archtop pickguard

[limjaz]

Good Day! This is my first post here and Im hoping some of you guys can help me out

Im wondering about the pickguards on acoustic / electric, solid wood carved archtops. How do you usually install them on the guitar? I have seen some pictures of Benedettos and some other high end archtops and they dont seem to screw it into the body. and would screwing them into the top portion of the guitar ( i.e. L5 ) have any detrimental effects on the acoustic properties of the archtop? Btw, my pickups are floating

Pictures would be really helpful!

Looking forward to hear your responses. Thanks!

[kamlapati]

Most modern makers agree that you shouldn't screw anything into the top. The early L-5s had a pickguard attached via a small block attached to the neck, and a bracket to the side. In the 70's Gibson changed the attachment at the neck to one on the body, and although the contact point as less than 1 cm sq, and it was next in a portion of the top that hardly moves, afficionados complained loudly. Now they use the small block attached to the neck again, I believe.

But just for info, I have a '77 L-5 with the body attachment and the guitar still sounds great. If that is the only thing wrong with a great guitar, you probably aren't going to notice.

[oldane]

Most pickguards are secured in two places.

First place is via the visible bracket to the side of the box. The bracket can be fastede to the pickguar with a small bolt and nut or be glued to the pickguard, so no screw is seen.

Second place is to the side of the neck extension. That can be done by means of one or two screws or via small pins installed in the neck extension which fit in small holes in a wood/plastic block glued to the underside of the pickguard. On cheaper guitars there sometimes is just a screw directly into the top alongside the neck extension. If this screw goes down in the neck block, it shouldn't hinder top vibrations, because the top doesn't vibrate where it's glued to the neck block, but if it goes down in the top only, it will likely dampen the vibrations. In addition, there's an added risk of top cracks through the screw hole if it is a carved spruce top (laminated tops should be more robust).

I have an old cheapo Gretsch New Yorker with a screw through the top and down in the neck block. It doesn't sound any different with or without the pickguard. The neck block is likely the most robust part of the guitar, so if anything must be screwed into the guitar, that's the place that can take it best. Many guitars have strap buttons screwed into the neckblock just beside the neck heel with no ill effect. Of course, one has to check with a mirror in the box, that the neck block is big enough, so the screw actually goes into the block and not outside of it. One has to predrill a hole for the screw, so no excessive pressure is applied which may crack the wood. If in doubt, have an experienced guitar technician do it.

Small/narrow pickguards are often fixed only to the neck extension and have no bracket, but this design is of course more fragile, though it looks more elegant. This design necessitates at least two screws/pins, so the pickguard will not pivot around the screw/pin.

[woyvel]

Okay, I have to ask why a pickguard is necessary. If you play fingerstyle or don't use a pick like a bluegrass strummer, why have one? I took mine off and the guitar is much more attractive.

[DaveS]

In the archtop world, pickguards are more often (& more properly) called "fingerrests", which also addresses the why. With the typical amount of string elevation however (vs a flattop), it's entirely feasable to leave it off, particularly if no floating pickup is planned (see avatar).
My fingerrests are normally neck-attached only (with a small, felt "shock pad" underneath)

[oldane]

Originally Posted by woyvel

Okay, I have to ask why a pickguard is necessary. If you play fingerstyle or don't use a pick like a bluegrass strummer, why have one? I took mine off and the guitar is much more attractive.

Right. For classic big band rhythm guitar and western swing, the pickguard actually protects the top against the pick. For most other styles the pickguard is more a fingerrest - and for some purely a decoration. I like to have a support for the fingers also when plying softer styles, so I keep my pickguards on. And many times the pickguard has become a integrated design element in the guitar. Just think about old Epiphone Emperors, Strombergs and D'Angelicos. Even if I had no use for it, I would never remove the art deco pickguard from an original D'Angelico New Yorker (not that I have such an instrument) - just like one wouldn't replace the frequensator tailpiece on an old Epiphone with anything but another frequensator.

[limjaz]

Thanks! I think I saw a benedetto pickguard for sale at Stew Mac. im gonna check that out too. thanks guys!