NPGD - kind of

[TomC]

In the past I have been critical of Eastman on two main points - tuning machines and pickguards. Well I should also give credit where credit is due. I recently picked up a 2021 AC522CE. This is the redesigned model with armrest and sound port. The tuners are Gotoh SG301 and they are smoooooth. But the purpose of this post is to point out the guard. It is of high quality material with an excellent pattern. It came polished and best of all with polished radiused edges. Kudos to Eastman!!

More on the AC522CE-GB in a later post.

[Hanns]

Ohh! That's nice! I hope the E series gets this treatment as well.

[Pura Vida]

Edit: see my reply below.

[Guzzi Fan]

Your AC522CE pick guard is a real step up, Tom.   Beautiful!

I look forward to seeing/hearing more about your new purchase, as the 522 is still on my radar.

Rod

[Pura Vida]

I was traveling and didn't get a chance to look closely at my guard.  Upon initial inspection, I thought it was an improvement, but heavily scratched.  Well, it turns out both of my initial observations were incorrect, LOL.  The plastic was still on the guard, so the scratches peeled right off (good news!).  But it's the same as my other recent guards, where it's nice, but thick edged, so it may still need to get replaced.

[REHII]

I always take the pickguard off my guitars!!
I don’t like them and don’t really need them.
I don’t hit the wood much!
It’s pretty easy to do and I like the look a lot better without the pickguard.

[sleigh]

FWIW (not much): I need a pickguard because I can be an aggressive strummer and I'd definitely damage the wood. But I can't say that I'd notice the difference between a radiused edge and a blunt one (though nicely polished and smooth edges look better).