Punkavenger 1,349 Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 Oh Jeezus I'm going to get shit for this one but here goes . I took the pickguard off my Les Paul (black 2005 standard) and I like the way it looks better. Ok no big deal, looks are subjective plus I'm not thrilled about big chunks of ugly beige plastic to begin with. But the weird thing is ... it sounds better too! I know this is illogical, but have any of you experienced the phenomena? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kizanski 15,222 Posted September 17, 2020 Share Posted September 17, 2020 5 minutes ago, Punkavenger said: ...have any of you experienced the phenomena? No. No one has. 3 2 14 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Punkavenger 1,349 Posted September 17, 2020 Author Share Posted September 17, 2020 Thank Gawd, the drugs are working. 1 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
slingblader 477 Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 Take solace knowing that the placebo effect is a real thing. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
scottcald 3,137 Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 So, what are you saying sounds better, the guitar or the pickguard? 1 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Haynie 12,193 Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 Maybe you just play better without the pickguard. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Drew816 370 Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 Not a pickguard fan, my LP's always sounded "better" without because I was more happy and played them better. Like, 0.00121% better. No reason for one, relic your axe the old fashion way, by ya know, playing it... '08 LP Classic, full Faber install, low wind Wolfetone Dr V neck, Marshallhead bridge, 50's wiring, re-freted med-jumbos. Weighs in at about 8.2 pounds... And as you can see, I don't like the poker chips either; THAT'S really leaning out man, talk about getting flack!😉 5 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Punkavenger 1,349 Posted September 19, 2020 Author Share Posted September 19, 2020 before ... 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Punkavenger 1,349 Posted September 19, 2020 Author Share Posted September 19, 2020 (edited) after ( 2005 Les Paul Ebony Standard, 8lbs 10 oz. , Bare knuckles mules, Emerson pots and wiring, Kluson locking tuners ) Edited September 19, 2020 by Punkavenger 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff R 4,337 Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 My pickguard is true bypass as well. More transparent. 11 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tommyh 13 Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 Sure, sure....but doesn't Eric Johnson think a Strat sounds better without the trem cover on the back?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobB 5,959 Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 Just now, tommyh said: Sure, sure....but doesn't Eric Johnson think a Strat sounds better without the trem cover on the back?? No. EJ, like other Strat owners, doesn't like the hassle of taking off the cover every time to adjust the spring tension. None of my trem guitars have the backplate installed. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Punkavenger 1,349 Posted September 19, 2020 Author Share Posted September 19, 2020 4 minutes ago, RobB said: No. EJ, like other Strat owners, doesn't like the hassle of taking off the cover every time to adjust the spring tension. None of my trem guitars have the backplate installed. https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/remove-backplate-on-a-strat-why.1091605/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobB 5,959 Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 TGPers are idiots. Made it thru three posts. 4 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tommyh 13 Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 Sorry, my mistake, it's the flat washer in the jack. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tommyh 13 Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Punkavenger 1,349 Posted September 20, 2020 Author Share Posted September 20, 2020 2 minutes ago, RobB said: TGPers are idiots. Made it thru three posts. lol, sorry about that. Just my dark sense of humor Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tommyh 13 Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 ...and mine (English!) 😉 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobB 5,959 Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 There are reasons to have the spring cover installed. I've done shielding jobs where the spring cavity and top routes are coated with shielding paint, the pickguard and backplate have copper/aluminum tape. It creates a sort of, "faraday cage", and does seem to quiet down the guitar. I usually find doing the top routes/pickguard sufficient. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BoogieMKIIA 466 Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 (edited) I tried mine with and without but like it best without. Don’t have a without photo but here it is with. Maybe it is the shape of the now unseen sunburst or just the very red color. Edited September 20, 2020 by BoogieMKIIA Spelling 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tbonesullivan 2,470 Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 Depends on the finish. I kinda like the classic look though. I also keep having urges to put poker chips on EVERYTHING. Kinda like this: 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
it's me HHB 3,268 Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 Um Jimmy Page had his on and so do I... 2 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
hamerhead 17,737 Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 I can't take mine off - there's 41 years of nastiness under that thing (may be some kind of rodent) that nobody wants to see. 6 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HamerDave 834 Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 (edited) If you really want to get the most out of the pickguard mod grab one of these amazing pedals..... Edited September 20, 2020 by HamerDave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
django49 9,831 Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 (edited) I guess we will never know until we check out the difference that a Brazilian Rosewood pickguard makes. Esp the tasteful tonal underpinnings resulting from the inclusion of sapwood. It, no doubt, causes the acoustic voice to bloom. All the more so if the sapwood is aligned on the treble side at the proper angle to the cutaway...😏 Lest there be any doubt, I AM joking........(Everyone KNOWS the greatest tone enhancement lies in replacing cheap plastic knobs with ones made of BRW!) Edited September 20, 2020 by django49 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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