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Finally, I present to you: TORT TUESDAY
- Thread starter Ant Illington
- Start date
- Jan 28, 2009
- 2,929
- 4,152
- Disclosures
- Owner: Moonshine Custom Guitars
It is not illegal to own a tortoise (as in made from a tortoise shell... from a tortoise.) pick, but it is illegal to sell them without proper documentation and trust me when I say that this guy did not look like he had ever had any proper documentation of any kind in his entire life.
Here's a quote on the subject compliments of"Pick Collecting Quarterly" (don't ask me, I just googled it)...
"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats in the United States. Under the ESA, it unlawful to offer for sale or to sell in interstate commerce any endangered species of wildlife, and the charge carries a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment and a fine of $100,000.
So, it is NOT illegal to own a tortoise shell pick or to re-work an antique item made of material of protected species. However, the means in which you obtained that material is what may be an illegal offense. If you cannot obtain a pre-convention certificate for your TS picks on the grounds of pre-convention origin, it's illegal to sell them across state or international lines. It is not for the authorities to prove that it is an unauthorized material you're shipping … it's up to you to prove that it meets the specified guidelines, which is where the permit application process comes in. The only TS picks, that I can think of, that may possibly be approved for a pre-convention certificate are those that have a patent, such as the Fissore (Le-Fixe) pick or that can be supported by catalogs, such as D'Andrea's TS picks with their early logo on them. There are also allowances for antique items, such as TS picks, however you would have to prove the picks are over 100 years old. I don't know how you could prove that a blank TS pick is antique or not. Additionally, some countries, like Canada, do not recognize antique exemptions. "
There is a large number of acoustic guitar and mandolin players that believe that a genuine (see above) tortoise pick offers the ultimate in tone. I myself an not proficient enough on either instrument (though I try!) to be even close to someone asking my advice on this subject.
I don't even use it. I keep it in my wallet like a 16 year old with a condom, taking it out only to impress my friends.
Moonshine
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The Fendowsky (this has tort on the back as well)
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Happy to show off mine, too!
A *HEAVILY* modified SX Jazz. Literally the only SX parts are the neck (but not the tuners, string trees, or nut), the body (just the wood), and the neck plate.
Precision V
And last, but not least, is my #1, my honeyburst Stingray 5HH.
A *HEAVILY* modified SX Jazz. Literally the only SX parts are the neck (but not the tuners, string trees, or nut), the body (just the wood), and the neck plate.
Precision V
And last, but not least, is my #1, my honeyburst Stingray 5HH.
I am reporting a detorting:
oops! Pardon Me!! I detorted!!
And to balance this egregious injustice, I quickly added a tort guard to my P/J bass this week:
oops! Pardon Me!! I detorted!!
And to balance this egregious injustice, I quickly added a tort guard to my P/J bass this week:
PAGING ALL LUTHIERS! Can anyone make me a tortoise shell Precision bass and cut a lake placid blue pickguard for it?
Make it a 3TS pickguard and I'd say you're on to something!
Ultradust
Commercial User
- May 19, 2007
- 227
- 1,052
- Disclosures
- General Manager, Moollon
While at the shop a while back I convinced Boss to let me borrow one of his swamp ash P models strung up with roundwounds, and so he pulled out one of two shop demos he did with a Danelectro-style guard and Jaguar mute attached for thumpy fun (foam removed at the moment).
The Tort he's been using for the past 3 years or so is quite nice in texture and has a slightly red tinge to it.
The Tort he's been using for the past 3 years or so is quite nice in texture and has a slightly red tinge to it.
Yes, that much Tort in connection with the natural resonance of the doghouse would likely throw the Earth off of it's natural orbit. Thank you for letting as live.
It is a shame that we can only "like" this im the same manner as much less funny posts. "Police sketch of Tort." I'm still laughing 2 days later. Yep, in addition to a "do not like" button, TB needs a "super-like" button. We could call it "The Jaco." No, too controversial. We'll call it the "Will Lee." Nobody can argue that he's not super-likable on many levels.
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Big Hoss
Up note, down note, blue note, brown note...
- Sep 5, 2014
- 5,455
- 4,234
- Disclosures
- None
Strangely enough burst finishes when I first started playing really did nothing for me I just didn't like them. They've grown on me over the years to the point where that's all I want now.Make it a 3TS pickguard and I'd say you're on to something!
No joke. I can list them out in order...
1984 Ibanez Roadstar II, Candy Apple Red with white PG.
2001 Squier PJ bass. Series long forgotten. It was a Made in Indonesia model I do recall that. Candy Aple Red with black PG.
1991 Ibanez SR505, Black.
2003 Ibanez SR480 (Still have it) Natural Mahogany.
1993 Ibanez SR500. Natural gloss maple.
2015 Squier Affinity Jazz. Burgundy Mist with Tort.
2015 SX Ursa 1 RN 3TS. With tort. Yummy!
2015 SX Ursa 2 MN 5 3TS pending tortage.
2017 SX Ursa 3 MN 3TS with vintage white pearl PG.
2017 Fender FA-135CE Acoustic Electric guitar. 3TS.
My GAS list?
SX Ursa 3 MN Alder 3TS Fretless.
SX Ursa 2 MN 3TS.
SX Hawk MN Alder 3TS (strat copy)
SX Hawk MN Alder 3TS P90
And either tort, or vintage white pearl PGs where I can!
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Thanks! It's the nicest fretless I have ever had. ( My backup is a Trans Orange with tort...I'll have to find the photo.) I lucked out that right after I placed the order they discontinued honeyburst and the piezo option.
I'm old and my last band...well...disbanded so I'm pretty much a retired bassist now. Probably will sell most or all of my stuff in the future.
Sorry...back to the tort!
burst has two letters in common with Tort so I can understand the confusion among bassists that this might be a burst thread. To be clear, it is not a burst thread.
When posting about TORT, it is okay to incidentally mention/depict other, lesser things like paint jobs, gig bags or the bass itself. Ugh. However, follow-up posts to such distractions are severely frowned upon. You now have 2 Warning points. Do NOT make it 3.
