Normally, I'm team pickguard on for a Les Paul...however...

[Aahzz]

I decided to see what my new Lester looks like without the pickguard. I'm not sure I can put it back on...usually I think it makes them look naked, but in this case, I'm OK with that!!
Before:

After:

 

[jb_abides]

This one goes both ways

 

[Señor Verde]

Off, always off for me.

 

[garywright]

if that were mine the guard would stay off

 

[Norton]

Sometimes Les looks better nekked...

 

[charliechitlins]

For me, it comes down to, what would I rather look at, a piece of plastic, or a piece of wood?
I lose the poker chip, too.

 

[garywright]

especially beings there’s some upswept figure in between the pickups

 

[Aahzz]

For me, it comes down to, what would I rather look at, a piece of plastic, or a piece of wood?
I lose the poker chip, too.

I can't lose the poker chip, nope nope nope.

 

[Tollywood]

What about the screw hole on the top?

 

[garywright]

on mine, I just put both original aged screws back in place

 

[Aahzz]

What about the screw hole on the top?

I put the screw back in - it's not there in the pics, but it is now.

 

[garywright]

I can't lose the poker chip, nope nope nope.

that’s right, don’t lose it..just take it off, pop a pic then store it in your case pocket.…I think that (MAY) be a cool look with all the surrounding tobacco..plus it’s one less barbie colored piece of plastic..also, those sad reflectors gotta go..yep,yep,yep

 

[Aahzz]

that’s right, don’t lose it..just take it off, pop a pic then store it in your case pocket.…I think that (MAY) be a cool look with all the surrounding tobacco..plus it’s one less barbie colored piece of plastic..also, those sad reflectors gotta go..yep,yep,yep

I like the poker chip. I might agree with you on the reflectors, they may get replaced with speed knobs.

 

[garywright]

I was just meaning more correct gold reflectors with smooth mirror type dish

 

[NickiC]

Go for it!
I swapped in double white 57 classics, speed knobs, took the pickguard off of my 50’s standard. That guitar you have is a looker!

 

[Aahzz]

I was just meaning more correct gold reflectors with smooth mirror type dish

I just like sped knobs, they feel better to me.

 

[jb_abides]

Speed knobs are suitable with that look. I am a fan of reflectors but speed knobs are all good in my book.

Agree, if the guard goes... so goes the poker chip!

 

[Señor Verde]

On that guitar, for the screw hole you could stick a toothpick in the hole, break it off and color it black with a sharpie or drop of black nail polish. Wouldn't look perfect but it would blend in a bit better. If you wanted to put the guard back on, the toothpick is soft enough the screw would screw through it easily.

 

[jb_abides]

Or just blacken the top of the existing screw.

 

[NickiC]

Even with it off, it will often leave finish damage underneath the screw for the bracket. Buy a Les Paul online, insist the seller removes the pickguard and sticks it in the case before shipping out.