Who NEEDS a pick guard? Warning: Rant.

Just playing it a lot will do that, especially if he/she is strumming at an odd angle. 

The hole in Willie's guitar is worn naturally.  According to Willie, he has refused to allow it to be repaired for two reasons.  He likes the way it sounds.  He has irreplaceable signatures of people with whom he's played on it.  Those sound reasonable to me. 

- Zurf

I forgot to mention... GET BACK TO PLAYING.

Willies guitar was also in a fire,he went back in too save it,he also likes too indulge himself alot with things that get him "High". I really like too have a pick guard even though I do not use picks.

how do you change a strumming angle.If it feels comfortable "dive-bombing".Thats how you play.I personally dont care for a worn looking guitar,(even if I did it).That is why I touched up the paint on my rickenbacker with GET THIS,a sharpie.I wore it myself.While I should take pride, I dont.I want it to look as new as possible

Two words - Monte Montgomery

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8_6aa-TTvI

This old Avarez/ Yairi has a cedar top if I'm not mistaken. Cedar is a softer wood than spruce and more easily damaged, but still leaves you wondering what's holding this guitar together.  Sounds great though.  His guitar reflects his playing style. I'm certain that he's not the least bit concerned about how the guitar looks.  He's concerned with the sound and playability.

Possible explanation for the Martin: The person who owns this guitar plays it a lot. He/she probably picks a lot. The top wear is from resting the thumb on the body when picking the top strings and the bottom wear is from resting the pinky on the body when picking the lower strings. I place my thumb and pinky in almost the same spots when I pick.

Monte's guitar: Looks like an older guitar thus has the nitrocellulose  finish. As this finish is, from what I hear, much more delicate than the finish on, say, my Epi it will be affected by just the oils and sweat of the player. If you look at the finish it is affected by where his arm or hand would come into contact with the body.

Just my observations.

I am not really one for aesthetics, I go for results. While I don't, and won't, purposely abuse my guitar I won't worry about how it looks unless the sound is affected.

Normtheguitar,
I suppose you're assumptions are correct regarding the lack of a pickguard. However I think the whole idea of having a guitar for strumming versus one for finger-style is exaggerated. Play what you like and what sounds good. I will admit finger-style is easier with a wide nut but that does not stop me from trying on my dreadnought - which according to lore is for strumming. I'm not a big fan of pickguards but it doesn't really interfere with a purchasing decision UNLESS it is an unusually large pick-guard or one of those ridiculous double guards which seem to surround the soundhole. In those cases it is a show-stopper!
dj