/ Register

Aftermarket pickguards that don't look terrible?

Discussion in 'Tele-Technical' started by loopfinding, Sep 19, 2020.

  1. Sep 19, 2020 #1
    loopfinding

    loopfinding Tele-Meister

    Posts:
    277
    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2011
    Location:
    europe endless
    Hey all, I'm going to soon be needing either a p90 or mini-humbucker guard for my tele. I've bought aftermarket pickguards in the past and was only happy once I bought a legitimate fender part.

    There are always three problems:

    1) the parchments are too green, and the aged whites are cartoonishly cream (whereas the Fender is the perfect off-white)
    2) the curve on the upper left bout of the guard where it meets the neck is always a weird sharp angle
    3) the material is always too thin and it feels cheap

    Anyone know of a good easily available replacement that rivals the Fender guards?

    I'd modify this pickguard once I'm commited, but I'd like the option to switch back without getting banged another 30 dollars (and I'll probably do an bad job to boot).

    Any help much appreciated.
     
  2. Sep 19, 2020 #2
    xtelesquirex

    xtelesquirex Tele-Holic

    Posts:
    543
    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2020
    Location:
    USA
    I only know of Allparts and WD and I can't speak first-hand for the quality of either.
     
  3. Sep 19, 2020 #3
    Dan_Pomykalski

    Dan_Pomykalski Tele-Meister

    Age:
    30
    Posts:
    298
    Joined:
    May 16, 2019
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    Anytime I get something from Allparts it never seems to fit.

    Edit: it’s probably been a decade since I’ve gotten anything from them. Could be better now.
     
  4. Sep 19, 2020 #4
    Dan_Pomykalski

    Dan_Pomykalski Tele-Meister

    Age:
    30
    Posts:
    298
    Joined:
    May 16, 2019
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    https://stratosphereparts.com/
     
    RhythmFender likes this.
  5. Sep 20, 2020 #5
    garrett

    garrett Tele-Afflicted

    Posts:
    1,519
    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2007
    Location:
    Just south of Tampa Bay
    I've been very pleased with Warmoth. Over the years I've gotten two Strat and three Tele guards from them.

    All but one were three ply parchment. Color, fit, and quality have been consistently great. They can do a P-90 or mini hum rout for you, no problem.
     
    xtelesquirex and rstaaf like this.
  6. Sep 20, 2020 #6
    EsquireOK

    EsquireOK Friend of Leo's

    Posts:
    4,333
    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2011
    Location:
    U.S.A.
    It all comes down to the right material and the right template.

    W.D. does all right IME. I have had problems with the templates that they themselves have created. But anything they've copied from an actual existing pickguard is fine. And they have enough materials to choose from.
     
  7. Sep 20, 2020 #7
    Leonardocoate

    Leonardocoate Tele-Meister

    Posts:
    127
    Joined:
    Nov 16, 2015
    Location:
    Ohio
    I have had good luck with Stew Mac and Guitar Fetish...I have only about 6 total 4 from Stew Mac and 2 from GF.....Strats and Tele....no problems
     
  8. Sep 20, 2020 #8
    stratisfied

    stratisfied Tele-Meister

    Age:
    67
    Posts:
    357
    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2019
    Location:
    Midwest
    I've not had any of the issues you mention with even $9.99 pickguards off eBay. If you stick with 4 ply guards, you won't have the buckling around the screw holes like the 3 ply. Color wise, it's all a crap shoot as photos all vary with the lighting. Fender of course is the most consistent color-wise for their plastic parts. If you're shooting for matching knobs, pickup covers and pickguard you have to go all Fender Parchment or Aged white. I've never seen a cream pickguard I actually liked on a guitar other than a Les a Paul anyway so I never bother with them.
     
  9. Sep 20, 2020 #9
    dogmeat

    dogmeat Tele-Afflicted

    Age:
    69
    Posts:
    1,880
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2017
    Location:
    Alaska
    last one I got was from Dragonfire on fleabay. like it a lot. here it is on my freshly painted dumpster find
     

    Attached Files:

  10. Sep 20, 2020 #10
    telemnemonics

    telemnemonics Telefied Ad Free Member

    Age:
    60
    Posts:
    22,546
    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2010
    Location:
    Maine
    Allparts always fit for me, but of course Tele bodies vary and even Fender guards seem to vary.
    I buy lots of guards and that seems to help...
     
  11. Sep 20, 2020 #11
    telemnemonics

    telemnemonics Telefied Ad Free Member

    Age:
    60
    Posts:
    22,546
    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2010
    Location:
    Maine
    99A4F2E6-6B03-4737-9663-3177CB08394A.jpeg Most of these look nice but not all fit all bodies right.
     
    scotartt likes this.
  12. Sep 20, 2020 #12
    Chandlerman

    Chandlerman TDPRI Member

    Posts:
    90
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2011
    Location:
    Central Coast Cal
    E5RSY and Lost_N_Austin like this.
  13. Sep 20, 2020 #13
    E5RSY

    E5RSY Doctor of Teleocity

    Posts:
    10,916
    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2009
    Location:
    Georgetown, TX
    A common problem and it's a hard mark for such companies to hit every time.

    I have a friend who says "WD" stands for "wrong dimensions". But, that's really just their off-the-rack stuff. As noted above, if you send a good tracing, you'll almost certainly get a good guard.
     
IMPORTANT: Treat everyone here with respect, no matter how difficult!
No sex, drug, political, religion or hate discussion permitted here.