Pickguard

[ukmando]

I was wondering how many people use a pickguard, and if so which is the best in your opinion. Would you only use one if you plant your fingers, or is it just for protection of the mandolin. They seem quite expensive, so i was wondering what it's all about really. Is it worth an investment? and are they easy to fit.
Thanks

[Ivan Kelsall]

''Do you really need one'' is the first question to ask. If you plant your finger on the top,or,if you tend to really dig deep when playing & get close to the top,then yes,i'd say that one could be a requirement for you. If you don't do either of these things,then no,you don't need one unless it's as a 'cosmetic' thing.
Re.fitting.I don't think that they are difficult to fit.It depends on which type you purchase. If you do go for one,then the Cumberland Acoustic guards seem to be very well made (as with most things from that company),
Ivan

[Mike Snyder]

I don't "plant" my pinkie on the top, but I'm getting some rash at the top of the treble F hole from brushing my fingernail. That's OK by me, I bought the mandolin to play it, not to adore it's looks. What matters is, how do YOU feel about the preservation of YOUR top finish. I hope I live long enough to get that distressed look. Some folks here on the cafe play very pretty mandos, and are very careful and particular about their appearance. I've had my Gibson only five years, and it is NOT pristine. The guard protects and provides a high point to plant. Good ones aren't cheap, cheap ones aren't good.

[lenf12]

Another (perhaps more accurate) name for the pickguard is "finger rest". I use one on all of my mandos as a sort of depth guide and find that I lightly brush my right hand fingernails against it as I play. I don't dig in too deeply when playing. I find that trying someone else's mandolin without a pickguard is difficult for me to do. I lose that depth orientation. Also, I would probably not buy a used mandolin that had excessive (any) finish wear to the top due to not using a pickguard. Others may have a different opinion.

Len B.
Clearwater, FL

[mandroid]

I found a DIY finger-rest wasn't too difficult to make , made one for my Mandola.
bracket for Les Paul Jr, guitars is the same as Gibson uses on the A40/50 mandolins and works fine,
drilling a wee hole in the edge of the fingerboard for a small nail to connect the pickguard to the instrument ,
and a drilled hole in a strip of hardwood glued on to reinforce the top edge of the thing.

one shortcoming , plastic buffer not available to polish sanded cut edge.

so if hiring the work of someone else's time is too dear, ... there you go ..

[JeffD]

I have the original pick guard on my Gibson A2, and I would not think of taking it off. And my Weber Aspen has no pick guard and I would not think of getting one.

As to planting - I only plant when I need to, :grin: on either instrument.

[jasona]

Another (perhaps more accurate) name for the pickguard is "finger rest". I use one on all of my mandos as a sort of depth guide and find that I lightly brush my right hand fingernails against it as I play. I don't dig in too deeply when playing.

Me too. I have one made by Doug Edwards.

[Mike Bunting]

My previous mandolins came without a finger rest and my latest one has a finger rest so I know it's there but I don't give it much thought.

[Ray(T)]

My '02 Holoubek doesn't have a guard/finger-rest and suffers from playing wear - both dings and wear at the edges of the treble side "F" hole. My Kimble does have a guard which has prevented wear and is more comfortable to play as it can be used as a finger-rest. I have been thinking of fitting one to the Holoubek for some time.

The Kimble guard is screwed to the side of the fretboard and I assume there is also a pin to keep it straight - I recall that the Heiden, which sat next to it in the shop, used the same system. None of those I've seen advertised mention this method of fitting and I'd be interested to hear how people have fitted the standard ones. Stew-mac seem to have a new, cheaper, range of guards for sale.
Ray

[Ridge54]

I have a 2 point A-5. I took the pick guard off long ago. I like the pinky anchor to mando top too much. Also if your a going for a good up swing whale on the E I found mr. pick guard way too much in the way. IMHO it just doesn't fit for me. I'm looking forward to a new F style mando and I'm re-considering pick guard removal. Maybe someone could come up with a new design? Thanks for the post and all the replies on this thread.

Ridge

[Ivan Kelsall]

From the above posts,it does seem as thought there are quite differing 'hand attitudes' when picking (stating the darned obvious again !). RayT obviously has his 'pinky' & or other fingers fairly straight if they brush the top. Myself,i simply curl my fingers up out of the way naturally & they're not within an inch of the top. Watching You-Tube clips of Mandolin players,can be very illiminating
re.picking attitudes (physical ones i mean). Everything from the 'carefully brushed' notes from Chris Thile, to the 'total onslaught' from Mr.S.Bush & everything in between & utterly incredible playing from both,
Ivan;)

[Ridge54]

Received the Morgan MMS-9fe This past Monday 12-21-09. It's all-ready sound volume compromised with the electronics inside. Taking the pick guard off made a noted improvement in sound volume. I would like to see mfg. co.'s give the buyer the option of installing or not installing the pick guard. Maybe they could just set it aside as a separate package. Guess we're not trusted to install it right. I'm liking the sound of the Morgan for now until the next level.

Ridge

[mandroid]

Its not much to pulling one off , one screw if there is a bracket , and a pin or 2 in the edge of the fingerboard .
No one in even the first row of your audience at a gig can see that.

[mandomurph]

Be careful removing a pickguard with pins in the edge. I wasn't careful and I put a few scratches in the top of my old Gibson A. However, if you like a distressed look.....

[Poener]

I can take or leave pickguards. One of my mandolins has one, the other one doesn't. My pick never touches the top of the instrument even if I bang it hard. I don't think it effects the volume or tone with it on or off but it does effect the appearance of the instrument.

[Big Joe]

I prefer a pick-guard for several reasons. However, I do like the abbreviated pick-guards best.