Early 60s Telecaster Custom Pickguard

[macg1]

A few years back I bought a player grade 1961 Telecaster Custom (see the guitar in the linked video below). I am trying to find the right vintage or vintage correct replacement guard for it. My research suggests celluloid nitrate as the material, but should it be 3 ply or 4 ply? Should the back of the guard be white or tortoise shell? Should it green or parchment on top? I have seen a few variations on Reverb, claiming to be vintage or vintage correct.

Anyhow, here is my 61 being demo'd by the seller 1961 Custom Telecaster

 

[Lochry]

I can share some detailed info based on personal experience . . . admittedly based on a sample size of one (1).

My '62 Esquire came with its original three-ply (white-black-white) celluloid guard. The Esquire was a custom color so it received the same three-ply guard as the Custom model that year. This was a working guitar, is not a prime example of a pristine pickguard but does reflect what happens to celluloid.

Over 60+ years the guard shrank . . . a lot. The pickguard screws were backed out as the shrinkage occurred which prevented breaks. The "strumming edge" looks worn, rough, and crumbly. White celluloid around old dings in the top layer has parted to reveal the black middle layer.

The top and bottom layers have a slight greenish tinge -- a very subtle, under the surface tinge -- that lends the guard a 3-D, pearl-like luster. Modern imitations look pretty good but, when compared side by side with the original, look too flat and too green.

Finding an original, unbroken '61 Tele nitro guard that still fits will be an expensive (perhaps impossible) quest. If I were you, I'd look for a good three-ply reissue and lean toward white/parchment as opposed to fake green.

 

[Michael Smith]

If you get a modern replacement pickguard, in all likelihood, not all of the screw holes will line up with your guitar. I bought a modern replacement 3 ply for a 20 year old Squire Tele, and only 3 of the 8 holes lined up. I plugged and re-drilled my guitar body to fit the new pickguard. Not an issue for me, as the guitar isn't valuable.

 

[badinfinities]

Perhaps this?

VOS • 1960's Tele Custom / Tele Pickguard in Mint

Welcome to the Realistic Relics Vintage Collection • VOS! Style for Telecaster® & Custom Telecaster® 1959 - 1965. 3 Ply 8 Hole PatternAlso compatible with Late 60's to Early 70's. * See dropdown tabs below for info on VOS Finish and Collection Details Vintage Pale Mint Green Color - Made to...

realisticrelics.com

 

[macg1]

Thank you all for the replies and the link out realistic relics. I was not aware of that store.

Yeah celluloid nitrate really is a pain in the neck over time, with the shrinkage issues. Also agree that getting an original one will be a costly endeavor that I don't need to do. My hope was to eventually find a new production using the right materials because we all know that tone is in the pickguard!

Crazyparts uses the right material but they never have the darn thing in stock. It is basically a lottery, and they have had to refund me a couple of times (even though their website shows available.

Thank you again for all the info!

 

[GilmourD]

If you get a modern replacement pickguard, in all likelihood, not all of the screw holes will line up with your guitar. I bought a modern replacement 3 ply for a 20 year old Squire Tele, and only 3 of the 8 holes lined up. I plugged and re-drilled my guitar body to fit the new pickguard. Not an issue for me, as the guitar isn't valuable.

In all fairness, it's only since the Classic Vibe series was introduced that pickguards fit a Squier. Since then the only time I had an issue with a pickguard on a Squier was when I replaced the guard on my wife's Affinity. The pickguard was cut like an AVRI guard (perfectly matched the other AVRI guards I have, holes and all) but I had to trim the neck and bridge cutouts to get it to fit. Didn't have to fill-n-drill any of the holes at all.

Old Squiers? I think they put a pickguard on a dartboard and drilled wherever the darts hit.

I'd put money on an AVRI guard fitting. HOWEVER, it won't be actual celluloid nitrate since Fender doesn't use that anymore, partially because it was highly flammable, but there are bougie guard makers that could do one for you. I think Spitfire?

 

[Bartholomew3]

Have a really good tech cut one for you. Anything you buy online probably won't fit properly.

 

[Antoon]

I would also consider Spitfire Pickguards, like. Their white and aged mint look convincing.