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I have a Breedlove Stage Concert cutaway guitar, very beautiful and I am beginning to prefer it to my Taylor 324. The Breedlove comes without a pick guard and I am noticing scratches from strumming where a pick guard would normally be, not very noticeable but over time will be.
I have some thin rosewood that I can craft a nice guard so the overall appearance should be good.

Question I have is tonal characteristics. Am I going to forfeit sound quality by putting one on?

Dennis Ott

Hey Dennis, I see where you can order one from the Breedlove site, it's self adhesive. As for the sound, I'd do a test by holding the would/be pick guard in place, strum, and listen. If you can't tell... then probably not much difference. I wonder if the bridge truss helps make up for less down force on the saddle with the pin-less bridge. Good luck, Shoer

Somewhere in the archive is a video of AcousticAl putting on a thin mylar pick guard.... it shouldn't effect the sound much, I don't think. You can ask him. Ah, found it, it was on an E-guitar, so ....This may help instead:

Loved this instructional video! I have a clear pick guard on one of my Martins and absolutely love it. I've been wanting to add a clear guard to some other guitars that came w/o one so this will help me do the process correctly. Like he said "not complicated but a few tricks of the trade".

Thanks for attaching the video!
Bart

Willie Nelson has' nt one. B)

Hi Dennis

I have a clear pick guard that isn't glued on, so am able to take it off and on, its a cross between plastic and a gel.
thin and almost invisible. it doesn't change the tone at all

Rick

An additional thought! Perhaps if a pick guard muffles the sound it may be a benefit to ANYONE listening to me!
I have a tough time making these *#($&$%#& stupid guitars UHHH Sacred Instruments work.