Gibson Les Paul Standard Pickguard

nyron59

Why don't new LP Standards have pickguards, as standard? All the 50s and 60s Standards that I have seen (Duane Allman, Jimmy Page etc) have Pickguards. When did Gibson dispense with this for Standards - the Classics seem to come with them?

Isn't it advisable to have a Pickguard to protect the LP - are they easy to have fitted?

herb · Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 7:22 am Post subject:

Here in the USA, Les Pauls have been shipped from the factory without the pickguards mounted for many years. They are supposed to have the pickguards and mounting hardware in the storage pocket in the case, though. This way the customer has the option of whether or not the pickguard is mounted on the guitar. It is a simple mounting - 2 screws; one through the side bracket and into the binding, and the one in the "top" of the pickguard through the hole directly into the body surface.

SAguitar · Posted: Tue Jan 01, 2008 10:22 am Post subject:

For protection, it is advisable to have one, at least for me. I get a little physical sometimes and could easily scratch the face with a pick without one. Some of the nice flame jobs and finishes look so nice that a lot of players like to leave them off. Gibson just made it the customer's choice. Cool

nyron59 · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:45 am Post subject:

Thanks for the responses. V helpful.

In the absence of pre-drilled holes, it is easy enough to simply install the 2 screws (a) without actually drilling holes and (b) without damaging the paintwork (apart from the hole itself!)?

Have a great New Year.

SAguitar · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 12:22 pm Post subject:

NO!

I would heartily recommend that you drill the holes!

Les Pauls have a maple top, and maple is a very hard wood. Without the hole there for the screw to thread into, it is highly likely that the screw would wander around on the surface, leaving an even uglier scar. And the screw hole must be the correct size! Again, with maple being very hard, if the screw hole is to small, the tiny screw shaft will bind, and quite possibly snap off. This happens, I've done it, so I would urge you to drill first.

Locate the hole position on the face of the guitar first, up by the end of the neck. Then it is easy to determine where the other one must go.

Stay tuned,
Stan

Jack Daniels · Growing Lion Joined: 29 May 2004 Posts: 879

Why would you want to cover this up?

SAguitar · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:06 pm Post subject:

Well, I wouldn't want to! But I'd have to make myself play "nice" if I was gonna try a beauty like that. Cool

nyron59 · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 11:25 am Post subject:

Thanks SAguitar - that's truly helpful advice. Now I know exactly how it's done! DIY is not a strong point.

Jack Daniels - what a truly beautiful guitar...but I agree with SAguitar. Surely you'll have to play delicately or risk pick marks?

SAguitar · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 2:17 pm Post subject:

Truly, Pete Townsend windmills would not be advised for Carmella. Cool

1999nbmZ · Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject:

Do a search for les paul screwless pickguard. I saw them advertised on one of the other forums, and they would be perfect for a guitar that doesn't have holes in it already.

SAguitar · Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject:

Wow, I've never seen any of those! That could come in handy.

Welcome to the Forum, 1999nbmZ! Cool

bscott · Newbie Alert Joined: 30 Mar 2008 Posts: 4

Why not try a clear pick guard. Lexan or some other clear plastic. If it is the same thickness as a regular pick guard then when it gets scratched up you can re-polish it to a see through state again.
I would agree with SA - I wouldn't want to cover that up either. That is why i suggest a clear pick guard.

Brian

95strat · Cobra Joined: 29 Oct 2005 Posts: 487 Location: Canada

SAguitar · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 5:53 am Post subject:

Dang, 95! You'd have to have two scratchplates on there!

2manyGuitars · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 8:24 pm Post subject:

I've always loved that way of thinking...
"I don't want the top of my LP to get scratched, so I'd better drill some holes and put a couple of screws in there to keep it perfect."

?!?!?!?!?

I know, I know... they're trying to prevent large areas of wear that would look worse than a couple of small holes, but it just sounds funny when you think about it. Wink

I'm also fortunate enough to have one of those tops that no one in their right mind could take a drill to (the middle one).