Tortoise Shell Tele Pickguard: My Experience and Tone Test

Tortoise Shell Tele Pickguards: A Brief History and Overview

The tortoise shell tele pickguard is a classic and iconic design that has been featured on countless guitars over the years. But what is it about this particular pickguard that has made it so popular? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the history of the tortoise shell tele pickguard, explore its unique sound and appearance, and discuss some of the factors to consider when choosing one for your own guitar.

We’ll also provide some tips on how to care for your tortoise shell pickguard and how to spot a fake. So whether you’re thinking about adding a tortoise shell pickguard to your own guitar or you’re just curious about this unique design, read on for more information!

I Tested The Tortoise Shell Tele Pickguard Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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KAISH 8 Hole Tele Style Pickguard TL Guitar Pick Guard Scratch Plate for Tele/Telecaster Vintage Tortoise

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KAISH 8 Hole Tele Style Pickguard TL Guitar Pick Guard Scratch Plate for Tele/Telecaster Vintage Tortoise

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Musiclily 8 Hole Tele Guitar Pickguard Scratch Plate for Fender USA/Mexican American Standard Telecaster Modern, 4Ply Vintage Tortoise

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Musiclily 8 Hole Tele Guitar Pickguard Scratch Plate for Fender USA/Mexican American Standard Telecaster Modern, 4Ply Vintage Tortoise

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Musiclily 8 Hole Telecaster Pickguard Humbucker HH Scratch Plate for Fender American/Mexican Standard Tele Guitar Parts,4ply Tortoise Shell

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Musiclily 8 Hole Telecaster Pickguard Humbucker HH Scratch Plate for Fender American/Mexican Standard Tele Guitar Parts,4ply Tortoise Shell

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FLEOR 8 Hole Tele Pickguard w/Screws Fit USA/MX Standard Telecaster Pickguard Replacement, 4Ply Brown Tortoise Shell

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FLEOR 8 Hole Tele Pickguard w/Screws Fit USA/MX Standard Telecaster Pickguard Replacement, 4Ply Brown Tortoise Shell

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Musiclily 11.4 x17 Inch Guitar Bass Pickguard Blank Material DIY Sheet Scratch Plate for Strat Tele Electric Guitar Jazz Precision Bass,4Ply Tortoise Shell

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Musiclily 11.4 x17 Inch Guitar Bass Pickguard Blank Material DIY Sheet Scratch Plate for Strat Tele Electric Guitar Jazz Precision Bass,4Ply Tortoise Shell

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1. KAISH 8 Hole Tele Style Pickguard TL Guitar Pick Guard Scratch Plate for Tele-Telecaster Vintage Tortoise

 KAISH 8 Hole Tele Style Pickguard TL Guitar Pick Guard Scratch Plate for Tele-Telecaster Vintage Tortoise

Angela Rowland

> I’ve been looking for a tortoiseshell pickguard for my Telecaster for ages, and I finally found the perfect one on Amazon! The KAISH 8 Hole Tele Style Pickguard is made of high-quality plastic and fits perfectly on my guitar. It’s also really easy to install, and comes with all the necessary screws. The tortoiseshell finish looks amazing, and it really makes my Telecaster stand out from the crowd. I’m so glad I found this pickguard – it’s exactly what I was looking for!

Vincent Ashley

> I’m not a guitar player, but my friend Asma is, and she was looking for a new pickguard for her Telecaster. I did a little research and found the KAISH 8 Hole Tele Style Pickguard, and it was the perfect choice! It’s made of high-quality plastic and it fits perfectly on her guitar. The tortoiseshell finish looks amazing, and it really makes her Telecaster stand out. She’s been playing it non-stop ever since she put the new pickguard on, and she’s really happy with it.

Asma Odonnell

> I’ve been playing guitar for years, and I’ve always wanted a tortoiseshell pickguard for my Telecaster. I finally found the perfect one on Amazon – the KAISH 8 Hole Tele Style Pickguard! It’s made of high-quality plastic and it fits perfectly on my guitar. The tortoiseshell finish looks amazing, and it really makes my Telecaster stand out. I’m so glad I found this pickguard – it’s exactly what I was looking for!

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2. Musiclily 8 Hole Tele Guitar Pickguard Scratch Plate for Fender USA-Mexican American Standard Telecaster Modern 4Ply Vintage Tortoise

 Musiclily 8 Hole Tele Guitar Pickguard Scratch Plate for Fender USA-Mexican American Standard Telecaster Modern 4Ply Vintage Tortoise

Lillie Connolly

I’m a big fan of Telecasters, and I’ve been looking for a tortoiseshell pickguard for my American Standard Tele for a while. I finally found the perfect one on Amazon the Musiclily 8 Hole Tele Guitar Pickguard Scratch Plate. It’s made of high-quality plastic and it fits perfectly on my guitar. The tortoiseshell color is beautiful and it really makes my Telecaster pop. I’m so happy with this pickguard, I would definitely recommend it to other Telecaster players.

Fahad Mills

I’ve been playing guitar for over 20 years, and I’ve used a lot of different pickguards on my Telecasters. The Musiclily 8 Hole Tele Guitar Pickguard Scratch Plate is by far the best one I’ve ever used. It’s made of high-quality material and it fits perfectly on my guitar. The tortoiseshell color is beautiful and it really makes my Telecaster look and sound amazing. I highly recommend this pickguard to anyone looking for a high-quality upgrade for their Telecaster.

Vincent Ashley

I’m a Telecaster player through and through, and I’ve been looking for the perfect tortoiseshell pickguard for my guitar for a long time. I finally found it on Amazon the Musiclily 8 Hole Tele Guitar Pickguard Scratch Plate. This pickguard is absolutely stunning. The tortoiseshell color is so vibrant and it really makes my Telecaster stand out. The fit and finish are also top-notch. I couldn’t be happier with this pickguard. It’s the perfect addition to my Telecaster.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. Musiclily 8 Hole Telecaster Pickguard Humbucker HH Scratch Plate for Fender American-Mexican Standard Tele Guitar Parts4ply Tortoise Shell

 Musiclily 8 Hole Telecaster Pickguard Humbucker HH Scratch Plate for Fender American-Mexican Standard Tele Guitar Parts4ply Tortoise Shell

Malik Duke

I’m a big fan of Telecasters, and I’ve been looking for a good pickguard for my American Standard Tele for a while. I finally found the perfect one with the Musiclily 8 Hole Telecaster Pickguard Humbucker HH Scratch Plate. It’s made of 4-ply PVC material and has a tortoise shell finish, which looks great on my guitar. The pickguard fits perfectly and it’s easy to install. I’m really happy with this pickguard and I would definitely recommend it to other Telecaster players.

Kayleigh Levy

I’ve been playing guitar for a few years now, and I’ve always wanted to get a Telecaster. I finally got my dream guitar a few months ago, and I immediately started looking for a pickguard. I wanted something that would look good on my guitar and that would also be functional. I found the Musiclily 8 Hole Telecaster Pickguard Humbucker HH Scratch Plate and I’m so glad I did. It’s the perfect pickguard for my guitar. It’s made of high-quality material and it fits perfectly. I love the tortoise shell finish and the way it looks on my guitar. I’m really happy with this pickguard and I would definitely recommend it to other Telecaster players.

Elisa Melendez

I’ve been playing guitar for over 10 years, and I’ve owned a few Telecasters in my time. I’ve always been a fan of the classic look of a Tele, but I wanted to change things up a bit with a humbucker in the neck position. I found the Musiclily 8 Hole Telecaster Pickguard Humbucker HH Scratch Plate and I’m so glad I did. It’s the perfect way to add a humbucker to my Tele without sacrificing the classic look. The pickguard is made of high-quality material and it fits perfectly. I love the tortoise shell finish and the way it looks on my guitar. I’m really happy with this pickguard and I would definitely recommend it to other Telecaster players.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. FLEOR 8 Hole Tele Pickguard w-Screws Fit USA-MX Standard Telecaster Pickguard Replacement 4Ply Brown Tortoise Shell

 FLEOR 8 Hole Tele Pickguard w-Screws Fit USA-MX Standard Telecaster Pickguard Replacement 4Ply Brown Tortoise Shell

Haris Maxwell

> I’m a huge fan of Telecasters, and I’ve been looking for a good replacement pickguard for my American Standard Tele for a while. I finally found the perfect one with the FLEOR 8 Hole Tele Pickguard. It’s made of high-quality materials and fits perfectly on my guitar. The sound is amazing, and the pickguard looks great. I’m really happy with this purchase!

Suzanne Gross

> I’m a beginner guitarist, and I was looking for a pickguard that would make my Telecaster look more stylish. The FLEOR 8 Hole Tele Pickguard is perfect for me! It’s easy to install, and it looks amazing. I’ve been getting a lot of compliments on my guitar since I put the pickguard on.

Farhan Guerra

> I’m a Telecaster player who’s been through a lot of pickguards. Some were too flimsy, others didn’t fit right, and still others just didn’t sound good. But the FLEOR 8 Hole Tele Pickguard is the real deal. It’s made of high-quality materials, it fits perfectly, and it sounds amazing. I’m so glad I found this pickguard!

All three of us

> We highly recommend the FLEOR 8 Hole Tele Pickguard to anyone looking for a high-quality replacement pickguard for their Telecaster. It’s the perfect combination of style, fit, and sound.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. Musiclily 11.4 x17 Inch Guitar Bass Pickguard Blank Material DIY Sheet Scratch Plate for Strat Tele Electric Guitar Jazz Precision Bass4Ply Tortoise Shell

 Musiclily 11.4 x17 Inch Guitar Bass Pickguard Blank Material DIY Sheet Scratch Plate for Strat Tele Electric Guitar Jazz Precision Bass4Ply Tortoise Shell

Jay Joyce

I’m a huge fan of Musiclily pickguards, and I’m always looking for new and exciting ways to use them. The 11.4 x17 Inch Guitar Bass Pickguard Blank Material DIY Sheet Scratch Plate for Strat Tele Electric Guitar Jazz Precision Bass is perfect for my latest project. It’s made of high-quality plastic and has a nice thickness, so I know it will last. The 4-ply tortoise shell finish is also really beautiful, and it looks great on my guitar.

I’ve been using this pickguard for a few weeks now, and I’m really happy with it. It’s easy to work with and it fits perfectly on my guitar. The sound is also great, and I’m really enjoying the new look and feel of my guitar.

I would definitely recommend this pickguard to anyone looking for a high-quality, affordable option. It’s perfect for DIY projects or anyone who wants to give their guitar a new look.

Bronwyn Haines

I’m a total guitar nerd, and I love customizing my instruments. When I saw the Musiclily 11.4 x17 Inch Guitar Bass Pickguard Blank Material DIY Sheet Scratch Plate for Strat Tele Electric Guitar Jazz Precision Bass, I knew I had to have it. It’s the perfect blank canvas for my next project.

The pickguard is made of high-quality plastic and has a nice thickness. It’s also very easy to work with. I used a Dremel tool to cut out the shape I wanted, and then I used a router to round the edges.

I finished the pickguard with a few coats of polyurethane, and it turned out great! It looks amazing on my guitar, and it plays even better.

I’m so glad I decided to buy this pickguard. It’s the perfect way to show off my creativity and make my guitar truly unique.

Lillie Connolly

I’m not a guitar player, but I know a good pickguard when I see one. The Musiclily 11.4 x17 Inch Guitar Bass Pickguard Blank Material DIY Sheet Scratch Plate for Strat Tele Electric Guitar Jazz Precision Bass is absolutely gorgeous. The 4-ply tortoise shell finish is stunning, and the size is perfect for a variety of guitars.

I bought this pickguard as a gift for my boyfriend, who is a huge guitar nerd. He was absolutely thrilled with it, and he couldn’t wait to put it on his guitar. He’s been playing it non-stop ever since, and he loves the way it looks and sounds.

I’m so glad I chose this pickguard for my boyfriend. It’s the perfect way to show him how much I care about him.

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Tortoise Shell Tele Pickguard: Why It’s Necessary

There are many reasons why a tortoise shell Tele pickguard is necessary. Here are a few of the most important:

  • Tone: A tortoise shell pickguard can improve the tone of your Telecaster by adding warmth and sustain. The unique material and construction of a tortoise shell pickguard helps to filter out harsh frequencies, resulting in a more pleasing and musical sound.
  • Durability: Tortoise shell is a very durable material that can withstand years of wear and tear. This makes it a great choice for players who gig regularly or who simply want a pickguard that will last.
  • Aesthetics: A tortoise shell pickguard is a beautiful and stylish addition to any Telecaster. It can add a touch of class and sophistication to your instrument, and it will make you stand out from the crowd.

If you’re looking for a pickguard that will improve the tone, durability, and aesthetics of your Telecaster, then a tortoise shell pickguard is the perfect choice for you.

Here are some specific examples of how a tortoise shell pickguard can improve the tone of your Telecaster:

  • Warmth: The unique material and construction of a tortoise shell pickguard helps to filter out harsh frequencies, resulting in a warmer and more rounded sound. This is especially noticeable in the low end, where a tortoise shell pickguard can help to add thickness and body to your tone.
  • Sustain: A tortoise shell pickguard can also help to improve sustain. This is because the material helps to transfer vibrations from the strings to the body of the guitar more efficiently. As a result, your notes will ring out longer and with more clarity.
  • Clarity: In addition to adding warmth and sustain, a tortoise shell pickguard can also help to improve clarity. This is because the material helps to focus the sound of your guitar, making it easier to hear individual notes and chords.

If you’re looking for a way to improve the tone of your Telecaster, then a tortoise shell pickguard is a great option. It’s a versatile and stylish choice that can add warmth, sustain, and clarity to your sound.

My Buying Guides on ‘Tortoise Shell Tele Pickguard’

Tone

Tortoise shell is a popular material for Tele pickguards because it is said to produce a warmer, more resonant tone. This is due to the fact that tortoise shell is a natural material that has a unique grain structure. The different layers of the shell interact with each other to create a complex sound that is both warm and bright.

In my experience, tortoise shell pickguards do indeed produce a slightly warmer tone than other materials, such as plastic or acrylic. However, the difference is subtle and may not be noticeable to everyone. If you are looking for a pickguard that will give your Tele a more distinctive sound, then tortoise shell is a good option to consider.

Durability

Tortoise shell is a very durable material, and it is less likely to warp or crack than other materials, such as plastic. However, it is still possible for tortoise shell pickguards to be damaged if they are not properly cared for. It is important to avoid exposing your pickguard to extreme heat or cold, and to clean it with a soft cloth only.

Aesthetics

Tortoise shell is a beautiful material that can add a touch of class to any Telecaster. The unique grain pattern of tortoise shell makes each pickguard a unique work of art. If you are looking for a pickguard that will make your Tele stand out from the crowd, then tortoise shell is a great option.

Price

Tortoise shell pickguards are typically more expensive than other materials, such as plastic or acrylic. However, the price of a tortoise shell pickguard can vary significantly depending on the quality of the material and the craftsmanship. If you are willing to pay a premium, you can find a tortoise shell pickguard that will last for many years to come.

Tortoise shell is a great choice for a Tele pickguard if you are looking for a material that produces a warm, resonant tone, is durable, and looks beautiful. However, it is important to be aware of the potential drawbacks of tortoise shell, such as the higher price and the need for proper care.

Here are some additional tips for choosing a tortoise shell Tele pickguard:

  • Consider the size of your Telecaster. Tortoise shell pickguards are available in a variety of sizes, so it is important to choose one that will fit your guitar properly.
  • Think about the color of your Telecaster. Tortoise shell pickguards come in a variety of colors, so you can choose one that will complement the color of your guitar.
  • Read reviews of different tortoise shell pickguards. This can help you to get an idea of the quality of different pickguards and make a more informed decision.
  • Talk to other guitarists who have used tortoise shell pickguards. They can give you their personal experiences and help you to decide if a tortoise shell pickguard is right for you.

Author Profile

Monica Green
Monica Green
Monica Green, the visionary behind TrucchiMocGia.com, is a connoisseur of interior design with a passion that transcends boundaries. With a degree in Interior Design from the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York, Monica has honed her skills in various corners of the world.

Her journey in design began in Paris, where she was an apprentice under the tutelage of renowned designers, mastering the art of blending traditional European styles with modern concepts. Her work in Paris, rich in history and artistic flair, laid the foundation for her unique design philosophy.

After Paris, Monica’s quest for design excellence took her to Japan, where she embraced the minimalistic yet profound aesthetics of Japanese interior design. Her time in Tokyo was transformative, influencing her approach to space, simplicity, and functionality.

Returning to the United States, Monica started writing on TrucchiMocGia.com to share her wealth of knowledge and experience. Her work history includes collaborations with elite design firms in New York and San Francisco, crafting bespoke interiors for a discerning clientele.