To. guard or not to guard, that is the question?

[rickhale]

I just picked up this Epi JC. I don't play with a pick so I thought I'd remove it... purely for cosmetic reasons.
Yeah or Nay?

 

[Iridescentone]

I vote not guard. But then you don't have the cool Epiphone "E" logo, so...

 

[covermego]

I am mostly a pickguard-kinda guy......... but that nekkid JC bass looks most excellent!

 

[el jeffe bass]

No guard

 

[illusmcbillus]

Make it where the pick guard comes off and flies around the crowd and then lands back on the bass during your solo. Yeah, that's my vote.

 

[feterpatch]

No guard.

That is all....

 

[bwildt]

Depends on the look you are going for. I find the pickguard to give off a strong retro vibe. In my case, I would keep it.

 

[rickhale]

I vote not guard. But then you don't have the cool Epiphone "E" logo, so...

Still have the "E" logo on the truss cover on the neck.

 

[rickhale]

I am mostly a pickguard-kinda guy......... but that nekkid JC bass looks most excellent!

Agreed!

 

[rickhale]

Depends on the look you are going for. I find the pickguard to give off a strong retro vibe. In my case, I would keep it.

It's tucked away, safe & sound. Just in case I change my mind.

 

[rickhale]

I vote not guard. But then you don't have the cool Epiphone "E" logo, so...

Still have the "E" on the neck's truss cover.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

Nekked!

 

[CletusMarley]

That looks great without the pg!

 

[GIBrat51]

I just picked up this Epi JC. I don't play with a pick so I thought I'd remove it... purely for cosmetic reasons.
Yeah or Nay?

View attachment 7405943

well...
It's your bass, so... do what you want. Personally? I've had a bunch of hollow body basses and guitars over the years; and, still own several of each. If they came to me with a pickguard, they kept them. Even the ones with (yuck) tort pickguards - which I really don't care for... If the pickguard was missing? I didn't try very hard to find one for them. They simply were what they were... As for my Jack Casady Bass? The pickguard will stay where it is. TBH? I think it looks... kind of odd, without it. But, you do you - by all means...

 

[Iristone]

I almost always prefer a guard, and in this case I'd keep the white one. If it's the black version I'd remove it, though.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

Depends on the look you are going for. I find the pickguard to give off a strong retro vibe. In my case, I would keep it.

I'm wondering what kind of repertoire the OP is playing on it. If the music is consciously retro, keep the pg to match. If it isn't, then etc etc

 

[Wyrdlow]

I think it looks better without. If I snag one of these, it'll be coming off for sure.

 

[Clark W]

I just picked up this Epi JC. I don't play with a pick so I thought I'd remove it... purely for cosmetic reasons.
Yeah or Nay?

View attachment 7405943

Sweet bass! No guard.

 

[Geogio]

I had a hollow Ibanez with a pickguard, and a Höfner... I remove them because they rattle when lower register tones are played. After a remove the pick guard, I usually store it in the case with its mounting hardware.

 

[Swerve]

I’d keep it on. Like fhe Dude’s rug it ties everything together.