spencer.b Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 I'm a massive fender geek and I love the old 60s tort guards to the point where anything else looks instantly all wrong to me I've got a surf green CS P with a gold anodised guard which is cool but for me it's a 60s looking bass with a 50s guard so a fancy a tort one Spitfire guards look amazing but are insanely expensive ( although I wouldn't say overpriced considering he's making a bespoke sheet of celluloid to your spec) I've got a mate in America who comes over a lot so I could dodge duty etc but £230 odd quid for pickguard , am I going mad? Anyone got one? What do you reckon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary mac Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 Agree with you about the old sixties tort and for me nothing else comes close. When I needed to replace a 63 tort guard, I went for the real thing, it took a lot of searching and talking to different contacts but it was all worth it, when I eventually located one and got it. Dearer than a Spitfire one but not by that much. I seem to recall a BC'er having some bother with Spitfire a few years back. (Try a search and you might find the thread). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 (edited) 10 minutes ago, gary mac said: Agree with you about the old sixties tort and for me nothing else comes close. When I needed to replace a 63 tort guard, I went for the real thing, it took a lot of searching and talking to different contacts but it was all worth it, when I eventually located one and got it. Dearer than a Spitfire one but not by that much. I seem to recall a BC'er having some bother with Spitfire a few years back. (Try a search and you might find the thread). Yes indeed. I remember than thread very well. It all got quite surreal in the end. I know what you mean. I had the Bass Doc make a total of 3 tort plates for me. I seem to recall he used a WD 4-ply material that looks identical to the 70's real thing on other basses I own. Infinitely better than the awful tort plates on Fender's own reissues and even on the JV Squiers. Here's the thread. Edited March 29, 2019 by Steve Browning 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencer.b Posted March 29, 2019 Author Share Posted March 29, 2019 Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 (edited) I need a quality guard for my Lakland 4460. Could the BassDoc make me one.? Edited March 29, 2019 by bubinga5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencer.b Posted March 29, 2019 Author Share Posted March 29, 2019 That thread's a bit worrying, the only vintage fender one I've seen so far was over a grand! I've got my eye's peeled for a 2nd hand spitfire on reverb and talkbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencer.b Posted March 29, 2019 Author Share Posted March 29, 2019 Does anyone know if custom colour basses actually came with tort , I thought they were always white and pics in books suggest this but you see CS ones with tort, I wonder if this has become a thing cos it looks cool and sunburst basses got refinished , is pino's bass all orig? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 I talked to Mr Bravewood a few years ago, and he steared me towards WD as a good current version. And yes, it’s worth the effort..bad tort is a terrible and far too common thing. I do know of someone who grows his own, so to speak...and could be tempted to reveal his identity in a PM 😳 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencer.b Posted March 29, 2019 Author Share Posted March 29, 2019 Cheers bassbod, the WD is pretty good but still not quite there for me, PM incoming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 The WD one is decent, I can attest to that. I was umming and ah-ing over a Spitfire, but ultimately turned off by the price and poor customer service. Heard of one case where someone's guards did not come out as expected, e.g. colours different to advertised with a massive ugly blotch in the center, and there was no offer of refunds or anything. I'd ask for detailed photos of the finished product before handing over any cash! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZilchWoolham Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 If you keep an eye on Reverb and eBay, you can find at least late 60's/early 70's plates for no more than what the Spitfire man charges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted March 29, 2019 Share Posted March 29, 2019 I hate to disappoint, but apparently Spitfire pickguards don't fit Fender Custom Shop basses. He uses MIA templates and they won't fit a CS because their sizings differ. It says this on the Spitfire website as a disclaimer. I wanted one for my CS '62.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencer.b Posted March 29, 2019 Author Share Posted March 29, 2019 39 minutes ago, miles'tone said: I hate to disappoint, but apparently Spitfire pickguards don't fit Fender Custom Shop basses. He uses MIA templates and they won't fit a CS because their sizings differ. It says this on the Spitfire website as a disclaimer. I wanted one for my CS '62.. Ta good to know 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubis Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 I have a mint green Spitfire guard which I got from a fellow BC'er, he had ordered it and then had a change of plan, so it was posted to me when he finished making it. Very nicely made and looks great. I'm almost finished this build and it will go on a Sonic Blue P bass. I didn't realise that Spitfire made mint guards, they seem best known for the tort ones, and as others have said, appear to be a bit hit and miss. Very happy with mine though. spencer.b, if mint green could be an option for you, these ones below, which came recommended by Rick's Fine '52, look really nice and I would have bought one, had the Spitfire guard not been offered. I will probably try one of his single ply guards for a future build I am contemplating...…….half the price and no import duties! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aged-MINT-GREEN-CELLULOID-NITRATE-62-PRECISION-BASS-PICKGUARD-3-Fender-P-Bass-/323079925413?hash=item4b39106ea5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencer.b Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 cheers rubis, that mint spitfire looks the absolute business, love the warping, so authentic. I've seen those ebay ones they look really good but not as good as the spitfire and if I can dodge the duty through getting my mate to bring it over the spitfire mint is a bit cheaper I hadn't realised CS werea different fit though, that may throw a spanner in the works, anyone know how they're different? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burns-bass Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 I had a Spitfire guard which I sold on here for about £100 (if my memory serves me correctly). It was nicely made but nothing like the depth of a real pre cbs tort guard. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NikNik Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 Those old nitro tort 'plates are like jewels from another world. I had one on my old '64 Jazz and it was a delight to behold. But >£200 for a Spitfire 'plate? Nahh.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geek99 Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 You can see mine on my build diaries thread I think it looks good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazed Posted March 31, 2019 Share Posted March 31, 2019 There is a place in Germany if I recall that make proper tort guards too. Damned if I can remember the name 😂 if that memory returns I’ll post a link up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencer.b Posted March 31, 2019 Author Share Posted March 31, 2019 Guitarslinger is the German company I think, they look okay but a bit dark and the haven't got a tort p in stock at the moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
three Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 On 29/03/2019 at 14:40, bubinga5 said: I need a quality guard for my Lakland 4460. Could the BassDoc make me one.? I was in conversation with the Bassdoc recently re: a replacement tort guard for a US 44-64. I sent him the original Lakland guard and he sent back some images of the celluloid tort that he has in stock. In his opinion, and mine, it's no better than the material that Lakland are using. My plate was promptly returned and I'm still looking for some beautiful '60s style tort. I had a Spitfire plate on a Limelight J a few years ago. It was simply staggeringly well-executed and could easily pass for (a very good) 'Fender '60s plate. Originally imported for around £200 (not by me) about 7 or 8 years ago. If you have to have something almost identical to '60s tort, I don't think that there's a better alternative to Spitfire. Horribly expensive but lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 1 hour ago, three said: I was in conversation with the Bassdoc recently re: a replacement tort guard for a US 44-64. I sent him the original Lakland guard and he sent back some images of the celluloid tort that he has in stock. In his opinion, and mine, it's no better than the material that Lakland are using. My plate was promptly returned and I'm still looking for some beautiful '60s style tort. I had a Spitfire plate on a Limelight J a few years ago. It was simply staggeringly well-executed and could easily pass for (a very good) 'Fender '60s plate. Originally imported for around £200 (not by me) about 7 or 8 years ago. If you have to have something almost identical to '60s tort, I don't think that there's a better alternative to Spitfire. Horribly expensive but lovely. Thing is i dont have the original guard So im just after a guard regardless of where it comes from. Good quality of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
three Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 2 hours ago, bubinga5 said: Thing is i dont have the original guard So im just after a guard regardless of where it comes from. Good quality of course. SIMS have some nice celluloid tort too, and does Jack's in Manchester - probably about £80-90 from SIMS or £60 from Jacks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 1 hour ago, three said: SIMS have some nice celluloid tort too, and does Jack's in Manchester - probably about £80-90 from SIMS or £60 from Jacks I was thinking about Sims. Would any of these guys have the correct Lakland screw spacing for the pickguard as there not all the same. I really dont want to drill more holes into this lovely Jazz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted April 1, 2019 Share Posted April 1, 2019 2 minutes ago, bubinga5 said: I was thinking about Sims. Would any of these guys have the correct Lakland screw spacing for the pickguard as there not all the same. I really dont want to drill more holes into this lovely Jazz. Could you take off the guard, draw round it on a piece of paper and mark the holes to produce a template? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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