Help me darken my Tort guard that is too red!

[Billyzoom]

I doubt this is exactly a popular common topic, but I bought a new server base last week and I ordered two custom Picard from sewer, one all black and one in tortoise. I would love the tortoise except it’s very red. I was hoping for something more than the darker and brown or shades.

I don’t necessarily mind being out 60 bucks, but I thought there’s got to be a way to change the appearance to make it look more dark or it’s more browns and such. Maybe some kind of adhesive tint that they use for windows? And I don’t know much about color theory or what might get me closer to the promised land, being darker with more brown

Anyway, I couldn’t really think of any other solutions, but thought I’d throw it out to all of you resourceful/creative folk to see if you have any suggestions or things you think might work.

I’ll attach a pic of the bass and ugly guard…

Thanks, all!

 

[michael_t]

My 2011 American Special Jazz, which I got used back in 2024, came with a red tort. I bit the bullet and bought a brown tort. I feel it was worth the cost.

 

[BrentD]

I'm generally a brown tort guy and I don’t usually like black and red as a color scheme, but the red tort on black looks good to me here, Billyzoom. I'm not advocating for leaving it or anything because it's your call, but it certainly doesn't look bad to me as-is. I don’t think you need to be in a rush.

I think the brown on white that michael_t installed looks better than the red, though!

 

[michael_t]

I'm generally a brown tort guy and I don’t usually like black and red as a color scheme, but the red tort on black looks good to me here...

I'm okay with red tort on black. It's the way the red tort clashes with the rosewood fretboard in the OP's pic that looks off to me. It would look better with a maple fretboard.

 

[tb-player]

I’d suggest buying a new one direct from Fender. Here’s mine on black w/ the stock guard and I love the look.
Edit: (I just realized yours is a Suhr) check out Pickguard Heaven/Chandler pickguards. They can do anything.

You can sell your old one on the classifieds. I just sold a pickguard yesterday.

 

[Gopherbassist]

Put on sunglasses.

 

[bdplaid]

I wonder if some window tint applied to the pick guard would work?

 

[Stylee Mousse]

I never get Picard from the sewer!

 

[el murdoque]

Stop calling it Tort.
Start calling it Salami.
Problem solved.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Perhaps you could stain it, or dye it darker.
Maybe just on the back side, might darken it?

Or the easiest solution, buy one that is the color you want.

 

[monsterthompson]

Whatever you do, avoid Avantguard. Their pricing is probably already a barrier to entry, but after reading the thread about them I wouldn’t gamble on their great looking guards as a solution.

 

[SharpCat]

I think it looks fine, just not for that bass. Don’t chance ruining it, grab a new one in brown and sell this one as previously suggested.

 

[KidAmnesia]

I never get Picard from the sewer!

It's from the Srar Trek/TMNT crossover episode.


I've seen white pickguards aged by submerging them in coffee or tea, maybe it's worth investigating if that works on tort too?

 

[lomo]

New brown tort 'guard. Me doth verily detesteth red tort, in spades, with cherries on top. Sweet bass.

 

[Michael Jewels]

Red tort rules!

The redder, the better!

 

[BassHole1]

Lightly scuff with a green abrasive sponge, then a 48 hour submerge it all in cold coffee or tea......that will get rid of that bright red.

 

[Swerve]

Does Suhr use the same dimensions as Fender for their pickguards? You can get a brown tort from Fleor on Amazon for less than $15. Here is one my BRG Jazz.

 

[Topkat13]

Check with Pickguardian. He has a website and lots of different materials. My experiences with Tony are very positive and he does high-quality work.

 

[Root 5]

My 2011 American Special Jazz, which I got used back in 2024, came with a red tort. I bit the bullet and bought a brown tort. I feel it was worth the cost.

View attachment 7566607

I kinda like the red, Michael!

 

[Root 5]

I doubt this is exactly a popular common topic, but I bought a new server base last week and I ordered two custom Picard from sewer, one all black and one in tortoise. I would love the tortoise except it’s very red. I was hoping for something more than the darker and brown or shades.

I don’t necessarily mind being out 60 bucks, but I thought there’s got to be a way to change the appearance to make it look more dark or it’s more browns and such. Maybe some kind of adhesive tint that they use for windows? And I don’t know much about color theory or what might get me closer to the promised land, being darker with more brown


View attachment 7566503

Anyway, I couldn’t really think of any other solutions, but thought I’d throw it out to all of you resourceful/creative folk to see if you have any suggestions or things you think might work.

I’ll attach a pic of the bass and ugly guard…

Thanks, all!

I like the red!