Whats your preference basses with or without pickguards ?

[Fuzzbass]

Yes, I prefer basses with or without guards.

 

[ThumbyAche]

+1

Depends on the bass, but mostly without.

Totally Depends on the bass, for example on my F-basses....NO pickguard but on a Jazz bass or P-Bass, WITH pickguard.

 

[bacid]

I voted without because neither of my basses have pickguards. I dig pickguards on Ricks, Fenders, and Musicmen(can you pluralize Musicman?) and other plainly painted basses. But a figured top or custom paint can be ruined by a pickguard. A pickguard on a bass with a figured top or a custom paintjob is like a sportsbra, it hides the beauty that is underneath. A pickguard on a plainly colored bass is like a corset, it covers up a little bit, but it excentuates the features at the same time.

 

[62Walnut]

Somebody mention carrotguards?

Walnut

 

[X Wolf]

If it's a "P" , "J" or "P/J" then I vote....Yes, it needs a pickguard.

If it's not then I vote....No, it doesn't necessarily need a pickguard but might look better with one on certain basses.

George

 

[afinalfantasy]

I prefer them with, but looks usually don't matter to me as long as it plays well.

 

[Would'e?]

I think nothing cheapens the look of a nice wooden instrument more than a big, tacky slab of plastic.

+100

FYI - I play with a pick 80% of the time and have never scratched my bass.

Still the pesence of a pickguard wouldn't necessarily be a deal breaker. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] is kinda cool.

 

[mark beem]

Whats your preference basses with or without pickguards ?

Depends on the bass.. Overall, I have no preference either way as it doesn't really impact my playing or the overall tone of the instrument..

I will say this; the fancier the top (read Sadowsky, Lull etc.), the less inclined I find myself toward pickguards. To me it's a shame to cover such beautiful piece wood with a piece of plastic...

But that's just me...

 

[tplyons]

Depends on the bass, but on a Fender styled bass, with. On something modern, it depends if it has classical cues.

 

[Brendan]

Totally depends on the bass.

I am, however, mostly pro-pickguard, as they are handy little buggers. You can rout stuff underneath them, easily modify them for more/less pots/switches, change the whole vibe of the bass via a color change, or throwing on some stickers, or what have you. And then back to more or less original.

Plus the whole "guarding from picks" thing.

 

[doctorjazz]

Without. Wood is beautiful. Plastic isn't.

That said, I do prefer that Fenders and EBMMs keep their pickguards. It's just part of the look of the bass.

 

[Ayliffe]

i HATE pick guards.. they make the bass look so cheap and ****** in my opinion.

 

[RWP]

I have 3 with and 3 without. I like them all.

 

[ProfGumby]

without...unless it looks better with one.

mp

That's why I voted carrots....

I like Pickguards mostly...unless a bass is just so good looking...I would probably have taken the pickguard of my blonde SX if there wasn't a cavern under it....

 

[ProfGumby]

Somebody mention carrotguards?

Walnut

I don't care who you are......that's funny right there.....

 

[Bo_H]

I guess I've never really thought about it.

Bo

 

[FunkyFlashFive]

I hate Guards but then again i hate fender too so it's all good

 

[Saetia]

Doesn't matter if I dig the feel and tone of the bass. That's all that matters... Therefore, both or doesn't matter.

Peace

-Benny

 

[Mystic Michael]

Pickguards tend to make the instrument look vintage. I much prefer the more sleek, modern look myself...

MM

 

[PunkerTrav]

Love 'em, especially tort ones.