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threadmaker · August 7th, 2012, 12:33 AM

For a standard tele, not a 69/72 style, the pickguard isn't absolutely necessary is it?

If the neck pickup is body mounted and secure then it won't need the pickguard to 'guide' it, so building a tele guardless is fine right?

Turmoil · August 7th, 2012, 12:35 AM

Right.

Turmoil · August 7th, 2012, 12:40 AM

Ask Billy.

twiggymac · August 7th, 2012, 01:31 AM

well it is there to protect the finish from the pick, but with some people it isnt a problem. also some people use it to hold picks in place, while others might be hiding a bad looking pickup route. and then for i think most people who use them they just like them aesthetically.

personally im in the latter boat, but it has many uses, most of which arent original intentions

stevieboy · August 7th, 2012, 01:44 AM

They protect the finish under the pickguard, which you can't see, because there's a pickguard in the way.

Oh, and they look good.

Thinlineggman · August 7th, 2012, 02:42 AM

They're great pick holders! The one downfall of acoustic guitars, no place to stash picks!!!

They also make it easy to change up the look of your instrument.

Bri-Sonic · August 7th, 2012, 03:03 AM

Aesthetics and protection are two important functions. On some guitars (like the Strat) they also help speed up assembly - the p/g can be wired up and tested and then just dropped into the finished body.

I personally think a Tele looks a little odd without one!

NastyMojo · August 7th, 2012, 01:15 PM

First thing to do is remove the pickguard!

Gnobuddy · August 7th, 2012, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thinlineggman

The one downfall of acoustic guitars, no place to stash picks!!!

I have a friend who weaves spare picks between the strings on the headstock side of the nut on his acoustic guitars.

It works well, though the pick is gripped rather tightly because of the short length of the strings between nut and tuning head.

-Gnobuddy

Thinlineggman · August 9th, 2012, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gnobuddy

I have a friend who weaves spare picks between the strings on the headstock side of the nut on his acoustic guitars.

It works well, though the pick is gripped rather tightly because of the short length of the strings between nut and tuning head.

-Gnobuddy

That is a good way to take your guitar out of tune! I had a buddy that played a les Paul, and he would do that. Every time he pulled a pick out, three of his strings would suddenly be flat:P

Thank for the suggestion though:) I only really play acoustic at church, so I can throw the extras on the music stand for quick grabbing.

JimmieT · August 10th, 2012, 07:13 PM

The pickguard is to guard your picks against pick assassins.

jefrs · August 10th, 2012, 07:24 PM

It keeps the mojo dust in that little cavity under the pickguard

glen smith · August 10th, 2012, 07:43 PM

Since it actually protects the body, it should be called a "bodyguard".

jefrs · August 10th, 2012, 08:04 PM

No, no, it actually protects your pick from the telecaster body.

Turtleface · August 10th, 2012, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jefrs

No, no, it actually protects your pick from the telecaster body.

This is true. Telecasters are notoriously tough, and without one, they destroy picks in a matter of minutes!

Seasicksailor · August 11th, 2012, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmieT

The pickguard is to guard your picks against pick assassins.

Ironbird · August 21st, 2012, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmieT

The pickguard is to guard your picks against pick assassins.

This is hilarious! Haha!

Sent from my HTC Incredible S using TDPRI

tfsails · August 21st, 2012, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thinlineggman

They're great pick holders! The one downfall of acoustic guitars, no place to stash picks!!!

I stash my picks between strings 1-3 on the neck side of the nut. Works good, lasts a long time!

waparker4 · August 21st, 2012, 04:33 PM

The pickguard is there to collect static electricity and cause clicks and pops during playing.

August 7th, 2012, 12:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
threadmaker Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: somewhere Posts: 137	Function of the pickguard For a standard tele, not a 69/72 style, the pickguard isn't absolutely necessary is it? If the neck pickup is body mounted and secure then it won't need the pickguard to 'guide' it, so building a tele guardless is fine right?

August 7th, 2012, 12:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
Turmoil Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Seattle Posts: 249	Ask Billy. Attached Images

August 7th, 2012, 01:31 AM	#4 (permalink)
twiggymac Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Massachusetts - United States Age: 19 Posts: 570	well it is there to protect the finish from the pick, but with some people it isnt a problem. also some people use it to hold picks in place, while others might be hiding a bad looking pickup route. and then for i think most people who use them they just like them aesthetically. personally im in the latter boat, but it has many uses, most of which arent original intentions __________________ ~twiggy "walk on"

August 7th, 2012, 01:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
stevieboy Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: the valley Age: 61 Posts: 5,663 6 Photos	They protect the finish under the pickguard, which you can't see, because there's a pickguard in the way. Oh, and they look good. __________________ "... I'm gonna show you the inside of me." Albert Collins

August 7th, 2012, 01:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
NastyMojo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Louisville,Tn Posts: 1,180	First thing to do is remove the pickguard! __________________ "To this day I don't have a guitar idol. I have people who are my favorites". -Randy Rhoads

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August 7th, 2012, 12:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
Turmoil Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Seattle Posts: 249	Right.

August 7th, 2012, 02:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
Thinlineggman Tele-Holic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Oregon City, OR Posts: 989	They're great pick holders! The one downfall of acoustic guitars, no place to stash picks!!! They also make it easy to change up the look of your instrument.

August 7th, 2012, 03:03 AM	#7 (permalink)
Bri-Sonic Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Warwick, UK Posts: 124	Aesthetics and protection are two important functions. On some guitars (like the Strat) they also help speed up assembly - the p/g can be wired up and tested and then just dropped into the finished body. I personally think a Tele looks a little odd without one!

August 10th, 2012, 07:13 PM	#11 (permalink)
JimmieT Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Age: 61 Posts: 294	The pickguard is to guard your picks against pick assassins.

August 10th, 2012, 07:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
jefrs Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Newbury, England Age: 58 Posts: 11,207 5 Photos	It keeps the mojo dust in that little cavity under the pickguard __________________ There's two kinds of people, those that hear the music and those that don't.

August 10th, 2012, 07:43 PM	#13 (permalink)
glen smith Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Quebec, Canada Age: 63 Posts: 3,830	Since it actually protects the body, it should be called a "bodyguard".

August 10th, 2012, 08:04 PM	#14 (permalink)
jefrs Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Newbury, England Age: 58 Posts: 11,207 5 Photos	No, no, it actually protects your pick from the telecaster body. __________________ There's two kinds of people, those that hear the music and those that don't.

August 21st, 2012, 04:33 PM	#19 (permalink)
waparker4 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 4,820	The pickguard is there to collect static electricity and cause clicks and pops during playing.

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