New Avantguard pickguard day

dmk

dmk

Supporting Member
Jan 8, 2005
421
744
5,126
San Diego, CA
#1
Just received this pickguard from Avantguard. avantguardshop.com Although I’ve never seen a real vintage Fender tortoishell guard from the 60’s, I can only think this is what they looked like. What’s not visible in the picture is the 3D quality and the soft blending of colors. I’ve had a Spitfire guard, and although they are worlds apart from today’s Fender guard, their colors are too sharply demarcated from each other and lack 3D.

I‘m not sure of the wait time to have a new custom guard made. I was fortunate to grab this ready-made one as soon as it appeared on the website. If you’re interested, and in a hurry, keep checking the website for ones that might pop up for sale.

Avantguard Jazz guards are designed to fit the 11-hole American Fender vintage series such as the American Vintage ’62 (AVRI), the American Original 60’s Jazz Bass, the American Vintage ’64 Jazz bass, and the current American Vintage II ’66 Jazz.

IMG_6291.jpeg
 
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#3
Thanks. It was listed at 230 euros + 20 euros shippping. I paid a total of 265.48 with the euro/dollar conversion. When I bought a similar Spitfire pickguard early this year, it was $337.14 ($295 + shipping + tax).

Here's a picture of the Spitfire. It's not bad, but it doesn't look very vintage to me. The edges of the colors are too sharp. The Avantguard has softer transitions.
IMG_5639.jpeg
 
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#4
dmk said:
Thanks. It was listed at 230 euros + 20 euros shippping. I paid a total of 265.48 with the euro/dollar conversion. When I bought a similar Spitfire pickguard early this year, it was $337.14 ($295 + shipping + tax).

Here's a picture of the Spitfire. It's not bad, but it doesn't look very vintage to me. The edges of the colors are too sharp. The Avantguard has softer transitions.
View attachment 5223077
Click to expand...

From your both pickguard shown, i prefer the split fire on your sunburst J body . That vintage tort pickguard need more yellowish 2 tone sunburst J body along with strong red gradation before the edge black colour which nail to correct period 60s Sunburst J body.

original 1962 Sunburst jazz bass.jpg
 
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#10
Obese Chess said:
They are gorgeous, but I am curious what about the Spitfire and Avantguard pickguards commands such a premium - some sort of exotic materials, perhaps?
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I'm going to guess it's a very labor intensive process to make one of these custom guards. I know Avantguard is a one-man operation. Maybe, you can liken it to buying a piece of art. And, they're using real celluloid, which is extremely flammable. Interestingly, Fender tortoiseshell picks are still made of this flammable celluloid. Take one and put a match to it, but hold it with something other than your fingers.
 
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#12
dmk said:
I'm going to guess it's a very labor intensive process to make one of these custom guards. I know Avantguard is a one-man operation. Maybe, you can liken it to buying a piece of art. And, they're using real celluloid, which is extremely flammable. Interestingly, Fender tortoiseshell picks are still made of this flammable celluloid. Take one and put a match to it, but hold it with something other than your fingers.
Click to expand...

Interesting. Certainly explains some of the cost of them.

And I vividly remember discovering how well picks would burn back in my young years. I prefer modern water-based picks that don't get slippery when you sweat.... but they are not nearly as fun with open flames. :eek:
 
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#15
I ordered a J pickguard from Avantguard in may, Francoise told me it would be ready in early september but he does not answer to my emails anymore. Not the best customer care at all. I hope to get my pickguard as I've alredy paid.
 
#17
dmk said:
....Although I’ve never seen a real vintage Fender tortoiseshell guard from the 60’s, I can only think this is what they looked like. ...
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Many old Fender tort guards have a washed-out, orange-y look because the celluloid was bleached by years of exposure to sunlight (UV). That is, they were darker shades to begin with.
 
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#18
dmk said:
Here's a picture of the Spitfire. It's not bad, but it doesn't look very vintage to me. The edges of the colors are too sharp. The Avantguard has softer transitions.
Click to expand...

dmk said:
View attachment 5223077
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I don't find that to be the case with Spitfire guards if you choose the "subtle '60's" option. I've had three or four guards made by them with that spec. Here's one:

62 P sm.jpg
 
#19
marcinkus said:
I ordered a J pickguard from Avantguard in may, Francoise told me it would be ready in early september but he does not answer to my emails anymore. Not the best customer care at all. I hope to get my pickguard as I've alredy paid.
Click to expand...

schaechtele said:
Same here, I ordered a P picguard in April and he's also not responding to my mails anymore.
Click to expand...
Any feedback from Francois?
 
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