Pickguards

Please note that I don't really sell pickguards as individual items, but do install them on guitars that I have in hand.  That is, if you ask me for a pickguard for your HD-28, I don't really do that.  But if I have your HD-28 in for a setup and you want a new pickguard, I will do that.  Reason for this is that I cut each pickguard by hand using the existing one as a template.  I try to get the most exact fit I possibly can.  Thus, this page is really for customers who want to see what stock I have on hand.

First, a stock D-18 GE pickguard.  It looks pretty good from a distance, but when you really look at it, the swirls are muddy and indistinct.  Plus, it's not quite the right color for a 30's Martin.
D18GE_stock.JPG (59735 bytes) Another stock D-18 GE guard.
This is a "light" Tortis pickguard, otherwise known as "Dalamation", "leopard", etc. The top grain will show thru this pickguard.
Ball_pickguard.JPG (64584 bytes) This is a "medium" Tortis pickguard, with the "real thing" as a comparison.  This color looks the most like real tortoiseshell to me.
medium_D19.JPG (56188 bytes) A medium Tortis on a D-19.
D18GE_medium.JPG (56046 bytes) Medium Tortis on a D-18 GE.
This is a "dark" Tortis pickguard. It's not quite as dark as this picture shows and there is really quite a bit of middle color showing thru. These look really sharp against a dark ebony fingerboard and bridge.

 

D18GE_dark.JPG (54542 bytes) Another dark Tortis on a D-18 GE. 
D18GE_50s.JPG (58747 bytes) Tortis 50's swirl- supposed to mimic the reddish 1950's type swirl.  Looks a lot like the stock guard, but with a much clearer and prettier swirl.
D18GE_30s.JPG (59372 bytes) Tortis 30's swirl-  a pretty open pattern and the color of the wood will definitely show thru this one.  Be aware that you will be able to see the 3M paper used to stick it on, at least at first until the paper dries up.  Compare this to the Deep River Vintage 30's and some real 1930's pickguards below.
Tortis 30's swirl on a sunburst D-18 GE.  Compare this to the 1936 sunburst D-18 down below.
Guards_on_top.JPG (80570 bytes) And finally, here's a picture of the Tortis colors on a raw red spruce top.   I had to over-expose the shot a little to get the pickguard colors to stand out, so the top is lighter than it actually is, but the pickguards look right.  From top left, clockwise: Dark, 30's swirl, 50's swirl, stock GE, medium.

 

   

 

Actual vintage pickguards for comparison:

1930's 00-18
1939 D-18
1936 D-18
   
   

Email me

Back to Music Page