Pick guard - To add or not to add?
I recently purchased my first all-solid wood acoustic - spruce top, mahogany sides/back. Not a collector guitar, but very nice nonetheless. It is a lovely grand auditorium model with no pick guard. I am a strummer/flat picker and I was thinking of adding a pick guard so I don't carve my new baby up.
However, since my dna is programmed to overanalyze everything, it got me thinking about tone. By adding a pick guard to this smaller body acoustic, will it adversely effect tone by cutting down on precious vibes? Many a high quality acoustic has a pick guard installed at the factory, which leads me to believe I am fretting over nothing (pun-intended), but any thoughts would be much appreciated. Also, should I consider what material the pick guard is made of, thickness, etc?
However, since my dna is programmed to overanalyze everything, it got me thinking about tone. By adding a pick guard to this smaller body acoustic, will it adversely effect tone by cutting down on precious vibes? Many a high quality acoustic has a pick guard installed at the factory, which leads me to believe I am fretting over nothing (pun-intended), but any thoughts would be much appreciated. Also, should I consider what material the pick guard is made of, thickness, etc?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bob Webster on
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Fear not, BJ. Don't give in to analysis paralysis. Some of the greatest sounding guitars ever made earned their reps with a pick guard attached. The quick and easy way to get one on your new baby is to order one that has an adhesive backing. Both StewMac and, particularly LMII, stock a great variety of ready-to-apply pickguards. LMII also has them in Tor-Tis material, which is great stuff. Plenty of info on the LMII site to help you pick just the right one for your guitar.
Cheers,
Bob
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Permalink Reply by Basement Jammer on
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Bob: Thanks very much for the insight! I shall fear no evil...
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