Do Tele Elites have pickguards?

The '83 Elites came with an adhesive-backed pickguard that the user/owner could attach at his or her own discretion. Mine, which I bought used, came with the pg attached.

I'll try to get a photo posted someday, but it is in storage at my M-I-L's spare bedroom.

So, basically, neither you, your friend, or the flyer are wrong.

Hope this helps...

Greg

 

A friend of mine has one with a pickguard.

 

As stated above, some did...some didn't
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I bought mine used, with the pickguard already installed. While I'd agree with you that in some cases, mine included, the guitar would look better without the pg, I don't know if I'd go about taking it off. I can just imagine peeling up alot of the original finish with the it.

Having said that, I once bought a Traynor amp head that a previous owner had glued black carpet-type material to. With a lot of patience and a liberal use of a product called "Goo-Be-Gone" I was able to disolve the adhesive, remove the carpet and utlimately restore the underlying Tolex.

If you can work a blade or paint scrapper under the pg, with the above or a similar product, you MAY be able to remove the pg with little to no damage.
Carefully, read and follow the instructions of anything you buy.

I know you didn't ask my advise as to whether you should or shouldn't, but I would suggest leaving the guitar as is. No matter what some, with good reason feel about those guitars and that era, it still is a 24 almost 25 year-old guitar, and a page (good or bad) of Fender history. All I'm saying is, who thought '70s instruments would be pulling the prices they are today?

But hey, it's your guitar. Go slow and good luck

Greg

 

Another thing to keep in mind is '20 some-odd-years worth' of overall fading on the guitar, while underneath would be original color. I would think that wouldn't be the best looking thing!

 

Good point, kb1rcefn.