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

[Yahboy]

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

No bra . ThNk you

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Off.

ENJOY!

 

[cymbop]

No pick guard, no sticker under the vari knob, gold chickenhead.

 

[lomo]

I generally prefer a PG, but to my eye that one looks "forced" and esthetically detracts. I vote no.

 

[brianrost]

I prefer the no-guard look. Too bad modern Fenders have routes for the wiring that make it impractical.

On the other hand, there's a good reason for pickguards:

 

[P Coburn]

Without.

 

[2saddleslab]

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

I agree w/ you & The Dude.

 

[muggsy]

I used to have one of those and a buddy of mine got JC to sign the pickguard. I kept it off and preferred the look, but I don't play with a pick.

 

[dabbler]

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

I don't play with a pick either, so for aesthetic reasons, IF it were mine, I'd take it off.

 

[Low Main]

I haven't joined any clubs, but if there's a "My Casady Guard Has Been In The Parts Bin For Years" club, I'm qualified to be a member.

The Epi plastic has a tired hospital cafeteria look.

Plus I prefer to see both eff holes.

Another option is to use the existing guard as a template and make a new guard out of nicer material.

 

[Hnz]

No guard

 

[Wyrdlow]

View attachment 7406210
No pick guard, no sticker under the vari knob, gold chickenhead.

Now we're talking! That looks great.

 

[Passinwind]

I generally hate plastic of any kind (especially white) but in this case the white pickup and selector plate arguably stand out too much without the scratch plate to tie it together.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

Don't remove it. I hate seeing holes in the body where pickguard screws were

 

[cymbop]

Now we're talking! That looks great.

The fake binding on the f-holes is automotive pinstriping tape.

The farther away you are from it, the better it looks.

 

[gln1955]

The pick guard over the f-hole and having two shades of white where it butts up against the pickup cover is a poor aesthetic. Off with its head!

 

[Deleted member 394181]

Imo Basses look better without puckguards, but, in my case i have to have one, or ill damage the finish. So, unless you dont damage, or dont care if you damsge the bass....

 

[Wyrdlow]

The fake binding on the f-holes is automotive pinstriping tape.

The farther away you are from it, the better it looks.

Very much like myself!

 

[rickhale]

View attachment 7406210
No pick guard, no sticker under the vari knob, gold chickenhead.

Good idea on 'sticker' . Did you have trouble getting yours off? I'd hate to damage the finish.

 

[rickhale]

I prefer the no-guard look. Too bad modern Fenders have routes for the wiring that make it impractical.

On the other hand, there's a good reason for pickguards:

View attachment 7406215

View attachment 7406217

I don't use a pick.