Talk:Pickguard

Fender Strat Image
Can we just use an image from Fender's website? The image is of a squire taken on a rug with a sticker on it. 72.143.166.161 05:32, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

finger rest
I think Finger Rest can be omitted from the aka portion of the first sentence here. I haven't heard anyone call a pickguard that, but it DOES refer to the plastic block that used to be installed on Fender basses like the Jazz Bass, Mustang, P-Bass(?). Even then, I'm pretty sure its only currently done on the reissues. Tremspeed 21:21, 26 August 2006 (UTC)
 * There is a reference at the end of article that proves that "fingerrest" is a name of special kind of pickguard. Let's add that plastic block on basses too, but please provide a reference? --GreyCat 07:06, 27 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Well, I've found some sort of reference. Will that be ok? --GreyCat 07:12, 27 August 2006 (UTC)
 * I agree with Tremspeed -- no one calls a pickguard a "finger rest". Although people do sometimes rest their fingers on the guard, most teachers and guitar methods discourage the practice.  Also, "finger rest" more properly refers to a separate bar mounted alongside the strings -- most commonlly on a bass -- on which the fingers or thumb are intended to rest.  My Gibson RD Artist bass has both a finger rest and a pickguard, and they are quite different objects.
 * Finally, the alleged reference leads to a dead link. Consequently, I'm removing "finger rest" from the sentence.  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.95.43.249 (talk) 21:00, 1 April 2014 (UTC)
 * I Suggest adding the following three additions to the page: Firstly, the pickguard on an archtop guitar is referred to as a fingerrest because the jazz style that influenced these types of guitars were not only played with plectrums but also with fingerstyle which required resting of the fingers on the plate near to or at the same height as the strings. This facilitates easier picking style, especially when thumb picking style is used - we could add a Wes Montgomery picture here as it is an excellent reference of using it just so. Secondly, the pickguard on carved / solid top electric guitars used primarily for plectrum use have the pick guard mounted away from the body for two simple reasons: The guitar style was and evolution based on archtop hollow body guitars which used the same (people were accustomed to it) and one would want a flat surface after the strings to avoid deflection of the plectrum / picking hand when struck. The easiest way to do this was to use existing technology such as found on arch top designs. Thirdly, the use of the name pickguard came after the use of the word scratchplate. Scratchplates are popular on guitars using strumming where the fingers and nails on the strumming hand can damage the finish. Plectrums (picks) became more prominent later in the history of guitar and caused damage more easily than finger style playing. The scratchplate was then associated with the colloquial name for plectrums as they were identified as the main source of damage thus the main reason for the guard, hence "pickguard". — Preceding unsigned comment added by 41.56.84.179 (talk) 14:07, 14 October 2014 (UTC)

A golpeador is not a "pick guard"
Flamenco guitarists don't use picks. The literal translation of "golpeador" is "striker", "rapper", or "kicker", and implies a surface that is struck or rapped with the fingers or knuckles. And indeed, that is what the golpeador is used for on a flamenco guitar: as a surface for providing percussive effects made by striking the plate with the fingers. Calling a golpeador a "pick guard" is like calling an ice skate a "shoe". Golpeador should really have a separate article, or at least a separate, more detailed subsection in this article.

Golpeador is designed to protect finish of guitar wood, but not to stabilize surface to prevent cracks in the wood or bracing problems.
This article is mistaken in stating that the golpeador provides a stable surface for the guitar. That implies that it will help protect the guitar from surface cracks or weakened bracing of the wood. The golpeador is instead intended and designed only to protect the finish of the wood. It does not diminish or distribute downward forces applied to the surface of the guitar by fingers, knuckles etc. Such a suggestion might cause people to mistakenly believe that it can prevent the damage caused by overly aggressive percussive effects.