Why do some guitars have pickguards?

The main purpose of the pickguard is to protect the guitar’s finish from being scratched by the guitar pick. Expensive guitars may have luxury pickguards made from exotic woods, furs, skins, gems, precious metals, Mother of Pearl and abalone pearl.

Does pickguard affect tone?

Answer: William, the pickguard is part of the package of the sound. A guitar that has a pickguard sounds like itself, and a guitar without a pickguard sounds like itself. We make a lot of guitars without pickguards, not so much for sound, but for looks. Either way, the guitars sound good.

Does a metal pickguard affect tone?

Reason Number 1: Metal pickguards and control plates have the effect of reducing interference in your tone circuit. The aluminum pickguards also have an effect with certain single coil pickups that is described by some players as “smoothing the tone”.

Do guitars need pickguards?

Pickguards are used to protect the finish of your guitar. If you play with a pick and want to preserve the finish of the guitar then a pickguard is necessary. If you don’t use a pick and/or don’t mind minor scratches or signs of wear from strumming a pickguard isn’t strictly necessary.

Does pickguard affect sound acoustic guitar?

The answer is yes, but it turns out to be more complex than the reason for an acoustic. The more resonant or “alive” a guitar is, the more a pickguard can affect its natural tone, and thus, the amplified sound.

Do I need a pickguard?

Is it hard to change a pickguard?

Replacing your pickguard is a relatively simple undertaking, but as with any guitar mod, it’s important to plan ahead by having the right tools and understanding each step of the operation.

Are pickguards necessary?

Do electric guitars need pickguards?

Most guitars don’t need pickguards, because most people don’t harm their guitar with a pick. Even those with pickguards have them for cosmetic reasons.

Does pickguard matter?

So are pickguards really necessary? The truth is, no, not at all. They simply add to the aesthetics, and protect the finish of the guitar. But if you’re careful, and don’t strum the face of your guitar with your pick, then your won’t need to protect it with a pickguard.