You may be tempted to just remove it as John eventually did.I respect your choice, but what you prefer isn't always what you paid for. The guard hugs the pickup really tight and I'm tempted to sand the guard down to keep it away from the pickups. I'm having a difficult time trying to adjust it to a place where it doesn't buzz.

It is thinner and more flimsy than the ones on the standard Korean Casinos.

The only complaint I have about this guitar is it's trademark pickguard. The truss rod has a 8mm nut and no wrench is included with the guitar. The set up came a bit high as did my Revolution and a minor truss nut adjustment and bridge lowering allowed a much lower action. The refurbs also are stripped of their hand numbered series number and given a new sticker inside the body with a generic serial number. The only giveaway was the 'R' stamped on the headstock below the Lennon serial number.

I saved some money buying this as a refurb and it arrived good as new. The USA P-90s have great tone and a very strong punch. This will more closely match the tone of of the 66-67 Beatles. The tone on this guitar is very bright, much brighter than the Revolution. Other unique vintage hardware consists of the bridge with plastic saddles, the Corian nut, Trapeze tailpiece which is 1/2 inch longer and the volume/tone control knobs which have the shiny gold reflective tops on them. All the electronics and wiring are top notch. The guitar feels very solid and well built. They at least stay in place and dont slip out of tune but they aren't my first choice in tuners.

I think there was a good reason John wanted to upgrade the Gotoh tuners but these aren't actually that bad. This is pretty much a stock vintage '65 Casino. I never would have had the heart to sand this baby down. The nitro finish is thicker than the coat on the Revolution and is buffed to a high gloss. The first thing that stuck me about this guitar is its beautiful Vintage Sunburst color and dark walnut back and sides. I just had to have this one because of its historical significance in its role with the Beatles and others that played this model like Brian Jones. 'Well this is pretty close to the Casino that John grew so attached to back in '65. Ok, I found a review online of a 'reburbed' John Lennon 1965 Casino:

Epiphone casino john lennon made in usa