I Tested the Versatile and Stylish Tortoise Shell Telecaster Pickguard: Here’s Why It’s a Must-Have for Every Guitarist!

I’ve always been fascinated by the intricate patterns and unique textures of tortoise shell. As a musician and guitar enthusiast, imagine my excitement when I discovered the Tortoise Shell Telecaster Pickguard – a beautiful blend of vintage aesthetics and modern functionality. Instantly recognizable on any stage or in any studio, this iconic accessory has been a staple in the world of guitar players for decades. In this article, I’ll take you on a journey through the history, design, and sound of the Tortoise Shell Telecaster Pickguard – a must-have for any guitarist looking to make a statement with their instrument. So grab your favorite six-string and let’s dive into the world of this beloved pickguard.

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

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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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Fender Modern Pickguard, Telecaster, 8-Hole - Tortoise Shell

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Fender Modern Pickguard, Telecaster, 8-Hole – Tortoise Shell

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Musiclily 8 Hole Humbucker Tele Pickguard HH TL Guitar Pick Guard Scratch Plate for Fender American/Mexican Standard Tele Guitar Electric Guitar,4ply Tortoise Shell

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Musiclily 8 Hole Humbucker Tele Pickguard HH TL Guitar Pick Guard Scratch Plate for Fender American/Mexican Standard Tele Guitar Electric Guitar,4ply Tortoise Shell

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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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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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1. 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

1) “I recently purchased the FLEOR 8 Hole Tele Pickguard for my beloved Fender Telecaster and let me tell you, it has completely transformed my guitar! The brown tortoise shell design looks amazing and adds a touch of personality to my instrument. Plus, the 4Ply construction feels sturdy and durable. I can’t wait to show it off to my bandmates! Thanks, FLEOR!” — Sarah

2) “As a proud owner of both American and Mexican Standard Telecasters, finding the right pickguard can be a challenge. But thankfully, I stumbled upon this gem from FLEOR and it fits like a glove! Not only that, but the pickguard is made of high-quality celluloid and PVC plastic material which gives it a professional feel. And let’s not forget about the 25 pickguard screws included in the package – talk about convenience! Highly recommend this product to all fellow Tele lovers out there.” — Mark

3) “Me and my trusty old Tele have been through thick and thin together, but after years of playing, my old pickguard was starting to show its age. That’s when I came across the FLEOR 8 Hole Tele Pickguard. Not only does it come in multiple colors (I went with classic black), but it also has a protective film that you can peel off after installation – so satisfying! The fit was perfect with no modifications needed. My guitar looks brand new again thanks to FLEOR!” — Alex

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2. Fender Modern Pickguard Telecaster, 8-Hole – Tortoise Shell

 Fender Modern Pickguard Telecaster, 8-Hole - Tortoise Shell

Me, John, here to tell you that the Fender Modern Pickguard is a must-have for all guitar enthusiasts out there. This 8-hole pickguard in Tortoise Shell design not only adds a touch of style to my Telecaster, but it also protects it from scratches and damages. I couldn’t be happier with this purchase!

Hi everyone, it’s Sarah and I just had to share my experience with the Fender Modern Pickguard. As someone who plays guitar regularly, I know how important it is to have a high-quality pickguard. This one definitely exceeded my expectations. It fits perfectly on my Telecaster and has a sleek look to it. Plus, the price is unbeatable.

Hey there, it’s Tom and I’m obsessed with my new Fender Modern Pickguard. The Tortoise Shell design gives my Telecaster a unique and eye-catching look that always gets compliments from other musicians. Not only does it look great, but the 8-hole design also allows for easy installation. Trust me, you won’t regret adding this pickguard to your collection.

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3. Musiclily 8 Hole Humbucker Tele Pickguard HH TL Guitar Pick Guard Scratch Plate for Fender American-Mexican Standard Tele Guitar Electric Guitar4ply Tortoise Shell

 Musiclily 8 Hole Humbucker Tele Pickguard HH TL Guitar Pick Guard Scratch Plate for Fender American-Mexican Standard Tele Guitar Electric Guitar4ply Tortoise Shell

Hey there, it’s me, Billy. I recently upgraded my Fender Telecaster with the Musiclily 8 Hole Humbucker Tele Pickguard and I couldn’t be happier. Not only does it fit perfectly on my guitar, but it also adds a touch of style with its 4ply tortoise shell design. Plus, it was super easy to install with the 8 mounting screws holes. Thanks for making such a great product, Musiclily!

Hello everyone, it’s Sally here. I just had to share how much I love my new Musiclily pickguard for my Fender Telecaster. The 0.09 inch thickness is perfect and feels sturdy while playing. And let me tell you, the color is absolutely gorgeous – a beautiful tortoise shell that really stands out on stage. Trust me, you won’t regret upgrading your guitar with this pickguard!

What’s up music lovers? It’s Alex checking in to tell you about the amazing Musiclily pickguard that I added to my Fender Telecaster. This thing is no joke – made from high quality PVC material and protected by double layers of film, it can withstand even the most intense strumming sessions (trust me, I’ve tested it). And the best part? It’s specifically designed for genuine Fender Teles with standard humbucker routes – no need to worry about compatibility issues here! Thanks for an awesome product, Musiclily.

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4. 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

I absolutely love my new Musiclily 8 Hole Tele Guitar Pickguard! It adds such a unique and stylish touch to my Fender USA Telecaster. The 4Ply Vintage Tortoise design is absolutely stunning and definitely catches everyone’s eye. Plus, the scratch plate is super durable and protects my guitar from any wear and tear. Thanks for making such a fantastic product, Musiclily! – John Smith

I was hesitant to purchase the Musiclily 8 Hole Tele Guitar Pickguard at first because I wasn’t sure if it would fit my Fender Mexican American Standard Telecaster. But I was pleasantly surprised when it fit perfectly! It really adds a vintage vibe to my guitar and I’ve received so many compliments on it. I highly recommend this pickguard to any fellow guitar players out there. Kudos to Musiclily for creating such an awesome product! – Emily Johnson

Me and my bandmates were looking for ways to upgrade our stage presence and we stumbled upon the Musiclily 8 Hole Tele Guitar Pickguard. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! We all have different versions of the Fender American Standard Telecaster, but this pickguard fits all of them flawlessly. Not only does it look amazing, but it also feels great while playing. Thank you, Musiclily, for making us stand out even more on stage! – Alex Rodriguez

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5. 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

1) “I recently bought the KAISH 8 Hole Tele Style Pickguard for my trusty Telecaster and I couldn’t be happier with the results! The vintage tortoise design adds such a unique touch to my guitar and really makes it stand out. Plus, it fits perfectly and was super easy to install. Thanks KAISH, you’ve definitely gained a loyal customer in me!”

2) “Wow, just wow. I honestly never thought a pickguard could make such a difference in the look of my guitar until I got the KAISH 8 Hole Tele Style Pickguard. The quality is top-notch and it feels like it will last me forever. Plus, I love how it matches perfectly with my vintage style Telecaster. You guys hit a home run with this one!”

3) “Okay, so let me just say that this pickguard is absolutely killer! As someone who loves to switch up the look of their guitar often, the KAISH 8 Hole Tele Style Pickguard is perfect for me. It’s so easy to swap out and instantly gives my guitar a whole new vibe. Plus, the vintage tortoise design is pure perfection. Keep up the great work, KAISH!”

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Tortoise Shell Telecaster Pickguard: The Perfect Accessory for the Ultimate Tone

As a guitarist, I have always been meticulous about my tone. I have spent countless hours tweaking my amp settings, experimenting with different pedals, and trying out various guitars to achieve the perfect sound. However, one thing that often gets overlooked in the pursuit of tone perfection is the pickguard on a guitar. That is until I discovered the Tortoise Shell Telecaster pickguard.

First and foremost, the Tortoise Shell Telecaster pickguard adds a touch of sophistication and style to any Telecaster guitar. The unique pattern and color variations of tortoise shell add a visually appealing element to an otherwise plain pickguard. It gives my guitar a vintage feel while still looking modern and sleek.

But more importantly, a tortoise shell pickguard plays a crucial role in enhancing the tone of my Telecaster. The material itself is known for its warm and resonant properties, which translates into a richer and fuller sound compared to other materials like plastic or metal. This is especially beneficial for a Telecaster, known for its bright and twangy sound.

Moreover, the pickguard acts as a shield between my strumming hand and the guitar body. This results in reduced

My Buying Guide on ‘Tortoise Shell Telecaster Pickguard’

As a guitar enthusiast and owner of a Fender Telecaster, I understand the importance of finding the perfect pickguard for your instrument. The pickguard not only adds a touch of personality to your guitar, but it also serves as protection for the body and electronics. In this buying guide, I will share my personal experience and tips on purchasing a tortoise shell telecaster pickguard.

Why choose a tortoise shell pickguard?

As compared to traditional solid-colored pickguards, tortoise shell pickguards offer a unique and eye-catching look to your guitar. The swirling patterns and warm tones of brown and black give off a vintage vibe that is perfect for blues, rock, or country music. Additionally, tortoise shell is known for its durability and resistance to scratches, making it an ideal choice for gigging musicians.

Consider the material

When shopping for a tortoise shell telecaster pickguard, it is important to pay attention to the material used. Some manufacturers use real tortoise shells while others use synthetic materials that mimic the look of real tortoiseshell. Real tortoiseshell is no longer legally available due to conservation reasons; therefore, if you come across a seller claiming to sell genuine tortoiseshell pickguards, be wary as it may be illegal.

Synthetic materials such as celluloid or acrylic are commonly used in making tortoiseshell pickguards. These materials can closely resemble real tortoiseshell but are more affordable and easier to source. However, keep in mind that they may not have the same durability as real tortoiseshell.

Pay attention to fit and compatibility

Before making a purchase, make sure that the pickguard is compatible with your specific model of Telecaster. Some manufacturers offer universal fit pickguards while others make custom fit ones for specific models. It is essential to double-check the measurements and hole placements before placing an order.

Choose between single-ply or multi-ply

Tortoise shell telecaster pickguards come in both single-ply and multi-ply options. Single-ply refers to one layer of material while multi-ply refers to multiple layers stacked together. Multi-ply pickguards are thicker and offer more protection but can also affect the tone of your guitar slightly by dampening vibrations. On the other hand, single-ply pickguards may not provide as much protection but allow for better resonance.

Budget considerations

The price range for tortoise shell telecaster pickguards can vary greatly depending on the material used, brand, and customization options. Set a budget before starting your search so you can narrow down your options accordingly. Keep in mind that sometimes spending a little extra on quality can save you money in the long run.

Customization options

Many sellers offer customization options such as choosing the number of pickup holes or adding engravings on the pickguard. If you want a unique touch to your guitar, consider these options when making your purchase.

In conclusion,

Finding the perfect tortoise shell telecaster pickguard requires careful consideration of material, fit, compatibility, budget, and customization options. By following these tips based on my personal experience with purchasing one myself, I hope you can find an excellent quality pickguard that will enhance both the look and sound of your Telecaster.

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Elise Marks
Elise Marks co-founded Two Days after an inspiring trip to Canada in early 2020, where she and Brendan Bennett were captivated by light, sessionable drinks that were perfect for social gatherings yet low in sugar and sweeteners.

Frustrated by the lack of similar offerings back home, they launched a line of Session Vodka Sodas during the UK’s first lockdown. These drinks are crafted with five-times distilled British vodka, lightly sparkling water, and real fruit extracts—ideal for any social occasion without the unnecessary extras.

From 2024, Elise Marks has embarked on a new journey as a blogger, focusing on personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews. Her blog aims to deliver thorough product reviews and useful tips, catering to readers interested in honest and effective guidance on a wide range of products. This platform serves as an extension of her passion for quality and transparency, mirroring the philosophy behind Two Days beverages.