I've got a problem! Do I put on the scratch plate on my Gibson Les Paul or not?
If I do it will look trad but it will hide quite a bit of flame:dunno:Also I will have to scew the fittings into it causing holes!!!:brickwall: But i like scratch plates:maddance: Argghh!!!!!:confused:

No way.

Leave the scratchplate off. Shouldn't ever be on a Les Paul.

Absolutely...............











NOT!!!!!!!!:bitchslap:

Noooooooo plate. looks much sleeker without!

I'd Leave it off,:thumb:

Nah Stick it on! :thumb:

Well I like it both ways mate :notme:, but that flame deserves to be seen!

Looks nice as it is.

Once the holes are in (and it's only two of 'em if I remember correctly) they're in. Leave it off...much better to see the colour. Only scratchplate I liked was Mr Lynott's.

I agree with Wah.....Leave it off....ok if it comes with one on you have the option of on/off but i think it would hide that gorgeous finish & affect resale!..back in the eighties i toyed with the idea of putting a locking floyd rose on my 1963 strat! :wtf: ..thank god i didnt !..i'd of knocked about £15k off its price!

I might be the party pooper, but I would put it on. If you play without one, you could kill that wonderful finish with pick marks. I look at my Les Paul and the pickguard is covered in scratches. I guess it's done it's job?

You can readily change a pickguard, but the finnish..once it gets scratched up, it's done. It will take some time, but those little scratches will appear over time.

Also, with the way I play...I tend to anchor my pinky finger on that pickguard. So for me...drill it...and don't look back. It's about playability and durability imo. If you want it to be a collectors item..leave it off....but are we here for that really? My thoughts mate. :thumb: Beauty of a guitar in either case.
:rock:

Take it off, Les Pauls look so much better without a scratchplate. I am collecting a Tanglewood Les Paul tomorrow and need to know how to remove the scratchplate if anyone can give some hints & tips it would be much appreciated. Wish I had more money to get a Gibson but needs must when times are tight.

If you don't practice for 1 day you notice it, if you don't practice for 2 days your friends notice, if you don't practice for 3 days everyone notices.

Should just be two small screws...one on the top and one on the side. Make sure you keep the screws and plate so if you sell it people have the option.

Brilliant, thanks for quick reply, I'll give it a go and let you know what happened.

If You Put That Plate On I Will Kick Your Arse

:lol: Don't worry Rev I'm not going to....I already have a white les paul with one on:naughty:

Kick it anyway Rev! :lol:

:moon:

Oh great! thanks fellas ... now I have this NEW image of Hardy star-jumps circa 2008 in me 'ead!!

Hehe...evil! :naughty:

Picked up the Cherry Sunburst Tanglewood Les Paul - I am going to take the scratch plate off tonight, I am worried about the holes especially the one on the front, I have spoken to an instrument repair guy and he said that the holes could be filled and polished but it would make little difference to the look. I would love to see the whole sunburst but will the holes ruin the look.....:brickwall: Any ideas OFF or ON?

If you fill the holes, then you'll have difficulty re-fitting the plate if you ever decide to sell it.

Seriously ... and realistically ... the only one who'll know (or even care) whether the holes are there .. is you.

The holes are tiny ... and on the front is very close to the neck joint, so the eye'll be distracted by the pickup ring and probably obscured by your hand.

I've had the plate off my LP for 2 years now ... and not one person has said in that time "here ... you've got a hole in that there geetar!!"

Think you're worrying about nowt mate ...

Just play it! :banana:

aye, what he said ;) My LP's never had a pickguard fitted, but the holes wouldn't bother me - face it, sooner or later its going to be dinged far worse than a couple of tiny holes! Unless you keep it in a glass case :lol:

Any Les Paul I ever had, sunburst, gold................the first thing I did was take the scratch plate off...........................so I guess my vote is for off.:devilchil:

scratchplates are for pussys.

The scratchplate was off my Les Paul on the train home! lol

ITS OFF!!! A VERY LIBERATING EXPERIENCE FOR THE GUITAR AND MYSELF!!! It looks so much better and you guys are all right the holes don't matter, the scratch plate was just getting in the way![/COLOR]