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Just scored a Wine red studio. Gold hardware, black rings and pickguard. Im trying to decide to keep the pickguard or not. Keep it looks classic, off has screw holes, but shows more color and wood. I figure with the slope of the arched top, I prob wont get alot of pickmarks.
Whatcha think?

I just picked up a used LP Classic with an incorrect pickguard, so I took it off. I doubt that you'll scratch things up too much, but I find that the treble E string sometimes hits my little finger at the first joint -- I have visions of slicing off the tip of my pinky. Unlikely, but probably not a good thing in any case. So I'm replacing the pg with a proper one.

BTW, I also have a wine red/gold LP Studio that is very nice, so congrats!

I wonder how it would look with a high gloss polished brass or goldtinted mirror pickgaurd,or even a transparent pickgaurd?

I had the pickguard off a LP Standard for over ten years and I don't recall that I could even see any marks. Those Studios are very nice. Way to go.

I also took my pickguard off - no need on a les paul amp; looks better without IMO

easy 4-step program to solving this problem
1)take a pic with it on
2)take a pic with it off
3)compare
4)the one that looks better in YOUR opinion is the winner

The Les Paul looks best without a pick guard in my opinion. But regarding the scratches, I had a Standard for about 10 years, played it almost every day, played gigs with it at least twice a week, and the finish was worn through between the pickups.

I prefer them without pickguards.

I am a die hard pick guard fan on LP's. That's the way they were in the glory years 57-60, and I personally don't think they look right without. If it's good enough for a $200,000 original burst, it's good enough for my humble Standard or 57' RI. YMMV and IMHO only.

By the way, I have seen those clear pickguards, and people who put those on need to be drawn and quartered, again...IMO.

i dont think ive ever prefered an LP with the pickguard on instead of no pickguard

I feel like a dumba*s-it just occured to me that PRS and Hardtails don't have pickgaurd's .And those are instruments very comparable in cost and quality.


Originally Posted by JohnJohnI feel like a dumba*s-it just occured to me that PRS and Hardtails don't have pickgaurd's .And those are instruments very comparable in cost and quality.

I'm unclear as to how that makes you a dumb sh!t...please elaborate.


Originally Posted by Jeff_HI'm unclear as to how that makes you a dumb sh!t...please elaborate.

Because I posted about some options without thinking about it.


Originally Posted by JohnJohnI wonder how it would look with a high gloss polished brass or goldtinted mirror pickgaurd,or even a transparent pickgaurd?Originally Posted by JohnJohn, A Guy With Bad TasteBecause I posted about some options without thinking about it.

I've seen all three types of picguards on Les Pauls, or offered for Les Pauls, so I didn't think it a stupid response at all. It means you have questionable taste....but it's not like we didn't know that already!

For me it depends on the top. My R8 is really figured maple The no pickguard look favors it, yet, when I went to UGD, I put it back on. No need traveling with a nekkid guitar. MyR7 and R6 both have them on.

The R8 is nekkid again after getting back home. The prettier the top, the less I want the guard on. Take a shapie fine point marker and fill in the hole with some ink. You won't see it as much.

I also have a wine red studio

The pickguard is tucked safely into a box with the rest of my stock parts.


Originally Posted by KelseyI just picked up a used LP Classic with an incorrect pickguard, so I took it off. I doubt that you'll scratch things up too much, but I find that the treble E string sometimes hits my little finger at the first joint -- I have visions of slicing off the tip of my pinky. Unlikely, but probably not a good thing in any case. So I'm replacing the pg with a proper one.

BTW, I also have a wine red/gold LP Studio that is very nice, so congrats!
Thank you!!! Back atcha!!


Originally Posted by MVII had the pickguard off a LP Standard for over ten years and I don't recall that I could even see any marks. Those Studios are very nice. Way to go.

Thanks!! Im stoked! Ive played some that werent so nice, but this one has mojo.. The whole thing vibrates so it feels alive in my hands.. MMMMMM


Originally Posted by Nite_Maresz_25easy 4-step program to solving this problem
1)take a pic with it on
2)take a pic with it off
3)compare
4)the one that looks better in YOUR opinion is the winner
Very wise poor 13 year old!!
I did the next best thing.. Put the guitar on, looked in a mirror. Made my best pout faces. Took the pickguard off, put the guitar on, looked in a mirror, again made the best pout faces.
Put the pickguard and screws in a baggie and put it in the case compartment. Naked wins!
Thanks to all for the input. Just for the record, the only reason I almost left it on is cuz of the nostalgia.. Also, just for the record, I was kidding about the pout faces.. hee hee