resonate more with the pickguard off? is it because I strum it harder without the 'guard getting in the way? I know this sounds crazy but is there any substance to this?

It's a little different soloing without having a piece of plastic to rest my pinky on, but I can get used to it. Who here plays with the pickguard off and why :?:

 

[walrus]

Hi d-rock - I took the pickguard off my Starfire II - also off of my Starfire IV when I had one. I have pretty long fingers and find it gets in the way. Easier for me to rest my pinky without the pickguard. I still have the pickguard on my A-50 though - it is bent in so it is lower and does not bother me.

I asked a similar question on this forum a while ago...

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2118&hilit=

walrus

 

[JHCrawLaw]

Hi, d-rock.

I have played my '67 SFIV without a pickguard since the original cracked and broke back in 1969, and I haven't missed it at all. In fact, I think it made it easier to play, and frankly, look better. Someday, I may try to replace it, if only to get the old girl dressed up like new.

 

[walrus]

OK - I just experimented with the "d-rock theory of pickguard removal". I took the pickguard off of my A-50 and played it. Put it back and played it, took it off and played it. I have to agree with the d-rock "theory". For my old A-50 anyway, I think it does resonate through the body a little better with no pickguard. Thanks for the idea, d-rock!

For my Starfire II (and my previously owned Starfire IV), I never liked how the pickguard felt on my right hand, so it was gone as soon as I got the guitar.

So, I am officially "pickguardless"...

walrus

 

[d-rock]

"d-rock theory of pickguard removal"

It's actually kind of cool, I can feel the guitar resonate more against my body. Glad I could be of some help. :mrgreen:

 

[d-rock]

Took a pic of my SFIII sans pickguard. I'm lovin' it with my new Blues Junior. Just had to show them off.

 

[walrus]

A beauty, d-rock!

walrus

 

[buche]

I was inspired by d-rock's setup, here's mine:

 

[Jahn]

I have no choice, the Starfire XII ain't comin' with no fancy schmancy pickguard. tho it seems from the posts above that's a good thing!

 

[Pappy]

I took my pickguard off to get signed by Brian Setzer, but there's a custom one being made soon for my Gretsch annie. Oh it'll be sweet. Paul Setzer (no relation) said that this one will be the most challenging and intricate pickguard he's ever made and coming from Paul, that's something else. I didn't hear any change in tone when I took it off and it didn't get in the way in the least.

I'll be sure to post pics with the new one, but here it is with the old one:

 

[Graham]

Very nice looking guitar.

 

[Pappy]

Thanks! It has to be the best playing, best sounding guitar I've ever laid my hands on. My wife was recently watching Christina's Court and a mother sued her duaghter in law for ALL of the belongings of her dead son. Photo's, journals, everything. Kim (my wife) said this will NEVER happen to her and I'm to put it in my will that Kim gets at least the Gretsch because it was a gift and it means a lot to both of us.

 

[Graham]

Thanks! It has to be the best playing, best sounding guitar I've ever laid my hands on. My wife was recently watching Christina's Court and a mother sued her duaghter in law for ALL of the belongings of her dead son. Photo's, journals, everything. Kim (my wife) said this will NEVER happen to her and I'm to put it in my will that Kim gets at least the Gretsch because it was a gift and it means a lot to both of us.

So Kim doesn't get on well with Mom huh? :lol: :lol:

 

[Pappy]

I, uh, THINK she's just being cautious.

 

[Graham]

I, uh, THINK she's just being cautious.

:mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Is the Annie one of the one out of 75?

It's a beautiful looking guitar, no doubt.

 

[Pappy]

Nope. Just your run of the mill G6118T's.

 

[Graham]

Hardly looks run of the mill. G6118T-R-CST Custom "Relic" Double Anniversary™

 

[Pappy]

Yeah, but that one is definitely not mine. I think Walter recently played one and enjoyed it quite a bit. I'm sure they're amazing guitars and I for one love relics and beat up guitars but annies just don't look right beat up to me. I don't know. Maybe it's the colors. I know sunbursts just dont look right without a nick or two. Maybe I'm weird.

And hoo boy those things are PRICEY! It's crazy to think that you're paying more than a 6120 for a "poor man's 6120."

 

[Walter Broes]

I did like the Annie, but that's because I was so impressed with how that guitar sounded like and old Gretsch, and felt like one. I would have preferred it without the relicing, I think pre-beat up guitars are just silly. I mean, I even take my precious buckleback "Big E" Levi's to the dry cleaner's so they won't bleach!!!

 

[d-rock]

For years I've played with a pickguard. After taking it off recently (and starting this thread), my hand felt out of place because it didn't have someplace to rest. So I put the pickguard back on.

After just a few minutes I realized that I had gotten so used to having it off that it was almost in the way. It's off for good now.

"I'm free Jerry and lovin' every minute of it!" (obscure Seinfeld reference)