Best tortoiseshell pickguard for Jazzmaster?

Lebarque

I’m after a good quality tortoiseshell Jazzmaster pickguard. I’d really like a Spitfire one, but they’re ridiculously expensive these days. I’d rather not have a cheap, printed one – they don’t look right to me. Anyone got any suggestions? Cheers.

Alterlifeson

It's a bit of a gamble as they all vary, but the normal Fender ones look prety good to my eye. Not expensive either!

Gerz6558

I've had WD Music's red tort pickguards for my jazzmaster and jag. Much better than the cheap ones I've had off eBay in the past.

stickyfiddle

I got a slightly warped but perfectly serviceable 60’s formless money than a new Spitfire. Still not cheap, but massively worth it

jimmyguitar

Ask @miserneil I’m sure he could rustle something up, he has the correct material 

lasermonkey

The only decent tortoiseshell scratchplates are vintage Fender and Spitfire. Everything else looks pretty naff, IMO. It's obviously hard to do well, or everyone would be doing it.
They're not.

thermionic

Jack’s Instrument Services will make you one with a real celluloid top layer. I have one on my Jaguar, nowhere near Spitfire quality obviously, but far better than printed ones. Not worth the expense unless it’s non-standard for some reason though, it’s probably comparable to the Fender replacement part.

thegummy

I've always had good quality from wdmusic in general but my tort one is Fender (not vintage, just a current stock one) and it looks great to me.

Suppose if you just have a Google for any Fender guitar that comes with tort as stock you'll see how much you like the look of their tort guards.

rexter

I have a couple of WD music real celluloid ones, probably don't need them both but I have a tendency to hoard Jazzmaster parts... I can take a couple of pictures tomorrow if you want to see what they look like and maybe you can twist my arm to sell one if you like them 

edit- found this picture -



it's decent stuff but yep obviously not a patch on the vintage stuff...

francer

I quite like the fenderparts ones you can buy off ebay or reverb, they’re a decent price and look pretty good (to me, anyways) and they’re celluloid.

Top tip - they’re usually pretty dull when they arrive but shine up really nicely with a bit of Brasso.

Yay! I finally cracked posting an image! Please tell me you guys can see them

GavRichList

lasermonkey said:

The only decent tortoiseshell scratchplates are vintage Fender and Spitfire. Everything else looks pretty naff, IMO. It's obviously hard to do well, or everyone would be doing it.
They're not.

This, in spades. ALL the others, without exception, look grim. Corned beef. 

Lebarque

GavRichList said:

lasermonkey said:

The only decent tortoiseshell scratchplates are vintage Fender and Spitfire. Everything else looks pretty naff, IMO. It's obviously hard to do well, or everyone would be doing it.
They're not.

This, in spades. ALL the others, without exception, look grim. Corned beef. 

Where can I get a used one from though, @GavRichList ?

Lebarque

rexter said:

I have a couple of WD music real celluloid ones, probably don't need them both but I have a tendency to hoard Jazzmaster parts... I can take a couple of pictures tomorrow if you want to see what they look like and maybe you can twist my arm to sell one if you like them 

edit- found this picture -



it's decent stuff but yep obviously not a patch on the vintage stuff...

Thanks, @rexter ;. I might see if I can find a Spitfire or vintage one first.

GavRichList

Lebarque said:

GavRichList said:

lasermonkey said:

The only decent tortoiseshell scratchplates are vintage Fender and Spitfire. Everything else looks pretty naff, IMO. It's obviously hard to do well, or everyone would be doing it.
They're not.

This, in spades. ALL the others, without exception, look grim. Corned beef. 

Where can I get a used one from though, @GavRichList ?

when I bought a Spitfire for my old AVRI, I got it from OSG. I put a wanted ad up, and had a couple of responses pretty swiftly. I ended up with a great one, never used, and it was a LOT cheaper than the advertised prices. 

RMJ

GavRichList said:

Lebarque said:

GavRichList said:

lasermonkey said:

The only decent tortoiseshell scratchplates are vintage Fender and Spitfire. Everything else looks pretty naff, IMO. It's obviously hard to do well, or everyone would be doing it.
They're not.

This, in spades. ALL the others, without exception, look grim. Corned beef. 

Where can I get a used one from though, @GavRichList ?

when I bought a Spitfire for my old AVRI, I got it from OSG. I put a wanted ad up, and had a couple of responses pretty swiftly. I ended up with a great one, never used, and it was a LOT cheaper than the advertised prices. 

And now it's mine...MINE!!!!

JerkMoans

Not really an answer to the question posed, @Lebarque but I really really rate Spitfire’s work (albeit that it is ludicrous sums to spend on a bit of plastic, but what price GAS obsessiveness?!)

Heres my own humble example.