Why don't guitar's without pickguards get scratched?

[Guithartic]

All my guitars are Gibsons and Fenders (and one D'Angelico) with pickguards, and the pickguards have scratches on them. When I see PRS or a signature Slash Les Paul, I always wonder how people play those without scratching them up. Do some players just not let the pick touch the body? Is the lacquer more protective? Do the guitars get scratched, and people just don't care? What gives? Serious question from a (soon-to-be-PRS-owner)

 

[d^rren]

Some people don't pick like cavemen. Some do. It's all good.

 

[DISTORT6]

I try not to use the non-wound strings.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

I think it’s to do with the level of the body in comparison to the strings.

A guitar with a scratch plate is generally closer to the strings.

Or maybe it’s the caveman thing. I don’t know.

 

[Guithartic]

Some people don't pick like cavemen. Some do. It's all good.

Ugg.

 

[DISTORT6]

I think it’s to do with the level of the body in comparison to the strings.

A guitar with a scratch plate is generally closer to the strings.

Or maybe it’s the caveman thing. I don’t know.

AGAIN with the caveman thing today?!?!
I’m going to get a complex!

 

[Moondog Wily]

Some of the carves on PRS (and other guitars) are designed to fall away from the strings, which helps prevent pick scratches. I have some pick scratches on my PRSi, but since I stopped playing with a pick in Aug or Sep '23, that will no longer be an issue ;~))

 

[markd21]

My favorite CU22 had pretty significant scrapes under the strings when I got it. The back of the neck was missing paint and worn to the wood in various places. Somebody played it hard. I was excited because those wounds told me it was a HELL of a player.

 

[SinSir]

Pick scratches are there.. move the guitar different angles and light. Some show more than others and some buff out better than others. The guitar, finish, grain, pick, player, and whatever else are all factors too. Guitars are meant to be played. Don't sweat the inevitable.

 

[JasonE]

As others have said, the scratches happen. Carved tops help with not getting them. Playing style has a lot to do with it as well. I don't do large sweeping chord strumming. Those are the types of motions that usually cause pick scratches on the top.

 

[shinksma]

AGAIN with the caveman thing today?!?!
I’m going to get a complex!

Playing PRS guitars is so easy, even a caveman can do it.

 

[deathworlder]

I'm not hitting that area with a pick while playing. I am hitting it with my fingernails; I hold a pick with my fingers semi-splayed. Might be hitting it with a pick and fingernails when I go to adjust the controls.

 

[11top]

Relics are the sh*t!

 

[JasonE]

Relics are sh*t!

FIFY

 

[11top]

FIFY

I need my fix

 

[Tom Bradovich]

Me play like caveman. Cherry Bomb got scratches. Me don't love scratches. But, me love playing Cherry Bomb.

Years ago, I joined the only other forum I've ever been on. It was devoted to a certain brand of rifle. I small number of new ops there started complaining about "brass kisses" (discoloration of the brass deflector) caused by ejected brass cases hitting the brass deflector. Which is the job of the brass deflector. A wise old sage on that forum, in answer to the new ops question on how best to avoid this discoloration, advised them to never fire their rifle.

Unless I win a lottery or somehow inherit a sh*t-ton of money, I'll never own a PS, Artist Top, or even a Core with a 10-top. If I did own one of those, I guess I'd be concerned about pick scratches, and maybe even just hang the guitars in a display case. Or play them very gingerly.

PRS guitars are among the most beautiful guitars made. Once we own one, we continue to be enamored by their beauty, and want to protect that beauty from harm. But, I bought my Thinline to play. The pick scratches on Cherry Bomb are only an indication that I play her often and with emotion.

 

[Alnus Rubra]

Me play like caveman. Cherry Bomb got scratches. Me don't love scratches. But, me love playing Cherry Bomb.

Years ago, I joined the only other forum I've ever been on. It was devoted to a certain brand of rifle. I small number of new ops there started complaining about "brass kisses" (discoloration of the brass deflector) caused by ejected brass cases hitting the brass deflector. Which is the job of the brass deflector. A wise old sage on that forum, in answer to the new ops question on how best to avoid this discoloration, advised them to never fire their rifle.

Unless I win a lottery or somehow inherit a sh*t-ton of money, I'll never own a PS, Artist Top, or even a Core with a 10-top. If I did own one of those, I guess I'd be concerned about pick scratches, and maybe even just hang the guitars in a display case. Or play them very gingerly.

PRS guitars are among the most beautiful guitars made. Once we own one, we continue to be enamored by their beauty, and want to protect that beauty from harm. But, I bought my Thinline to play. The pick scratches on Cherry Bomb are only an indication that I play her often and with emotion.

Never say never.

 

[deathworlder]

Me play like caveman. Cherry Bomb got scratches. Me don't love scratches. But, me love playing Cherry Bomb.

Years ago, I joined the only other forum I've ever been on. It was devoted to a certain brand of rifle. I small number of new ops there started complaining about "brass kisses" (discoloration of the brass deflector) caused by ejected brass cases hitting the brass deflector. Which is the job of the brass deflector. A wise old sage on that forum, in answer to the new ops question on how best to avoid this discoloration, advised them to never fire their rifle.

Unless I win a lottery or somehow inherit a sh*t-ton of money, I'll never own a PS, Artist Top, or even a Core with a 10-top. If I did own one of those, I guess I'd be concerned about pick scratches, and maybe even just hang the guitars in a display case. Or play them very gingerly.

PRS guitars are among the most beautiful guitars made. Once we own one, we continue to be enamored by their beauty, and want to protect that beauty from harm. But, I bought my Thinline to play. The pick scratches on Cherry Bomb are only an indication that I play her often and with emotion.

Lol... I have a pretty good idea I know which rifle forum.
No love for electrical tape on the brass deflector?

 

[Tom Bradovich]

No love for electrical tape on the brass deflector?

No need. It'd be like encasing my recliner in polyurethane to prevent wrinkles and creases in the leather.

Never say never.

You're right - never is a long time. Let's say highly unlikely.

 

[WingerRules]

AGAIN with the caveman thing today?!?!
I’m going to get a complex!

If the club fits...