Fender Telecaster question

jvdb · #1 12-03-2011, 01:17 PM

Hi guys,

What caused the pickguards on the single coil Telecaster basses (68-71) to disintegrate?

I recently bought an all original 71 and the pg is an original. I'd like to keep it that way. Any preservation advices?

Bongolation · #2 12-03-2011, 01:38 PM

That's an excellent question, and I hope some materials engineer can give us a good answer.

They did indeed disintegrate, I've seen it with my own eyes many times.

It wasn't because they were nitrocellulose-based, as Fender didn't use nitrocellulose for pickguards after October of 1964, or so FMIC has told me.

In a related question, I should like to know why Fender pickguards still shrink so fatally after all these years.

One Drop · #3 12-03-2011, 07:21 PM

Normally it's only the '68 Tele basses that had the errant P/Gs. They were unstable and would disintegrate. Not sure what he catalyst was, if it was from a reaction to another material or just the air. I've seen ones where the body finish was damaged by the guard gassing out in the case over time.

kcole4001 · #4 12-04-2011, 06:09 AM

I had a '71 which had no 'guard issues at all.

One Drop · #5 12-04-2011, 08:00 AM

I checked up and the early white P/Gs were single-ply nitrocellulose, replaced quite early (before the end of the year?) with 3-ply vinyl one (un-bevelled to keep the single-ply look).

jvdb · #6 12-10-2011, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by One Drop

I checked up and the early white P/Gs were single-ply nitrocellulose, replaced quite early (before the end of the year?) with 3-ply vinyl one (un-bevelled to keep the single-ply look).

Ah, so no need to worry I guess. Thanks guys!