Best source for antique-stye Gibson tortoise shell

[ItsaBass]

Hi,

I'm looking to make a tortoise shell guard for a friend's LP Special double cutaway. He wants a material that looks like the old tortoise guards the Gibson used on those guitars. I personally think that this is unattractive, but it's for a friend, so I want to make sure I get the right stuff. If I recall, it's single ply, and you can see little bits of the paint job through the pickguard. Any leads on a good material that I can buy as a blank?

Thanks.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: Best source for antique-stye Gibson tortoise shell

I needed some tortoise shell celluloid binding to repair a guitar a while back. I found a good source on ebay...the stuff comes straight from China. I believe they had sheets of the same stuff for pick guards.

The name of the seller is friendstore1682010. Shipping was quick and free. Product was of good quality.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Best source for antique-stye Gibson tortoise shell

Try these guys:

http://www.lmii.com/products/mostly-not-wood/pickguard-material/pickguard-sheets

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: Best source for antique-stye Gibson tortoise shell

Dude, don't suppose I could get you to make me one too? I've got a 2008 double cut Jr in yellow. It came with a black pg but I'd prefer the vintage correct look. I can't find any place that sells a correct fit or material for this guitar.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Best source for antique-stye Gibson tortoise shell

Thanks for the link. I had already checked LMI, though, and they don't stock the stuff.

I did find a source for it, however, they insist on adding a $27.50 shipping surcharge to the order. They claim that it's in order to cover the cost of government-imposed haz-mat shipping regulations. But it may be my only choice here.

PTM, I'll send you a PM.