MrSpace Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 I find myself drawn to basses without pickguards. Not sure why, I just prefer the look. Anyone else feel the same? What's the disadvantage with a lack of pickguard? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 (edited) Same here... couple of custom bodies i had made... more wood. Edited October 8, 2022 by PaulThePlug 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OliverBlackman Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 Not sure this makes any sense, but with pickguard looks like a bass guitar and without a pickguard looks like an electric bass. 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSpace Posted October 8, 2022 Author Share Posted October 8, 2022 I can understand that, interesting perspective. I guess I just prefer the simpler look of it without a pickguard. I'm also wondering if the pickguard has much of a function on a bass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 Even on guitars it's mostly just a reference to older designs, a lot of instruments that aren't leaning on 60s tropes don't have them and are mostly fine. You will see wear depending on playing style though, e.g. aggressive slap and poppers can wear through a thin finish over time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 They can also cover all manner of manufacturing side effects, as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 I don't mind them but generally lean towards not having them. When they're used to facilitate cheap and crap manufacturing processes, often on quite expensive instruments though, that's unforgivable 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asingardenof Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 3 hours ago, MrSpace said: I find myself drawn to basses without pickguards. Not sure why, I just prefer the look. Anyone else feel the same? What's the disadvantage with a lack of pickguard? I prefer no pickguard and no control plate, but am contemplating taking the guard off my Sire V7. The one thing that stops me is the holes left behind, but putting the screws back will look even worse. Decisions decisions... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSpace Posted October 8, 2022 Author Share Posted October 8, 2022 1 minute ago, asingardenof said: the holes left behind There has to be a way of filling those and colouring them to match? I'm sure someone on this forum can advise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 1 hour ago, asingardenof said: I prefer no pickguard and no control plate, but am contemplating taking the guard off my Sire V7. The one thing that stops me is the holes left behind, but putting the screws back will look even worse. Decisions decisions... Filling and matching would be a pain. Perhaps transparency would work? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asingardenof Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 6 minutes ago, Doctor J said: Filling and matching would be a pain. Perhaps transparency would work? Ooh, potentially Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulThePlug Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 Clear plates look cool... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk_lefty Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 48 minutes ago, PaulThePlug said: Clear plates look cool... I just don't see it myself. 😜 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted October 8, 2022 Share Posted October 8, 2022 11 hours ago, asingardenof said: I prefer no pickguard and no control plate, but am contemplating taking the guard off my Sire V7. The one thing that stops me is the holes left behind, but putting the screws back will look even worse. Decisions decisions... Clear acrylic worked a treat on mine. It's one of these: https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/pickguard/boston-m4v-110-tr-1-ply-pickguard-for-sire-marcus-miller-v-transparent But be warned - it's a poor fit & the pickup hole & heel cutout needed lots of careful filing to get it to fit. Looks great now but took hours of fiddling to get it right. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vin Venal Posted October 9, 2022 Share Posted October 9, 2022 Personally I prefer the aesthetics of a pickguard, and it's a fun easy way to change the looks of an instrument, which is half the fun imo. I do agree with perspectives above though that pickguards from a manufacturers point of view are often about cost saving and easier mass manufacturing - much easier to just rout everything out from the front and cover it with a bit of plastic. On more expensive instruments with nicer looking wood and finishes I'm more inclined to leave it off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jd56hawk Posted October 9, 2022 Share Posted October 9, 2022 (edited) I put pickguards on basses that don't usually have them. Edited October 9, 2022 by jd56hawk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazycloud Posted October 9, 2022 Share Posted October 9, 2022 (edited) On 08/10/2022 at 19:23, MrSpace said: I find myself drawn to basses without pickguards. Not sure why, I just prefer the look. Anyone else feel the same? Yes, I hate PGs (and control plates) and none of my main players have them. On 08/10/2022 at 19:23, MrSpace said: What's the disadvantage with a lack of pickguard? None. I don't see an advantage to one unless you're super agressive with a pick, which is certainly not me. Edited October 9, 2022 by crazycloud 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dclaassen Posted October 12, 2022 Share Posted October 12, 2022 (edited) Not a pickguard in sight... Edited October 12, 2022 by dclaassen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted October 13, 2022 Share Posted October 13, 2022 (edited) Eh, it doesn't bother me either way. Got all the main types No pickguard - Epiphone Les Paul Standard bass Traditional, screwed down pickguard - G&L Tribute LB-100 Weird-a$$ pickguard attached with a bracket - Epiphone Jack Casady No pickguard but has control plate - G&L CLF L-1000, Reverend Triad They are what they are. The only "disadvantage" I can see of not having a pickguard is for the manufacturer, who has to rout the body front and back now instead of just in the front. Edited October 13, 2022 by neepheid Stoopid swear filter 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neepheid Posted October 13, 2022 Share Posted October 13, 2022 Really, swear filter? A$$ is an animal. Weird-a$$ is a colloquial adjective. It doesn't necessarily mean "bum". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSpace Posted October 13, 2022 Author Share Posted October 13, 2022 I did wonder if wierd-donkey was a special kind of pickguard that I hadn't heard of 😄 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralf1e Posted October 14, 2022 Share Posted October 14, 2022 On 08/10/2022 at 11:43, MrSpace said: I can understand that, interesting perspective. I guess I just prefer the simpler look of it without a pickguard. I'm also wondering if the pickguard has much of a function on a bass? Yes it makes easier to make as you just cover up bad routing with a bit of plastic 😀 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goonerjoe Posted October 14, 2022 Share Posted October 14, 2022 On 08/10/2022 at 10:30, OliverBlackman said: Not sure this makes any sense, but with pickguard looks like a bass guitar and without a pickguard looks like an electric bass. This sums it up perfectly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted October 14, 2022 Share Posted October 14, 2022 On 08/10/2022 at 17:08, uk_lefty said: I just don't see it myself. 😜 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevan Posted October 14, 2022 Share Posted October 14, 2022 MIJ 62 JB reissue. Came with a black plate but so much nicer with it off I think. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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