Why would you make something to protect the finish of a bit of wood - and then make a whole bunch of nasty holes in the bit of wood so you can mount it?
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Pickguards are stupid
- Thread starter topo morto
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I would say because it's alot easier and less costly to swap out a scratched up pickguard than it is to swap out a scratched up bass body. Besides, when the pickguard is on the body on my basses, I can't see those holes.
But I can certainly understand why some bassists prefer the look of a bass that has no pickguard. I have seen some brand new basses for sale that do not come with pickguards (see link below for examples). It's all personal preference I guess. I like having different choices.
http://www.lakland.com/basses.htm
It often does. It's the same with women - sadly they often look better with their clothes on. But sometimes you meet that special girl who looks better naked. What if her clothes had been screwed on and then she had holes all over her? Well basses don't bleed so it's not quite the same, but still...
All humans are born with no clothes on, so I don't think that analogy works.
Some basses come from the factory with pickguards, and some don't. If you prefer the look without a pickguard (as some TB'ers do), then my recommendation would be to buy a bass that comes from the factory with no pickguard.
Yeah, not quite the same is it?
Still, I am going to carry an electric screwdriver around for next time I see a girl in a nice dress.
- Feb 8, 2005
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- Endorsing Artist: Bag End - Dean Markley - Thunderfunk
I agree when the bass in question has attractive wood grain...in those cases I hate pickguards covering it up. But for solid colors, a lot of times pickguards can break it up and actually make the bass look better.
Dude, if you are equating a bass to a naked woman, you seriously need to get la..... uh...... more time with naked women.
On the other side of the pond, they are often referred to as "scratch plates". There's a REASON for them. And that reason is exactly what Sacto said. It is a lot easier, and a lot less costly to replace something that screws on the surface than it is to replace the top of a bass body when it gets scratched.
Plus, I would argue that on some basses, the pick guard has become part of the overall aesthetics of the bass. Some basses would look silly without them.
Either way, buy a bass WITHOUT one. Or have a bass MADE without one. Problem solved.
(You do realize that a metric crapload of basses come without them, right?)
On the other side of the pond, they are often referred to as "scratch plates". There's a REASON for them. And that reason is exactly what Sacto said. It is a lot easier, and a lot less costly to replace something that screws on the surface than it is to replace the top of a bass body when it gets scratched.
Plus, I would argue that on some basses, the pick guard has become part of the overall aesthetics of the bass. Some basses would look silly without them.
Either way, buy a bass WITHOUT one. Or have a bass MADE without one. Problem solved.
(You do realize that a metric crapload of basses come without them, right?)
An excellent suggestion, a little too late sadly.
Time to work out what to fill the holes with.
If you wanted a bass without a PG, shouldnt you have bought one without it and not have to worry about the holes later?
I can envision a situation where a person has a bass they really like, except for the pickguard. In that scenario (and assuming that bass is not available without a pickguard), an option would be to have a luthier fill in the holes and refinish the bass. Sure, it would cost some bucks, but if it's worth it to that person, then that's an option.
Pickguards aren't stupid, because they're inanimate objects - however, people who buy basses with pickguards, then complain about it are stupid, IMO...
- georgestrings
- georgestrings
Clear pickguard?
Regardless, I like them aesthetically, as well as functionally. I think a jazz looks utterly wrong without a pickguard.
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