Mandolin Pickguard

[ngzcaz]

Recently put a pickguard on a F mandolin
and wondered if the seemingly larger than needed
foam covered wood rest that sits on the soundboard
dampens the sound. I cant hear a difference but
logic should tell one that anything that interferes
with the vibrations coming from the soundboard
should lessen the sound.

BTW, what should have been a 10 minute job turned
into an hour. Short one brass screw and needed a
longer drill to fasten it to the neck. Did I mention
the foam rest was turned the wrong way & I had to
reposition it ? So much for easy installation.

[TheNaivePicker]

Well I dont think I can help much with the last part ...
But Ive found a Mando does sound alot louder and..well, Nicer, With the Pickgaurd off. So I dont have one, on both of my mandos, and I Rather Like it! But Then Again, thats just me
Sorry I cant really help though.

[John Flynn]

David Grisman likes pickguards. I read in a interview with him that he feels it acoustically has sort of the same effect as a bass roll-off does on good microphone. Personally, I feel that if there is an acoustic differnce, whatever it is, it's pretty slight. If you feel that a pickguard/finger-rest helps your playing and/or protects your mando, that to me would be the higher priority. It's purely a presonal preference. If you like 'em, use 'em. If you don't, don't. It's that simple.

[danb]

Having recently played a very nice one with a PG, I noticed that over time you do really notice a tone difference from not resting on the face of the instrument, easily enough to counteract the slight soundhole blocking.. it keeps you from leaning on the bridge as well.. it's subtle tone-wise, but on a really good instrument you can hear a huge difference. It's like learning to not keep the back of the mando on your gut, that damps a lot of the bass!

[mmukav]

I had an MM50 and replacing the rosewood bridge with ebony and removing the pickguard both made a big difference in volume (and tone). Now I don't know how it would affect a nicer mando, (it may not make that much difference if it already sounded great), maybe a little quieter. Interesting what Grisman says about the bass roll-off thing though, but you'd think that bass thump would be desirable.

[ngzcaz]

After perusing the replys, I'm thinking
if there was any difference, it might be
offset ( perhaps to the positive ) from not
resting or hitting the soundboard with the
heel of ones hand ?
The real question to me was that if there
was a negative effect, would changing the
size or location of the imprint of the block
make a difference or more importantly perhaps
getting rid of the foam & have a harder nor
marring surface so the sound could vibrate
freely ?

Any scientists out there ?

[Peter Hackman]

The solution could be a mini-pickguard of the kind I ordered with my Collings
(I haven't yet had it installed). But you might have to drill new holes
in the fingerboard.

On my Flatiron a friend of mine installed an original pickguard, a 3-ply
laminate in ebony and maple, really cute, very helpful, and
at least I don't hear any difference except a cleaner attack.

[rixter]

"The solution could be a mini-pickguard of the kind I ordered with my Collings "

Did you order it directly from Collings?

[mandroid]

Steve Smith/Cumberland Acoustics. Bound or unbound
Mini or edge bracket to rim ( 2,or 3point)

[Peter Hackman]

"The solution could be a mini-pickguard of the kind I ordered with my Collings "

Did you order it directly from Collings?

No, I bought the mandolin, and the pickguard,
from Elderly Instruments.
They warned against having the pickguard installed
before shipping, because of their return policy.