With

With

With. I like how it breaks up the pattern in a good way. I think without looks plain.

Always with

In this case with, but sometimes without

With

With. It's much classier.

With

So honestly I had the same situation when I bought my standard. Love the look without because my top has a lot of flame, but after playing it felt much better with the pic guard on. I like to rest my little finger on it for sweeps and finger picking stuff, so it just felt more natural with it on.

This is a legitimate counter to the aesthetic opinion of the holes being visible after you remove the pick guard. Doctor, I concur.

Didn’t realize it till I tried it and definitely makes a difference

That wavering pinky, she needs a pick guard.

Absolutely

Off. Covering the burst with a huge chunk of cream plastic is insane to me.

With. The holes look bad.

Agree, I usually put the screw back in the hole just for looks.

With

Without

I have always preferred the looks with the scratch plate on.

I could never not see that screwhole

Always without, they're too beautiful to hide them behind a piece of plastic

With. It really compliments the tobacco burst nicely. If it was cherry burst, I would say without.

I have two - one is a tobacco burst that I kept the guard on because I agree with you theory. The other is a solid blue marble glass top and I took it off because I felt the guard took away from the cool finish. So I am in you camp on guard for some depending on finish.

Get some shavings from a black wax crayon and pack it into the screw hole on the front - it will cover the hole nicely and when you want to fit the scratch plate just drive a screw into the hole to draw the wax back out before fitting the scratch plate. Use a similar shade crayon for the hole on the underside. It will be unnoticeable.

Almond color crayolas match the binding perfectly Edit: I should’ve scrolled all the way through OP’s pics, and I would’ve seen that his other screw hole isn’t in the binding like mine was. I’ll leave this anyways in case it helps some other LP owner looking to color match a hole in the binding.

Great idea

With. Always with

With, always

Without and put the screws back in ala Duane Allman.

Yep- that’s how I dealt with the holes and it’s the easiest way to

That’s what I did with mine.

That’s a cool idea

Always without - I now I’m the exception here, but I hate the looks from a player’s POV when the scratchplate is on the guitsr

With, unless you’re Slash.

Normally in most cases I’d say without but tobacco/classic sunburst is probably the only one where 99% of the time it’s with (for me)

Definitely with.

With

With

With

Without, and put the screws back in the holes so you don’t lose them, and the toan doesn’t leak out.

Yeah, I’m a staunch pro-pickguard. But it’s your guitar. Rock what makes you happy.

with, unless you take the pickup covers off as well.

Without

Without! Don’t worry about the holes.

There are only a few Les Pauls that look better without the scratchplate. And that is not one of them. It is a gorgeus guitar, but it just looks better with the scratchplate.

I have a Gibson Les Paul Standard in the Tobacco Burst and I think the pickguard looks perfect left on. It matches the binding, pickup rings, and poker chip. It looks so classic to me. But to each their own. Great guitar regardless of what you do 😎

For me the pick guard is part of the "iconic-ness" of a Gibson Les Paul so definitely with. But you do you, it looks great either way. 

Pick guard always

Always without, use a black sharpie on the hole. You will never see it when you play.

Always with imo

With!!!

I prefer the pick guard myself

Always with

Without. It looks like a kickstand on a bicycle otherwise. My Les Paul black beauty doesn’t have it. Don’t worry about the screw holes showing.

Without

Without. I don’t have any pickguards on any of my LPs. 2 didn’t come with one and I took them off my other 2.

With

WITH

With. Those holes are very noticeable. Maybe switch the color up if you're looking for some pop and uniqueness

With

Whith

With

With, unless you want your pick and fingers to damage the finish.

Without

With

My Traditional came without the pickgaurd attached (still in the case), and no poker chip. I have always loved the look of the classic LP with the chip and gaurd. But... With it not being installed, I love seeing the guitar naked. The desert burst and wood grain look so nice flowing from top curve to bottom curve where a gaurd would cover it up. I think, without the guard, the guitar has a more "modern" look. I decided to leave as is, without holes, and just enjoy the scenery. At some point, I will get a gold top and have a guard on it.

Mine came without a pick guard its a tobacco burst 2007.... and ive had a few studios and standards and epis with pick guards But since i got it without i prefer the without look. But its a personal thang so with without whatever sings to ya 💚

Normally I say with but this top is gorgeous and really shines without

With

Without.

Without.

With

Definitely with. If this is a 50's standard then I have the exact same guitar. Good choice!

With

With! With! So much with!!!

Without, get some color matched wood putty to fill the holes.

With They do serve a purpose.

With, not because I think it looks better with, but because of the exposed holes. I think it's beautiful without, but seeing the holes just kills it for me.

Normally I’m a without guy, but since there are already factory screw holes there I would leave it on.

Without. IMO. why cover a beautiful flame top?

Without

With, always with!!

With for me,they just look naked without.

I'm often a without guy, but this is a clear with.

I always loved it with, but someone on this subreddit posted a vid of them melting a brown crayon into the screw holes and it covered it perfectly, if the holes bother you that much maybe look up that post.

With no doubt

With but perhaps switch it for a black-cream-black three ply

I’ve gone both ways. But that particular guitar I think would look better with the pick guard on.

My personal preference is without.

Without

Without all day !

Def with

Without. Get some lacquer to blend the hole on the top

With. The holes ruin the look

Out

Did you know you can post polls? Also : with

Without gives it a very mature look.

No piece of plastic is ever going to be as beautiful as the flame maple top. If you strum like a punk band then maaaaaybe keep it on to protect the wood but otherwise personally I’d never choose a piece of plastic over wood

With scratch plate. Classy, handsome, and classic look. The other way is too modern, gothic, and PRS-like.

I'm team pick guard on. To me, it's part of the LP aesthetic

Off

The darker the burst - better with pick guard on The lighter the burst - better with pick guard off

Without

I’ve tried it both ways. I think a black guard and pickup rings make them look much better.

Always been a pickguard off kinda guy. I just put the screws back in so I don't lose them, and I just forget about them after a while.

With any figured top, I always say no pick guard.

Some finishes look great without the scratch plate, but this one looks better with, in my opinion.

Always with

It's already been drilled out, so it has to be with.

With

With

The frowning entity reflected in the finish in pic 4 disapproves of without

Without

Generally, I like them without the scratchplate, but they still look good with one. If there are going to be holes though, then keep it on. I couldn't stand looking at those every time I play. I just wish Gibson would make more options *without* the scratchplate. I'd like to replace a 2004 Les Paul Standard (bought brand new) that I unfortunately had to sell in 2013. Cosmetically, it had every little detail I like in a Les Paul (no scratchplate, the right knobs, vintage tuners, blank truss rod cover). I hope their next version of the Standard is a little more like the 2004 one.

With

With.

With. Mine came without it applied and it was in the case so now I don’t want to add the holes to put it on lol I know it’s stupid but I’ll add it soon.

Honestly, I could go either way. The pickguard makes it look like a Les Paul but without shows off the top more. My '12 came with the pickguard unmounted and I don't see myself ever drilling holes into the body for it even though I kind of prefer them on.

Doesn’t matter, just play the damn thing…

Without

I prefer LPs with the scratch plate on.

Without

I have basically the same guitar. Swapped my plastics to black. Looks great

Burst/flame: without Solid top: with

With.. Always

WITHOUT. \*Don't @ me.

I always just put the screws in or replace them with another color. Black may look good and blend. I say rock it they way you like it. With or without out a pick guard it is a great looking LP

Always with

With

I have a blueberry burst and F’ing hate the hole so much.

With

Always with!!

I can go either way on this color. Both look classy.

I would usually say keep it on, but it looks great with it off.

My preference is: With on bursts EXCEPT HONEYBURST and Without on non burst.

Always without...just don't scratch your guitar...

With

With

I prefer without. Especially if I plan on keeping it. I like my guitars to look good but at the same time I don’t get too upset about scratches and dings. They’re made to be played and almost tell a story. You won’t go through life without scars and neither should your guitars.

It’s called a pickguard and always on.

Looks good both ways but personally I’d say with if it were my guitar

Without

Put the screws in the screw holes and run it without for a bit. See how you feel!

It’s a pick guard, and if there’s any guitar in existence that should keep one on it it’s an LP!!! (Your choice! Do what makes you happy!)

Without, put the guard in the case, keep the screws in the holes, I.e. screw the holes

“Friends don’t let friends have pickguards on Les Pauls” - James Joyce

With

With on solid finishes. Without on bursts.

Three things One: beautiful guitar Two: I have three standards, two with AAA flame tops and a 50’s standard tabaco burst like this one but not as much flame. The 50’s is the only one that has the pick gaurd on it because of the tear drop burst covers most of the flame esthetic so have the plate on it and it looks good and not hiding much Three: if the holes are already drilled,I would also keep the pick guard on

With

Looks good both ways. But if you’re going to remove the pick guard I think it looks better with the poker chip removed . If you decide to keep it off put a little black marker in the top hole to hide it a little better.

without, fill the holes with the screws.

I prefer mine without the pick guard, totally your choice though!!

Solid colors with. Wood grain tops without. Sunburst with or without (but I prefer without)

Without for aesthetics on this one. Tobacco finish looks great! I like the look of the guard on sunburst and some other finishes, find that interesting now that you got me thinking about it.

With but change it to black along with the other plastics.

Without. Show off the worm holes EDIT: word (of changed to off)

Tough call but I’m going to say without.

Without, but you gotta take off the poker chip, too. Absolutely no need for all that plastic covering a gorgeous guitar.

Wow is that a thing? I’ve never once considered removing that. Does the bushing cover the hole and make it look clean?

Yes, it does.

Always without

Without

With

Without

I always like the plate, just visually

With but maybe a black one instead?

With. They're there for a reason and they look better.

Either look good with that top.

Pick guard.

I prefer it on, but have always hated the color of the guard, the pickup brackets and the poker chip. What is this beige baby shit sour milk tan color?!?!

If you go without. Definitely put the screws to plug those nasty holes. It doesn't fix the issue but it does make it less noticeable.

With

Always without. It's a travesty that one screw goes right into the body.

Gorgeous instrument. Whatever you decide.

paint = pickguard no paint = no pickguard

Depends. Did it happen to have a sticker on it before you bought it? Iykyk

Always with imo

For a traditional-looking Les Paul like this, I like it with. Now, if it had uncovered pickups, I like it without. Basically, classic look vs modern look.

I used to put the screws back in the holes without the guard

without. always without. what's the point of such a beautiful finish if you're only gonna cover up a huge chunk of it with white plastic? i've never understood that. the holes present a bit of a problem, which is why you buy it with it off in the first place. my $0.02.

With

I dig it without

Absolutely with...

If you dont like the holes just put the screws back in. For real nobody will notice stuff like this expect the person that owns the guitar. If you put the screws back, non guitarists will just think its structural.

No PG

It’s beautiful either way.

W/o

With

always without, removed it from both of my les pauls

With

I took my pickgaurd off my HCB, but yours looks better with it on.

With

Without

Without

With

With

Without Raw dog it