the demise of the pick guard

[Mark Wilson]

Should have kept them all!

Seems like everything musical I have parted with has resulted in a 'wished I still had that' moment. With the exception of some cheaply produced gear.

[Petrus]

So, you're not much into marketing either, I see...

Like the Model T Ford ... you can have any color as long as it's black.

Anyway, no discussion of pickguards would be complete without mention of the innovative Epiphone pickup-in-pickguard configuration:

Rather than loading down the mandolin with electronics and adversely affecting its natural acoustic tone, the Shadow system puts all the electronics inside the pickguard. This allows the Epiphone mandolin to respond and sound just like an acoustic mando should. On the pickguard are master volume, treble, and bass rotary controls, as well as an easy-access battery compartment using a lightweight, long lasting 2032 watch-style lithium battery. Even the pickup is mounted on the pickguard.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/folk-...ctric-mandolin

[MikeEdgerton]

Anyway, no discussion of pickguards would be complete without mention of the innovative Epiphone pickup-in-pickguard configuration

That's not really a new idea, it's been around in different forms for decades in the guitar world.

[blindsay86]

That is one of the most beautiful mandolins I have ever seen.