Why do basses not have pick guards

[gjbassist]

I for one prefer basses with pickguards and I don't even use a pick!

[pbass2]

Originally Posted by dalahorse

I wonder if the pick guard is a stylish holdover from the guitar

I think that's it--and even with guitars it's probably a holdover from big 'ol archtops where you "might" hit the guitar as you're skanking along in the big band, trying to be heard above all the horns!
You gotta be playing pretty sloppy and wild if you're hitting the instrument's body when playing a bass OR a solid body guitar with a pick.

[DanNowhere]

Originally Posted by Kentucky Ryan

get rid of the pick. whether its fair or not. more people will respect you if you dont use a pick.

I like to whomp the strings with a ball peen hammer. Does anyone make a hammer guard that will fit my bass?

[mjac28]

Originally Posted by Woofer

If you're hitting the bass with your pick, you're doing it wrong. You don't need a pickguard, you need better technique.

+1 My Big Block P doesn't have a pickguard or any scratches.

[joeyl]

Originally Posted by benlauziere

You're joking right ?

There's a lot of great player that plays with a pick: Lemmy, Chris Squire, McCartney...

It's not a question of respect, it's a question of taste and tone. I mostly use fingerstyle but for some songs, I use a pick because it has a totally different tone I wanna get. A lot of TBers brainwashed me for never use a pick but whatever, if it sounds great to you man, use a pick. Or else.

I'm pretty sure he was joking, but were you? since you said great player and Lemmy in the same sentence

[Woofer]

Originally Posted by AdamR

From not playing with a pick

How'd you manage that? Slapping, I'm guessing?

These SR500's seem to have a really thin finish, and I'm guessing that this is what the OP is worried about, since he says he plays fingerstyle. I've seen them get a worn spot by the neck pickup from guys anchoring their thumb there.

Still, I think fixing technique is the better bet over buying a pickguard. I learned how to play fingerstyle without anchoring my thumb on anything, so I've never really worried about finish wear from playing before. Smacking it off the cymbal riser, on the other hand...

[2cooltoolz]

It took 4 posts for an innocent (if a bit naive) thread to go to s***. That's pretty good restraint guys!!

[dalahorse]

Originally Posted by 2cooltoolz

It took 4 posts for an innocent (if a bit naive) thread to go to s***. That's pretty good restraint guys!!

Agreed. It takes all of us to help keep TB on the up-n-up. Good call.

[pbass6811]

Originally Posted by Kentucky Ryan

get rid of the pick. whether its fair or not. more people will respect you if you dont use a pick.

I agree....

And lose the amp while you're at it! You'll get even more respect if you don't use an amp!

Ditch 2 or 3 strings, too!

Let's see, no pick, no amp, 2 strings=ULTIMATE RESPECT!


Seriously, I don't even use a pick and think that statement is pretty lame...

[bluebird28]

Thank you all for all the enjoyable replies. I got the information I wanted. "Try the screen saver sheets or got to StewMac and try their Pickguard clear material it may or not stick to my basses finish." You guys are fun to learn from. I will look into both items should I report back with the results?

[AdamR]

Originally Posted by Woofer

How'd you manage that? Slapping, I'm guessing?

These SR500's seem to have a really thin finish, and I'm guessing that this is what the OP is worried about, since he says he plays fingerstyle. I've seen them get a worn spot by the neck pickup from guys anchoring their thumb there.

Still, I think fixing technique is the better bet over buying a pickguard. I learned how to play fingerstyle without anchoring my thumb on anything, so I've never really worried about finish wear from playing before. Smacking it off the cymbal riser, on the other hand...

Popping. Yeah the finish is pretty thing on them. Thats a bass I wish I never sold. Im not much of a 5 string guy but that bass played so good.

[bluebird28]

And that picture is what prompted this thread in the first place. The finish is only just a stain and is very thin. I have ordered a set of 3 screen savers for a 10" tablet and will attempt to do the cutouts for the PU's and report back hopefully with pics and a posative outcome.

[deeptubes]

Originally Posted by bluebird28

And that picture is what prompted this thread in the first place. The finish is only just a stain and is very thin. I have ordered a set of 3 screen savers for a 10" tablet and will attempt to do the cutouts for the PU's and report back hopefully with pics and a posative outcome.

The only thing you can do to avoid that is get a different bass. The lack of a durable finish is the thing that prevents me from picking one (or more) up. Some Ibby advocates say that the manufacturer intentionally uses a thin finish so that the body is easier to touch up. But, if they had a better finish, perhaps the bodies wouldn't need a touch up.

Just my opinion.

[shakman]

Originally Posted by benlauziere

You're joking right ?

There's a lot of great player that plays with a pick: Lemmy, Chris Squire, McCartney....

Lesh, Mike Gordan, JPJ, to name a few more pick using outcasts.