Les,
I play all styles on the Tonares. I find them to be very versatile indeed.
Tabl10s. As for the pickguard, I had some marring on the top from the original owner of the Celtic Tonare and my luthier recommend a pickguard. I kind of assumed (that word again) that he'd install a clear one and I think he assumed I was the one that marred the top. In hindsight I'd just use a static cling guard if I found I was marking the top. It's pretty easy to undo though.