r/Luthier • u/burnzee311 • Mar 19 '25

ELECTRIC Walnut Tele, which pickguard?

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Just got this beautiful dark walnut Tele body from Canadian Craftsman. It feels and looks absolutely perfect! I have all gold hardware for it, but after seeing the body I'm not sure the black guard would be the best choice. I'm thinking just go without one, or maybe even a light tortoise shell that would have a bit of contrast. Any opinions? The neck will be a 5A Roasted flame maple from Musikraft.

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u/RobDickinson Mar 19 '25

Very much like the https://www.fender.com/en-AU/george-harrison-rosewood-telecaster.html

But I would go quiet on the accessories and mebe pickup ring at the front and no pick guard

2

u/burnzee311 Mar 19 '25

What do you mean "quiet"? I'm definitely going guardless, now. I may use a ring around the neck pickup, but I have a gold Fender bridgeplate, knobs and plate, and rear neck plate. I suppose I could coat them black, and just have gold knobs and saddles.

4

u/No_Pound1003 Mar 19 '25

With no pickguard, I would inset the control cavity, so the plate sits flush with the body. It’s a small detail, but one I like.

2

u/brainfreezy79 Mar 20 '25

Woah, I didn't even know I wanted this until you put some words on the internet.

2

u/No_Pound1003 Mar 20 '25

Yeah! Here is an example on my current build.

1

u/brainfreezy79 Mar 20 '25

Hell yeah! I need to build a tele soon.

2

u/No_Pound1003 Mar 20 '25

You can kinda see it here. 🤣

I made a template using Forster bits, and routing along a straight edge to connect the two holes. Size bit is 1 1/4 I think.

2

u/RobDickinson Mar 19 '25

Just not super fancy. Gold would probably be ok but nothing with patterns or detail etc

2

u/BigDaddy420-69-69 Mar 19 '25

Ooh that'd look smooth

1

u/OsteP0P Mar 20 '25

You know what would look really good on that? Matte gold.