The function of a pickgaurd.

[Kwesi]

I just recently started using a pick. I never had anything against it in the first place but the way I play has been going in a direction that would really work with a pick, and it it has . However, when I play I don't find myself striking anywhere close to the body of the bass. My bass doesn't have a pickguard and I have yet to even think that I could scratch the body by playing with a pick.

I'm wondering were bass pickguards included in the design as a "just incase" measure or a necessary component? Does anyone find that they actually "use" their pickguard when playing with pick?

 

[Nev375]

No, but I had a bass without one when I was learning to slap and my fingernails wore through the finish under the D and G strings. So I call mine more of a fingernail-guard.

 

[Vaider]

I made my pickgaurd to hide the 'wonderful stuff' underneath it lol. More of a cover for me.

 

[EtoG]

However, when I play I don't find myself striking anywhere close to the body of the bass. My bass doesn't have a pickguard and I have yet to even think that I could scratch the body by playing with a pick.

Same goes for me, man. I've known a few guitarists that strike very aggressively and practically attack the body of their instruments. I feel sorry for the poor guitar while I watch them play.

 

[Mofo-Kang]

No, but I had a bass without one when I was learning to slap and my fingernails wore through the finish under the D and G strings. So I call mine more of a fingernail-guard.

Check out the finish on Vic Wooten's Fodera...

 

[A-Step-Towards]

Pickguards mainly became popular with fenders and thats so you can mass produced an instrument. A strat has all componets wired to the guard except conecting a wire to the jack , simply slap into body and your done, instead of wire pickups through routes from a rear control area like a gibson.

Its about saving money , so of the first arch tops were to protect finish. Think about a fender though , your protecting the finish yet you will never see that finish so in a way its pointless anyways.

 

[Ric5]

Pickguards were designed for guitars and players strumming chords. When you strum chords you can hit the body of the guitar with the pick.

 

[Jon_West]

Pickguards mainly became popular with fenders and thats so you can mass produced an instrument. A strat has all componets wired to the guard except conecting a wire to the jack , simply slap into body and your done, instead of wire pickups through routes from a rear control area like a gibson.

Its about saving money , so of the first arch tops were to protect finish. Think about a fender though , your protecting the finish yet you will never see that finish so in a way its pointless anyways.

This.
Bass pickguards serve no real use aside from aesthetics (which is a good enough reason for me )

 

[Darkstrike]

A friend of mine who plays guitar used to always joke, "Why would I want a pickguard, sure to use it I'd have to drill sevral holes in my guitar, isn't that damaging the finish anyway?"


Then again, Marcel Jacob may disagree....



....little bit of wear on the guard there...

 

[SpectorDetector]

When I got my used Sadowsky Metro, I couldn't believe how much wear was on the pickguard, it was amazing.

 

[Nev375]

Its about saving money , so of the first arch tops were to protect finish. Think about a fender though , your protecting the finish yet you will never see that finish so in a way its pointless anyways.

It is pointless to save money by only replacing a hunk of plastic rather than refinishing an entire instrument?

 

[bassbenj]

It is pointless to save money by only replacing a hunk of plastic rather than refinishing an entire instrument?

Exactly. Plus it lets you change the "look" of your bass (or guitar) easily an cheaply.

When I started using a pick more extensively and playing guitar more I was VERY surprised at how much wear appeared on the pickguards after some hours of playing, even though I was SURE that the pick was only contacting the strings. Not so.

 

[elgranluis]

remove the pickguard and check how many scratches it has. Then you'll know what the pickguard is for.

 

[lunarpollen]

Functionality of a pickguard will depend on your technique/style. Some people may find them to be completely useless. Others may find them very useful. Personally I think they make an instrument look "well dressed," I think all instruments look better with them. Funny because my current main bass didn't come with one....

 

[Darkstrike]

I've often heard of slap players loving pickguards because without them there's too much air between the body and strings.

I'd assume their fingers get snagged on the pops, or something...

 

[EtoG]

Personally I think they make an instrument look "well dressed," I think all instruments look better with them.

I'm a bit strange in that sense; I prefer sunburst basses without pickguards but single color finishes with pickguards...

 

[onionpuzzle]

a better question would be why the thumb-rest looking thing was on the bottom, below the G string on the early P basses.

 

[Chrisk-K]

I've found no matter what amp or bass I use I sound like me.
I guess I meant voice not tone.

A tone doesn't exist in vacuum; it coexist with phrasing. What you hear is your phrasing. That's why regardless of gear, it sounds like you.

Let Geddy, Flea, Wooten, you and me pluck the E string of your bass just once and let it ring. We'll all sound the same.

 

[basstotheface]

I'm a bit strange in that sense; I prefer sunburst basses without pickguards but single color finishes with pickguards...

I'm the same way, mostly because I find the sunburst have more going on, therefore I feel pickguards are overkill, unless it is a MM. But solid colors are plain without one and the pickguard adds that extra something.

 

[basstotheface]

A tone doesn't exist in vacuum; it coexist with phrasing. What you hear is your phrasing. That's why regardless of gear, it sounds like you.

Let Geddy, Flea, Wooten, you and me pluck the E string of your bass just once and let it ring. We'll all sound the same.

What?