Is this JM Tort Pickguard Original?

Discussion of vintage Jazzmasters, Jaguars, Bass VIs, Electric XIIs and any other offset-waist instruments.
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sangtlee
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Is this JM Tort Pickguard Original?

Post by sangtlee » Wed Mar 31, 2021 6:00 am

Hey guys -- Do you think this pickguard is original? Seller says 1971 in the listing specs.

https://reverb.com/item/36443953-fender ... ge-nitrate

Looks too clean to me...and the screw holes are deeply beveled, did Fender start doing that in the late 60's or 70? I've only seen screw holes like that on reissues. The holes on the '62, '64 and '65 pickguards that I have are distinctively less beveled.

TIA

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Re: Is this JM Tort Pickguard Original?

Post by Unicorn Warrior » Wed Mar 31, 2021 6:55 am

The tort pattern itself looks of that era. But as far as the details of everything else I’m unsure. Either way...that isn’t worth what they’re asking. 70s era tort was the worst IMO

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Re: Is this JM Tort Pickguard Original?

Post by sangtlee » Wed Mar 31, 2021 7:03 am

Unicorn Warrior wrote:
Wed Mar 31, 2021 6:55 am
The tort pattern itself looks of that era. But as far as the details of everything else I’m unsure. Either way...that isn’t worth what they’re asking. 70s era tort was the worst IMO
Why do you think '70s tort was the worst? Any thoughts on the screw hole bevels? Have you seen legit 70s pickguards with similar screw hole bevels? (I've never seen one myself -- thus the original post). Thanks for you feedback either way!

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Re: Is this JM Tort Pickguard Original?

Post by PorkyPrimeCut » Wed Mar 31, 2021 7:09 am

Man, surely this is way over the going rate for CBS-era nitrocellulose guards?
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Re: Is this JM Tort Pickguard Original?

Post by sangtlee » Wed Mar 31, 2021 9:45 am

PorkyPrimeCut wrote:
Wed Mar 31, 2021 7:09 am
Man, surely this is way over the going rate for CBS-era nitrocellulose guards?
Agree -- but I feel that many things listed on reverb.com are open to price negotiation...even if not stated.

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Re: Is this JM Tort Pickguard Original?

Post by Francer » Wed Mar 31, 2021 10:36 am

Didn’t they switch to plastic guards sometime in mid 60s?

Either way, even if this is genuine, it looks just like WD tort, I’d truly love a genuine vintage tort, but not this one for that price.

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Re: Is this JM Tort Pickguard Original?

Post by Unicorn Warrior » Wed Mar 31, 2021 12:13 pm

sangtlee wrote:
Wed Mar 31, 2021 7:03 am
Unicorn Warrior wrote:
Wed Mar 31, 2021 6:55 am
The tort pattern itself looks of that era. But as far as the details of everything else I’m unsure. Either way...that isn’t worth what they’re asking. 70s era tort was the worst IMO
Why do you think '70s tort was the worst? Any thoughts on the screw hole bevels? Have you seen legit 70s pickguards with similar screw hole bevels? (I've never seen one myself -- thus the original post). Thanks for you feedback either way!
70s guards have no flavor or pop. Typically very bland like the demonstration you posted. You might as well get WD for that. I’d take that guard for $150..maybe 200 but not because it looks good, but because I was maybe hypothetically restoring a 70s JM. Other than that I’d leave it alone.

That’s even if it’s real. Again, I’m not expert there. I think it is. But the pattern is too boring when I know you can get a beautiful earlier tort for cheaper.

Get yourself pre-68 tort guard or go with spitfire of lavaguard. Don’t waste that much money or anything close to it on a bland 70s guard.

Here’s a much better vintage tort, small crack but perhaps you could get it way cheaper than he’s askin. Still a stupid asking price:

https://reverb.com/item/31911537-vintag ... t=31911537


I’d pay no more than $300 for vintage tort and that’s stretching it. But some people have stimmys to blow so why not?

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Re: Is this JM Tort Pickguard Original?

Post by Sweetfinger » Thu Apr 01, 2021 5:55 am

In the early 90s, 600 bucks got you the whole Jazzmaster!

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Re: Is this JM Tort Pickguard Original?

Post by blacktiger » Sat Apr 03, 2021 12:11 pm

Looks like “meatball” tort of the late ‘60s/early ‘70s. I think it’s fairly distinct from WD tort, which tends to be more “stringy.” That said, it doesn’t really have any of the aspects of tort that I like, so there’s no way I’d pay anywhere near that, legit or not.
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Re: Is this JM Tort Pickguard Original?

Post by Synthsinthesky » Sun Feb 27, 2022 8:38 pm

I think it’s legit. Yet here we are nearing a year later and the listing is still up.

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Re: Is this JM Tort Pickguard Original?

Post by Mechanical Birds » Sat Mar 05, 2022 1:18 am

Looks legit but that price is a fucking joke and I hope the seller accidentally drops it into a volcano

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Re: Is this JM Tort Pickguard Original?

Post by sangtlee » Sat Mar 05, 2022 7:01 am

Mechanical Birds wrote:
Sat Mar 05, 2022 1:18 am
Looks legit but that price is a fucking joke and I hope the seller accidentally drops it into a volcano
HA -- yeah, I've contacted the seller several times and made reasonable offers...but no response. Crickets. That was about a year ago...I've moved on and have a nice Spitfire guard in hand now.

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