Jazzman105 wrote: I have a tortoise shell pickguard on my Nashville tele (3 pups) and am looking to swap it out for a white pearloid pickguard. I can't seem to find one locally. I can order a generic one from the States for R735 incl shipping, excl customs charge, but was hoping for some advice from anyone with more experience.

It is perhaps more affordable to buy the normal tele guard and have the extra pup hole cut somewhere in the Cape Town area?

Pickguards & pickguard material are all imported - unless it's a sheet of plexi (usually 3mm) someone has had laser cut. I now Brian Fanner has a stash of material, but he uses most of it on his (awesome) builds - his ukelele tele's are quite something!

A replacement fender one won't be cheap, but you might get lucky by asking on the SA facebook groups (SA Music Instrument Store & Revolution Music group) and posting a classified ad on GFSA. Alternatively you might find someone with a pickguard blank or a standard one and get it cut (laser/C&C) to spec. If you arn't the DIY type, my mate has recently gotten into luthier work, so if you get stuck PM me.

P.s. You shouldn't pay import duties on parts, but probably will have to pay VAT + handling (+/- 15.5%).

Thanks for the advice Meron. I am certainly not the DIY type when it gets to cutting and modding pickguards. I have absolutely no experience on that front. I will follow your advice and use the online forums first and see if I get lucky. 8)

I get mine pro and perfectly cut in Benoni by Pete Buckle.

In Cape Town try. http://www.fosterguitarworks.com/contact.html.

If he doesn't have pearloid sheets you can get cheaper Tele pick guards at terryds, and get that additionally cut. http://www.terryd.co.za/gptspgds.html

studmissile wrote: I get mine pro and perfectly cut in Benoni by Pete Buckle.

In Cape Town try. http://www.fosterguitarworks.com/contact.html.

If he doesn't have pearloid sheets you can get cheaper Tele pick guards at terryds, and get that additionally cut. http://www.terryd.co.za/gptspgds.html

Thank you Studmissile! I'll speak to Foster first then

I had a chat with Foster and he has a Jap Tele pickguard (standard, two pickup guard) and he is prepared to cut the extra pup-hole. It has nine screw-holes instead of the (standard?) eight. Which means he'll have to drill an extra hole - which is not ideal, but I guess I can live with that. I was looking for white or white pearloid and this one is white, naturally faded to cream.

We put the guard in place over the original and I Photoshopped the middle pickup in... to have a visual idea of what the result will look like. Any thoughts and comments will be appreciated!

The bottom pick is what it currently looks like with the original tortoise shell pickguard

It's a traditional look with the white, will look a lot like a classic vibe or Tele standard? It just looks a bit odd with the black pickup covers (especially the middle one).

On this, I prefer the tortiseshell one - which usually isn't my taste. But it could just be the pickup covers.

Meron Rigas wrote: It's a traditional look with the white, will look a lot like a classic vibe or Tele standard? It just looks a bit odd with the black pickup covers (especially the middle one).

On this, I prefer the tortiseshell one - which usually isn't my taste. But it could just be the pickup covers.

I hear you Meron. The cream definitely gives it a classic look, but I'm 50/50 on this decision. Hence putting it out for comment. One thing is certain, I don't like the tortoise shell.

Jazzman105 wrote:

Meron Rigas wrote: It's a traditional look with the white, will look a lot like a classic vibe or Tele standard? It just looks a bit odd with the black pickup covers (especially the middle one).

On this, I prefer the tortiseshell one - which usually isn't my taste. But it could just be the pickup covers.

I hear you Meron. The cream definitely gives it a classic look, but I'm 50/50 on this decision. Hence putting it out for comment. One thing is certain, I don't like the tortoise shell.

One thing I did try a while ago (with mixed success) was vinyl wrap pickguards. A lot of a fiddle to get it looking goo - but cheap, easy to undo & no need to try and find & fettle a new pickguard. I did a Pbass pickguard that came out real nice (nobody noticed it was a wrap), but the chrome one wasn't nearly as good.

One thing I learnt was use automotive wrap - it stretches a bit better with heat and is a bit harder wearing than the craft/diy stuff. Maizey's in Paarden Eiland have a decent range.

Sjoe Meron. You're full of ideas. ? I'll look into Maizey's. It is perhaps a good trial-option. Thanks!

Sorry not a big fan of the pure white or the extra 2 holes?Did you try for a pearloid pickguard from terryd?

studmissile wrote: Sorry not a big fan of the pure white or the extra 2 holes?Did you try for a pearloid pickguard from terryd?

They have none, but expect new stock by end-May. I'm toying with ideas in the meanwhile... Before committing to a colour and a course of action. I don't want to do this twice.

PS: Since you don't like the pure white... will pearloid be significantly different in your opinion?

Tortoise shell is a traditional 'hotrod' colour for a tricked-out Nashville tele-not really my taste. The other colours that look good to me on a sunburst are black or maybe parchment.

Jazzman105 wrote:

studmissile wrote: Sorry not a big fan of the pure white or the extra 2 holes?Did you try for a pearloid pickguard from terryd?

They have none, but expect new stock by end-May. I'm toying with ideas in the meanwhile... Before committing to a colour and a course of action. I don't want to do this twice.

PS: Since you don't like the pure white... will pearloid be significantly different in your opinion?

Maybe its just the extra two holes that look like a jerry job? I'm also not a big fan of tortoise pick guard, except of course on a nashville ?.

In my opinion these are your two best options.

Maybe its just the extra two holes that look like a jerry job? I'm also not a big fan of tortoise pick guard, except of course on a nashville ?.
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Heheheheee

The top one is stunning (white pickup cover noted). I think I'll wait and see what Terryd gets and take it from there. Their prices are in the region of R150 for plain and R520 for pearloid pickguards at the moment