Where has all the decent tortoiseshell gone?

[Geek99]

I may have missed the cost ? Interested in red tort for a p bass

[bh2]

Your tort is super close to the real vintage... here's a shot of my 62 tort...

[Spitfire7]

Hey guys, I encourage you to check out my site and and let me know what you think. The Jazz bass and PBass are in the prototype stage, but please still feel free to cruise around. http://spitfiretortoiseshellpickguards.wordpress.com/

Even though I have the Pbass and Jbass in the list of options on my site, they aren't ready yet. Still feel free to get yourself on the list and fill out the form though. I will be in touch with you through email from that point on. Im getter very close. I am making 3 prototype Jazz basses and they 1 prototype PBass to make sure it fits and works. I hope to hear from you guys on the other side.

Edited April 23, 2014 by Spitfire7

[Spitfire7]

Look what I just made.

[URL=http://s884.photobucket.com/user/Spitfire57/media/IMAG4380_zpse8bf104c.jpg.html][IMG]http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/Spitfire57/IMAG4380_zpse8bf104c.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://s884.photobucket.com/user/Spitfire57/media/IMAG4386_zpsb364c203.jpg.html][IMG]http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/Spitfire57/IMAG4386_zpsb364c203.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[Geek99]

Nice - what sort of price are we talking ? Just curious

[bh2]

OMG Ramesh!... can I has top one?

[Spitfire7]

I cant talk price in here, but you can PM me all who are interested in that.

I also just did another one. These are for a guy who helped me get the bass line started. He's very happy.

[URL=http://s884.photobucket.com/user/Spitfire57/media/IMAG4400_zpsd1bade21.jpg.html][IMG]http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/Spitfire57/IMAG4400_zpsd1bade21.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://s884.photobucket.com/user/Spitfire57/media/IMAG4406_zps3638425c.jpg.html][IMG]http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/Spitfire57/IMAG4406_zps3638425c.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://s884.photobucket.com/user/Spitfire57/media/IMAG4410_zpsf2c6ae70.jpg.html][IMG]http://i884.photobucket.com/albums/ac50/Spitfire57/IMAG4410_zpsf2c6ae70.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[Noisyjon]

Hi Spitfire7,

Any P bass guards done that we can see please - Also what's happened to your pictures here?

Cheers,
Jon

[Spitfire7]

[quote name='Noisyjon' timestamp='1400862933' post='2457724']
Hi Spitfire7,

Any P bass guards done that we can see please - Also what's happened to your pictures here?

Cheers,
Jon
[/quote]

You ask and you shall receive. These are both relic versions.

[url="http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/Spitfire575/media/IMAG4606_zpsfd4220e5.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/Spitfire575/media/IMAG4604_zps86df4ccd.jpg.html"][/url]
<a href="http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/Spitfire575/media/IMAG4600_zps180d6fb6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r619/Spitfire575/IMAG4600_zps180d6fb6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMAG4600_zps180d6fb6.jpg"/></a>
[url="http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/Spitfire575/media/IMAG4595_zps280281f2.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/Spitfire575/media/IMAG4594_zps5695d1eb.jpg.html"][URL=http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/Spitfire575/media/IMAG4607_zpsfbed68c3.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r619/Spitfire575/IMAG4607_zpsfbed68c3.jpg[/IMG][/URL][URL=http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/Spitfire575/media/IMAG4600_zps180d6fb6.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r619/Spitfire575/IMAG4600_zps180d6fb6.jpg[/IMG][/URL][/url]

Edited May 24, 2014 by Spitfire7

[bh2]

Best tort I have seen.

[Noisyjon]

The P one looks pretty bent/warped in the 2nd to last photo, will that screw down flat?

[Spitfire7]

[quote name='Noisyjon' timestamp='1401125149' post='2460328']
The P one looks pretty bent/warped in the 2nd to last photo, will that screw down flat?
[/quote]
Yes its very flexible and with only a light force of my pinky pressing down, it goes flat. This is only on the heavy relic option. New guards will be flat.

Im trying to make them the most authentic as possible and the majority of vintage old guards that get a lot of use and abuse tend to be very warped. This is an added feature I wanted to replicate on the heavy relic guards. This tends to scare people so far. What do you guys think? Should I keep this feature on the heavy relics or not?

Its kind of funny to me that someone would want a very warn heavy relic guard trashed, scratched, faded, messed up, but when the see any bit of the warp, there is negative feedback in general. Doesn't it also look weird to have a very used and abused relic guard, perfectly flat, straight, like a brand new guard?

You see thats my idea to make my relic guards almost indistinguishable from one from the early 60's.

Edited May 26, 2014 by Spitfire7

[Bassman Steve]

For myself, as the owner of a 60's Precision with a scratchplate that has started to crack I just want a good replacement. Doesn't building in a warp put stress on the plate and therefore make it more likely to crack?

I think many would see the warping and think that it won't last too long. I know that's my reaction. As for used and abused. I think the problem with a new guard is the fact that it is untarnished, not the fact it's straight.

[Noisyjon]

[quote name='Spitfire7' timestamp='1401133204' post='2460466']
...Should I keep this feature on the heavy relics or not?[/quote]

My thinking is more along the lines of - If it's a process you have to perform to add the trad looking warpage then why not offer it as an option for customers wanting the relic treatment, even doing something like limiting it to only the Heavy Relic option to keep orders/things simpler?

[Spitfire7]

Great points guys. Bassman Steve, after hearing your point I have thought about just not doing it, but then thought it over and by your comment Noisyjon think maybe making it an option would be cool. I currently already have it limited to ONLY the heavy relic option, but understand that it could go unread. I am going to try it this way for now and see how it goes. I am super close to finalizing the AVRI Jazz bass guards. Precision bass guards I am still looking for someone close to do some test fits. Sorry for the delay. I am also meeting the demands of the Jazzmaster, Jaguar, strat, etc. etc. world out there. Always feel free to keep checking in for updates http://spitfiretortoiseshellpickguards.wordpress.com/pictures-and-styles/

[Spitfire7]

Hey guys, I have some more updates. Here is my first American Standard Jazz bass with a 100% satisfaction and perfect fit.

[url="http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/Spitfire575/media/Spitfiretortoiseshell10_zps484591b9.jpg.html"][/url]
[url="http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/Spitfire575/media/Spitfiretortoiseshell5_zpsbaebd1f2.jpg.html"][/url][url="http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/Spitfire575/media/Spitfiretortoiseshell6_zps9c06f68d.jpg.html"][/url][url="http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/Spitfire575/media/Spitfiretortoiseshell7_zps4f82fe2c.jpg.html"][/url][url="http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/Spitfire575/media/Spitfiretortoiseshell8_zpscfc931b7.jpg.html"][/url]

Just a few more styles

[url="http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/Spitfire575/media/Spitfiretortoiseshell2_zps76094df7.jpg.html"][/url][url="http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/Spitfire575/media/Spitfiretortoiseshell1_zpsd3e92b33.jpg.html"][/url]

Edited May 27, 2014 by Spitfire7

[bh2]

Very tasty!

[Noisyjon]

Good stuff Spitfire!
Can't wait to see the P bass 10 hole guards

[notable9]

Struth your tort is dead on.
If you want absolute perfection the black filling ought to be quite thin and not as thick...still nevertheless these are the best torties currently on the planet in my view..bravo.

[Spitfire7]

[quote name='notable9' timestamp='1401470546' post='2464007']
Struth your tort is dead on.
If you want absolute perfection the black filling ought to be quite thin and not as thick...still nevertheless these are the best torties currently on the planet in my view..bravo.
[/quote]

You are correct. I have been in search of a company that could make the 3-ply material with the thinner black line, but it seems to be non existent. I tried making some myself and got really close, except it was to flimsy. This has been an ongoing process to find that thin black line material for over a year now. Do you guys know of anyone? And believe me I have checked all the common guitar material supplies companies extremely thoroughly. There is a lot of history behind the thicker black line and after the 70's every company changed. I wont get into details now, but its kind of a cool story why the thin black line became obsolete.

[Spitfire7]

Hey guys, I just wanted to let you know that the Jazz bass guards are a 100% GO. I made a few test guards with success. A few of you contacted me, so please contact me again and you can even contact me through here http://spitfiretortoiseshellpickguards.wordpress.com/contact/


Please feel free to read what other customers are saying about their Spitfire pickguards on my testimonial page.
http://spitfiretortoiseshellpickguards.wordpress.com/testimonials/


I am eager to begin working on your guard.

Edited June 4, 2014 by Spitfire7

[miles'tone]

[quote name='Meddle' timestamp='1401488966' post='2464276']
I heard, though it may be apocryphal, that the original tort material is fairly unstable to work with. I imagine that the swirly patterns are caused by the plastics not mixing too well together. Part of the story states that the American manufacturers no longer want to handle this unstable, otherwise obsolete, plastic. However apparently one source in Italy still remains.


The cheapest tort appears to be printed, some at frighteningly low resolution. Some appears to be printed in tiles, with straight lines appearing in the pattern. Not good!
[/quote]

The original tort was made of celluloid which, if stored in larger quantities, can be extremely combustible.

[Spitfire7]

As far as the PBass guards, I am just waiting on the response of my tester. He should be receiving his guard this Monday June 9th. So you guys can get your orders in and get in line if you want.

[dannybuoy]

What type of tort do peeps think would go better with a transparent sunset orange Precision (which is quite dark and almost red/brown btw)?

Very interested in the unusual faded orange tort that Spitfire7 does:



Lot of coin for a pickguard though...

Edited June 11, 2014 by dannybuoy

[Spitfire7]

I see your point and I understand and I love helping people out. With my tortoiseshell business, its not just a pickguard. You can get the exact style and color you have always been dreaming of and made precisely to your specifications? When I am working on your guard, I am not just a business, I become your friend. I work closely with you to make it everything you could have ever imagined. Just ask anyone of my customers. Its a one of a kind custom made custom designed piece of art that you can find no other place in the world exactly like you want it. You can find an older used vintage guard which is awesome and great, but you're still going to have to pay even more than what I'm charging. Vintage guards although amazing and gorgeous and my absolute inspiration for even starting my business, still go for $300 and up and you have to take what you can find. Just my two cents looking at it from a different perspective. Its what I do, so of course I'm a little bias lol. I know you mean no disrespect and I also appreciate your complements.

Edited June 12, 2014 by Spitfire7