Vintage Pickguard Question

[fromthebeginning]

Hi I have a 68 Tele Custom (see the photo), I removed the original pickguard a few years ago and went to reinstall it and it had shrunk (only 4 screw really line up), almost impossible to get back on. I replaced it with a Montreux, aged, pearloid back, very nice product.

I've been trying to find someone who can/will stretch it out (and of course do a good job) but the search is not going well. I've read/reviewed numerous articles/videos about people heating and stretching warped/shrunk pickguards and to be honest none of look like it worth risking the original.

My questions are:
Should I just leave it with the Montreux and keep the original as case candy?
Does anyone know anyone who can do a stretch?
I've seen the videos from someone who tried it with a heat gun, is it worth the risk?

Thanks for your input.

 

[Fretting out]

If it were mine I’d screw it down to a board like you’ve done (of course all holes so it doesn’t warp anymore)*

And just keep the repro on

I know you can flatten a warped guard but I’ve never heard of anyone actually being able to “stretch” it so the holes line back up

*I know it doesn’t matter to screw the guard down if it’s never going to be reused but I’m funny about stuff

 

[RodeoTex]

I don't know about saving a vintage pickguard but that is a beautiful guitar.
Sorry, I'm no help.

 

[Chuckster]

Good Lord, that is a gorgeous guitar. I melt for double-bound Teles.

 

[Antoon]

Stretching like with a rolling pin? Or a press?

 

[Peegoo]

@fromthebeginning There is no stretching a shrinking nitrate pickguard. Refitting it to a guitar involves doweling the holes in the body that are 'off' and re-drilling the body to match the holes in the pickguard.

If you screw it to a board for long-term storage, you risk breaking it because it may continue to shrink. You've probably seen vintage Teles missing the rounded point of the 'guard on the treble horn. That's what happens.

Best bet for storage is to tape it between two 12"x12" pieces of smooth plywood with a single layer packing paper on either side.

 

[Fretting out]

@fromthebeginning There is no stretching a shrinking nitrate pickguard. Refitting it to a guitar involves doweling the holes in the body that are 'off' and re-drilling the body to match the holes in the pickguard.

If you screw it to a board for long-term storage, you risk breaking it because it may continue to shrink. You've probably seen vintage Teles missing the rounded point of the 'guard on the treble horn. That's what happens.

Best bet for storage is to tape it between two 12"x12" pieces of smooth plywood with a single layer packing paper on either side.

I was going to suggest sandwiching it between plywood but didn’t think about the screws being a problem

It definitely makes sense though

 

[FenderLover]

I feel your pain. Here's my '68 shrinkage, and a minor plastic washer solution:

 

[Matthias]

My ’67 Bronco is a similar story. Does this stuff ever stop shrinking?

 

[Marn99]

My ’67 Bronco is a similar story. Does this stuff ever stop shrinking?

To my knowledge, no, it does not. Cellulose nitrate is an inherently unstable material. It is the fate of every celluloid Fender pickguard to shrink, dry out, and eventually crumble. It may take 10, 20, 50, 100 years or even more, but eventually, they will all turn to dust. Celluloid objects are a bit of a bane to museum curators because of this.

 

[fromthebeginning]

@fromthebeginning There is no stretching a shrinking nitrate pickguard. Refitting it to a guitar involves doweling the holes in the body that are 'off' and re-drilling the body to match the holes in the pickguard.

If you screw it to a board for long-term storage, you risk breaking it because it may continue to shrink. You've probably seen vintage Teles missing the rounded point of the 'guard on the treble horn. That's what happens.

Best bet for storage is to tape it between two 12"x12" pieces of smooth plywood with a single layer packing paper on either side.

Thanks everyone for the feedback, it's funny everywhere you look/read people recommend screwing it to a board but your comments on NOT screwing it to a board (just sandwiching it between two pieces of plywood) sounds a lot better and should help avoid any damage caused by shrinkage.

PS, I think I'll just stash the original (as you mentioned) and keep the reproduction that I had made on the 68 (because it does have the pearloid back and the matching edge angle), it looks almost as if it was original.

Thanks again for you recommendations, feedback and assistance.

 

[Wildeman]

That guitar is stunning, I feel your pain but I would rather have a nice reproduction guard than a funky warped original, or doweled holes, leave the original as case candy is my vote.

 

[Chipss36]

Ya may want to get ahold of crazy parts in Germany, they did me a very vintage accurate guard on my 64, In real nitrate with the wide black line.
Very happy with the work they did.
I am very picky about this kind of stuff.

 

[fromthebeginning]

Ya may want to get ahold of crazy parts in Germany, they did me a very vintage accurate guard on my 64, In real nitrate with the wide black line.
Very happy with the work they did.
I am very picky about this kind of stuff.

Thanks for the heads up, I got one from Gunslinger in Germany who had one made by Montreux (of Japan) didn’t quite cut it, I also had one made by Fender Custom Pickguards (I think that’s their name or something like that) on Reverb, they did the pearloid back perfect match and the bevel was correct but the front was a little to gray (almost what I want). I sent a note to Crazy Parts (with photos) as you mentioned, hoping for a positive response. Thanks again.

 

[willietheweirdo]

+1 on using the repro... pickguards are consumables like strings and their purpose is to be sacrificial. It's wall art now...

 

[capitalbear]

Don't use heat, the result is uncontrollable!!
"Re-flattening" works to a certain degree, but even there the risk of unwanted side effects is paramount.

 

[fromthebeginning]

Ya may want to get ahold of crazy parts in Germany, they did me a very vintage accurate guard on my 64, In real nitrate with the wide black line.
Very happy with the work they did.
I am very picky about this kind of stuff.

Thanks wondering how Crazy Parts did with the color match?

 

[plexi69]

Totally dig the amp setup. Brown face amps are the perfect bridge between tweed and blackface.

 

[Chipss36]

Thanks wondering how Crazy Parts did with the color match?

Take the picture posted, and compare to any real 64, I think crazy parts did better than any I have seen. Including the custom shop, the colors seem spot on.
The nylon parts they make are the same, and used above. They also look correct also under a blacklight .

Then look at what the custom shop does. The fender cs is not even close.
Not in materials ,shades of color. Or even the font’s used.

Are they 100% perfect? Well no, but the best I have seen so far.

 

[Antoon]

I understand that the materials that these pickguards are made from, are up to a point thermoplastic. So I guess with mild heat, flat metal dyes and an industrial press with just the right amount of pressure, it should be possible to increase the size of the pickguard by just 1% or so, without deforming it.