The guitar pick guard is the part of the guitar that people don’t often think about, but you’ll definitely know if it’s not there. That’s because the pick guard is the part of the guitar that protects the guitar’s body from being gouged by the constant up-and-down motion of the guitar pick. If you’ve ever played a guitar without a pick guard, you know how easily the guitar’s body can get gouged.
A guitar pick guard not only protects the body from wear and tear, it also can also change the aesthetic of the instrument by covering up a less-than-perfect finish. If you’re looking to swap out your current pick guard or upgrade to something nicer, you’re in the right place.
Read on for our list of the best electric guitar pick guards.
Our Editor’s Best Electric Guitar Pick Guards Reviews
- Fits Fender US/Mexico Made Standard Stratocaster Modern Style.If you use it for other Strat style guitar, you may need a modification for line up.
- 11 Holes, HSS style
- 4ply Red Tortoise/White/Black/White PVC material,0.09 inch (2.2MM)thickness
- Back foiled. Double layers protect filmed on the top
- Package included: 1 x Pickguard
- SAPHUE 3MM Screws Electric Guitar Bass Pickguard Screws Fit for most Fender guitar or bass, Phillips ovalhead screws to fit countersunk pickguards and cover plates
- Screw Head Diameter: 1/8 inch( 3mm)
- Screw Length: 1/2 inch(12mm)，the standard for Fender
- Color: Black; Material: Alloy Steel
- Package Including: 50 xBlack Pickguard screws.
- Pickguard: 11 mounting screw holes, SSS pickup rountine. 3ply White Pearl/Black/White PVC material,0.09 inch (2.2mm)thickness.
- Backplate: 6 Holes. 3ply White Pearl/Black/White PVC material,0.09 inch (2.3MM)thickness.
- There are 2 layers thin protective film on the front surface of the pickguard, peel off after installation.
- Fits Fender US/Mexico Made Standard Stratocaster Modern Style.If you use it for other Strat style guitar, you may need a modification for line up.
- With aluminum shielding foil on the back, Double layers protect filmed on the top.
- Application: This electric guitar pickguard is compatible with most Fender Stratocaster Strat ST style electric guitars
- High-Quality Material: This metal electric guitar pickguards is made of stainless steel, boasting significantly higher wear resistance and service life than plastic pickguards, eliminating the troubles of scratches and frequent replacements
- Pickguard Parameters:Overall dimensions: 285mm（11.22in）×223.5mm（8.80in）,Thickness: 0.8mm,Potentiometer mounting hole diameter: 7.3mm (0.287inch). For other detailed dimensions, please refer to the size diagram
- Cool Appearance:With this gold guitar pickguard featuring light-and-dark interlaced carved patterns, your guitar's style will be instantly upgraded, making your performance more confident and passionate
- Multiple Color Options:OVSAL offers pickguard products in different colors, materials, and processes. Currently, there are three color options for guitar pickguards available: chrome pickguard, black pickguard, and gold pickguard
- Fits US/Mexico Standard Fender Strat or Squier Strat like Affinity series etc, good replacement or upgrade option
- 11-Holes standard SSS strat style pickguard, large back shielding
- Standard single-coil pickups, ceramic magnet, wax potted, output: 5.7K ohm for neck and middle, 6.0K ohm for bridge
- Installed standard strat style knobs, switch, pickups and pre-wired circuit, included pickguard screws
- Please check the wiring map in our product images. White wire is hot, any black wire can be the ground, then other black wire is for output jack's negative electrode
- Application: This electric guitar pickguard is compatible with most Fender Stratocaster Strat ST style electric guitars
- High-Quality Material: This metal electric guitar pickguards is made of stainless steel, boasting significantly higher wear resistance and service life than plastic pickguards, eliminating the troubles of scratches and frequent replacements
- Pickguard Parameters:Overall dimensions: 285mm（11.22in）×223.5mm（8.80in）,Thickness: 0.8mm,Potentiometer mounting hole diameter: 7.3mm (0.287inch). For other detailed dimensions, please refer to the size diagram
- Cool Appearance:With this black guitar pickguard featuring light-and-dark interlaced carved patterns, your guitar's style will be instantly upgraded, making your performance more confident and passionate
- Multiple Color Options:OVSAL offers pickguard products in different colors, materials, and processes. Currently, there are three color options for guitar pickguards available: chrome pickguard, black pickguard, and gold pickguard
- Fits Fender USA/Mexican Made Standard Stratocaster Modern Style. If you use it for other Strat style guitar, you may need a modification for line up
- 11 mounting screws holes, HH (2 humbuckers) pickup routine
- 4Ply plastic material, 2.0-2.2mm (0.08-0.09 inch) thickness
- Double layers protective film on the top, please remove it after you install
- Package Included: 1Pc Strat Pickguard
- The Package Length of the Product is 30.48 centimeters
- The Package Width of the Product is 24.13 centimeters
- The Package Height of the Product is 2.54 centimeters
- Country of Origin: UNITED STATES
- [Pickup Sound]:modern tone, full, powerful sound and hum bucker, great for playing rock and funk, make your guitar more versatile.
- [Multi switch design]:Single cut Switch,On/Off Switch and total 5way Design,Make the performance more diverse
- [Package Includes]: 2 small dual coil pickups and one Humbucker,2 tone & 1 volume knob, 5-way pickup switch & 1x Guitar Backplate & Included mounting screws.
- [Four conductor wires]:Black wire is hot, green wire is ground, red and white is for splitting coil
- [Note]: As with any pickguard, some modification may be necessary for exact hole alignment, as there are many different hole patterns.
- Compatibility: Fit for USA/Mexican Fender Ultra/Special/Deluxe/Standard/Player/Professional/Professional II/Performer/Highway HSS strat guitars with a standard 11-hole layout. There is a large amount of EM shielding aluminum sticker on the back to insulate the electronics.
- Specifications: 4 ply construction: white pearl + white + black + white. It has a thickness of approximately 2.3mm (3/32"). Mounting screw head diameter: 5.8mm (15/64"); Screw thread diameter: 3mm (1/8"); Screw overall length: 12mm (15/32").
- Protective Film: Covered with two layers of plastic protective film to prevent scratches or damage during shipping and handling. Please peel off the plastic protective film before use.
- Complete Package: Includes 1 plastic pickguard and all countersunk philips oval head mounting screws needed for convenient installation.
- Please Note: Ensure an ideal match by referring to the detailed product specifications in the images section prior to making your purchase. Please note that the screw holes on the guard plate may exhibit a minor deviation from those on your original part, as even Fender and its associated brands have changed hole locations through the years.
Best Electric Guitar Pick Guards Buying Guide
Before choosing the best electric guitar pick guard you should consider following options:
1. Color: Pickguards come in a variety of colors. While you might think that color is not a factor you should consider it is.
If you are trying to match the look of an existing amp or guitar then color is something you should take into consideration.
If you are trying to give your guitar a new look or a look you have always wanted then color is one of the first things you should consider.
2. Shape: Pickguards also come in a variety of shapes. While they are often referred to as “pickguards” they are also called covers, shields, stickers, and decals.
While most people think of the pickguard as a piece that covers the pickups they also cover the control knobs and switch. This can sometimes alter the look of your guitar if you are trying to maintain the stock look.
You may find that pickguards come in a variety of shapes that are standard or you may find that they come in custom shapes. If you are trying to maintain the stock look then standard pickguards are probably best for you.
If you are trying to create a look you have always wanted then standard pickguards may not be what you are looking for.
3. Thickness: You may not think that the thickness of a pickguard is important, but it is. If you are trying to maintain the stock look of your guitar then you may want to consider the thickness of a pickguard.
Pickguards that are too thin may not cover the pickups properly, which can lead to them being exposed and possibly damaged.
Pickguards that are too thick can cause the knobs and switch to stick out and look odd and can even cause the knobs and switch to break if the pickguard is too thick.
4. Material: Pickguards come in a variety of materials. While they are often referred to as “pickguards” they are also called covers, shields, stickers, and decals.
While most people think of the pickguard as a piece that covers the pickups they also cover the control knobs and switch. This can sometimes alter the look of your guitar if you are trying to maintain the stock look.
You may find that pickguards come in a variety of materials that are standard or you may find that they come in custom materials. If you are trying to maintain the stock look then standard pickguards are probably best for you.
If you are trying to create a look you have always wanted then standard pickguards may not be what you are looking for.
5. Cost: The cost of a pickguard can vary depending on the type of pickguard you are looking for. If you are trying to maintain the stock look then you may find that stock pickguards are less expensive than aftermarket pickguards.
If you are trying to create a look you have always wanted then aftermarket pickguards may be more expensive than stock pickguards.
6. Durability: The durability of a pickguard can vary depending on the type of pickguard you are looking for. If you are trying to maintain the stock look then you may find that stock pickguards are more durable than aftermarket pickguards.
If you are trying to create a look you have always wanted then aftermarket pickguards may be more durable than stock pickguards.
7. Fit: The fit of a pickguard can vary depending on the type of pickguard you are looking for. If you are trying to maintain the stock look then stock pickguards are more likely to have a proper fit.
What else you should know about electric guitar pick guards
1. What is the best electric guitar pick guard material?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on personal preference. Some guitarists prefer to use plastic pick guards as they are inexpensive and easy to replace if they get damaged. Others prefer to use metal pick guards as they offer more protection to the guitar’s finish and can help to reduce noise when playing.
2. How do I clean my electric guitar pick guard?
The best way to clean your electric guitar pick guard is to use a mild soap and water solution. Gently scrub the pick guard with a soft cloth or sponge, being careful not to scrub too hard and damage the finish. Rinse the pick guard with clean water and dry it with a soft cloth.
3. How do I remove an electric guitar pick guard?
In order to remove an electric guitar pick guard, you will need to unscrew the screws that hold it in place. Once the screws are removed, the pick guard can be lifted off of the guitar.
4. What is the purpose of an electric guitar pick guard?
The purpose of an electric guitar pick guard is to protect the body of the guitar from being scratched by the pick.
5. Do all electric guitars have pick guards?
Most electric guitars have pick guards, but there are some that don’t.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best electric guitar pick guards. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best electric guitar pick guards will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.