Tort Guards - Is Fender worth the extra $$ or do they all use the same plastic?

[Jim C]

My 72 P has an aftermarket guard and I wanted to restore back to as close to orignal as possible with a repro.

Is Fender worth the extra $$ or do all the big names use the same plastic? Am assuming that all use accurate templates and CNC punch presses.

Also, any tort gurads that you have seen that look great but not necessarily like 70's vintage? TIA

[joinercape]

Fender tort is really nice, there are others really nice too, like Chandler, though they are even more money. You will only do it once, so just do it right and be done with it...

[testing1two]

Yes, there is a difference between the Fender guards and the less expensive aftermarket guards (like WD). The aftermarket guards are flimsy by comparison and in some cases brittle.

If you're looking for tortoise shell, you want to be sure you're getting a real celluloid tortoise shell guard and not a cheap vinyl copy. Also, there is red tortoise, brown tortoise, and dark brown tortoise. Most folks prefer brown or dark brown tortoise which has more color variation than red. There is also the standard 3-ply or the '62 spec 4 ply. And if all that wasn't enough, you have to decide whether or not you want the truss rod notch or not.

[Truktek2]

Many times the cheaper ones don't fit properly. I've had to make the holes line up and shave a little around the neck just to get them to fit. After wasting my time and money I usually end up buying original. You'd think after doing that about 4 times i'd learn

[TXLawDawg]

I like the Warmoth tort as well. However, it did not line up with two of the existing holes on the Highway 1 Jazz I put it on and I had to trim the area around the control plate. Nice looking though.

[seanm]

I went with the Fender to get a real four ply pickguard. It was worth it for me.