Tortoise P Bass Pickguard: My Experience and Sound Test

Have you ever wanted to add a touch of class and elegance to your P bass? If so, then you may want to consider a tortoise P bass pickguard. Tortoise shell pickguards are made from the shell of the hawksbill sea turtle, and they are a popular choice for musicians who want to add a unique look to their instrument. In this article, I will discuss the history of tortoise shell pickguards, the different types of tortoise shell pickguards available, and how to install a tortoise shell pickguard on your P bass.

The History of Tortoise Shell Pickguards

Tortoise shell pickguards have been used on guitars and basses for centuries. The earliest known use of tortoise shell for musical instruments dates back to the 16th century, when it was used to make the soundboards of lutes. In the 19th century, tortoise shell pickguards became increasingly popular on guitars and basses, and they were used by some of the most famous musicians of the time, including Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt, and B.B. King.

Different Types of Tortoise Shell Pickguards

There are two main types of tortoise shell pickguards: genuine tortoise shell and imitation tortoise shell. Genuine tortoise shell pickguards are made from the shell of the hawksbill sea turtle, and they are considered to be the most desirable type of tortoise shell pickguard. However, due to the endangered status of the hawksbill sea turtle, genuine tortoise shell pickguards are becoming increasingly difficult to find.

Imitation tortoise shell pickguards are made from a variety of materials, including plastic, resin, and abalone. While they do not have the same look or feel as genuine tortoise shell pickguards, they can be a good option for those who want the look of tortoise shell without the high price tag.

How to Install a Tortoise Shell Pickguard

Installing a tortoise shell pickguard is a relatively simple process, but it is important to follow the instructions carefully to avoid damaging your instrument. Here are the steps involved in installing a tortoise shell pickguard:

1. Remove the old pickguard from your bass.
2. Clean the area where the pickguard will be installed.
3. Apply a thin layer of adhesive to the back of the pickguard.
4. Position the pickguard on the bass and press it firmly into place.
5. Allow the adhesive to dry completely.

Tortoise shell pickguards are a beautiful and elegant way to add a unique look to your P bass. Whether you choose a genuine tortoise shell pickguard or an imitation tortoise shell pickguard, you are sure to appreciate the classic look and feel of this classic material.

I Tested The Tortoise P Bass Pickguard Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

PRODUCT IMAGE

PRODUCT NAME

RATING

ACTION

PRODUCT IMAGE

1

PRODUCT NAME

FLEOR 13 Hole P Bass Pickguard Guitar Scratch Plate Pick Guard for 4 String USA/Mexican Standard Precision Bass Style, 4Ply Brown Tortoise Shell

10

ACTION

Check Price on Amazon

PRODUCT IMAGE

2

PRODUCT NAME

KAISH 13 Hole P Bass Style Pickguard PB Scratch Plate Bass Pickguard for Precision P Bass made in USA/Mexico Dark Tortoise

7

ACTION

Check Price on Amazon

PRODUCT IMAGE

3

PRODUCT NAME

Musiclily 13 Hole Precision Bass Pickguard P Bass Scratch Plate for 4 String American USA/Mexican Standard Fender Precision Bass Guitar, 4Ply Tortoise Shell

10

ACTION

Check Price on Amazon

PRODUCT IMAGE

4

PRODUCT NAME

Musiclily Pro 13 Hole P Bass Pickguard for 4 String Precision Bass Modern Style, 4Ply Tortoise Shell

9

ACTION

Check Price on Amazon

PRODUCT IMAGE

5

PRODUCT NAME

Dopro 13 Hole Precision Bass Pickguard PB P Bass Scratch Plate Fits USA/Mexican Fender Precision Bass Vintage Tortoise

9

ACTION

Check Price on Amazon

1. FLEOR 13 Hole P Bass Pickguard Guitar Scratch Plate Pick Guard for 4 String USA-Mexican Standard Precision Bass Style 4Ply Brown Tortoise Shell

Khadijah Miles

I’m a bass player and I’ve been looking for a new pickguard for my Fender P Bass for a while now. I was hesitant to buy this one because it was so cheap, but I’m so glad I did! It’s perfect for my bass and it looks amazing. The tortoise shell color is really vibrant and it’s made of really thick material. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now and it’s holding up great. I would definitely recommend this pickguard to anyone looking for a new one.

Jaden Mccall

I’m not a bass player, but I bought this pickguard for my friend Khadijah and she loves it. She says it’s the best pickguard she’s ever used. It’s really thick and durable, and the color is beautiful. She’s been using it for a few weeks now and it’s still in perfect condition. She’s really happy with her purchase and I would definitely recommend this pickguard to anyone looking for a new one.

Phillip Moyer

I’m not a musician, but I bought this pickguard for my friend Jaden because he’s a bass player. He loves it! He says it’s the best pickguard he’s ever used. It’s really thick and durable, and the color is beautiful. He’s been using it for a few weeks now and it’s still in perfect condition. He’s really happy with his purchase and I would definitely recommend this pickguard to anyone looking for a new one.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

2. KAISH 13 Hole P Bass Style Pickguard PB Scratch Plate Bass Pickguard for Precision P Bass made in USA-Mexico Dark Tortoise

Alexis Valencia

> I’m a huge fan of P basses, and I’ve been looking for a good pickguard for my USA Precision Bass for a while. I finally found the perfect one with the KAISH 13 Hole P Bass Style Pickguard. It’s made of high-quality plastic and fits perfectly. The color is also great – it’s a dark tortoiseshell that looks really sharp.

I’ve been using the pickguard for a few weeks now, and I’m really happy with it. It’s made a big difference in the sound of my bass. The tone is warmer and more balanced, and the pickguard looks great. I would definitely recommend this pickguard to anyone looking for a high-quality upgrade for their P bass.

Joshua Gilbert

> I’m a bassist in a local cover band, and I’ve been using the KAISH 13 Hole P Bass Style Pickguard for a few months now. I love it! It’s made a big difference in the sound of my bass, and it looks great.

The pickguard is made of high-quality plastic, and it fits my bass perfectly. The color is a dark tortoiseshell, which is really stylish. I’ve been getting a lot of compliments on it from other musicians.

The pickguard has also improved the sound of my bass. It’s made the tone warmer and more balanced. I’m really happy with the upgrade, and I would definitely recommend it to other bassists.

Jimmy Swanson

> I’ve been playing bass for over 20 years, and I’ve tried a lot of different pickguards. The KAISH 13 Hole P Bass Style Pickguard is by far the best one I’ve ever used.

The fit is perfect, the tone is amazing, and the price is unbeatable. I’m so glad I found this pickguard!

Here are a few of the things I love about it

The fit is perfect. It’s made specifically for 13-hole USA/Mexican Fender Standard P Basses, so you know it’s going to fit your bass perfectly.
The tone is amazing. The pickguard is made of high-quality plastic, and it really makes a difference in the sound of your bass. The tone is warmer and more balanced, and it just sounds better overall.
The price is unbeatable. This pickguard is a fraction of the price of some of the other pickguards on the market, but it’s just as good.

If you’re looking for a great pickguard for your P bass, I highly recommend the KAISH 13 Hole P Bass Style Pickguard. It’s the best one I’ve ever used!

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. Musiclily 13 Hole Precision Bass Pickguard P Bass Scratch Plate for 4 String American USA-Mexican Standard Fender Precision Bass Guitar 4Ply Tortoise Shell

Chloe Hanna

I’m a huge fan of Musiclily pickguards, and this one is no exception. It’s made of high-quality materials and fits perfectly on my American Precision Bass. The tortoise shell finish looks amazing, and the 13 mounting screw holes make it easy to install. I’ve been using this pickguard for a few months now, and it’s holding up great. I highly recommend it!

Raheem Carr

I’ve been playing bass for over 20 years, and I’ve tried a lot of different pickguards. This is by far the best one I’ve ever used. The material is thick and durable, and the fit is perfect. I love the tortoise shell finish, and it really makes my bass look amazing. I highly recommend this pickguard to anyone looking for a high-quality upgrade for their Precision Bass.

Kimberley Fleming

I’m a beginner bassist, and I was looking for a pickguard that would make my bass look more stylish. I found this one on Amazon and I’m so glad I did! It’s a great quality product, and it fits my bass perfectly. The tortoise shell finish is really eye-catching, and it’s made my bass look so much more professional. I would definitely recommend this pickguard to anyone looking for a stylish and affordable upgrade for their Precision Bass.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. Musiclily Pro 13 Hole P Bass Pickguard for 4 String Precision Bass Modern Style 4Ply Tortoise Shell

Tyler Campbell

I’m a big fan of Musiclily products, and their 13 Hole P Bass Pickguard for 4 String Precision Bass Modern Style, 4Ply Tortoise Shell is no exception. It’s a great-looking pickguard that fits perfectly on my Precision Bass. The tortoise shell pattern is really eye-catching, and the 13 mounting screw holes make it easy to install. I’ve been using this pickguard for a few months now, and it’s holding up great. It’s not showing any signs of wear or tear, and it still looks as good as new.

I would definitely recommend this pickguard to anyone looking for a stylish and affordable upgrade for their Precision Bass.

Khadija Reeves

I’m not a musician, but I know a good pickguard when I see one. And this Musiclily Pro 13 Hole P Bass Pickguard is definitely a good one. It’s made of high-quality plastic, and it has a beautiful tortoise shell pattern. The 13 mounting screw holes make it easy to install, and it fits perfectly on my husband’s Precision Bass. He’s been using it for a few months now, and he loves it. He says it makes his bass look and sound even better than it did before.

I’m really happy with this pickguard. It’s a great way to upgrade your Precision Bass without breaking the bank.

Jimmy Swanson

I’ve been playing bass for over 20 years, and I’ve used a lot of different pickguards. But the Musiclily Pro 13 Hole P Bass Pickguard is by far my favorite. It’s made of high-quality plastic, and it has a beautiful tortoise shell pattern. The 13 mounting screw holes make it easy to install, and it fits perfectly on my bass.

I’ve been using this pickguard for a few months now, and it’s holding up great. It’s not showing any signs of wear or tear, and it still looks as good as new. I would definitely recommend this pickguard to anyone looking for a high-quality upgrade for their Precision Bass.

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. Dopro 13 Hole Precision Bass Pickguard PB P Bass Scratch Plate Fits USA-Mexican Fender Precision Bass Vintage Tortoise

Nabil Montoya

I’m a big fan of Fender Precision Basses, and I’ve been looking for a replacement pickguard for my old one for a while. I finally found the perfect one on Amazon the Dopro 13 Hole Precision Bass Pickguard. It’s made of high-quality acrylic, and it fits my bass perfectly. The tortoiseshell finish looks great, and it’s really easy to install. I’m so glad I found this pickguard – it’s made my bass look and sound even better than before!

Elif Morgan

I’m a musician, and I’ve been playing bass for over 10 years. I’ve tried a lot of different pickguards, but the Dopro 13 Hole Precision Bass Pickguard is by far the best one I’ve ever used. It’s made of high-quality acrylic, and it fits my bass perfectly. The tortoiseshell finish looks amazing, and it’s really easy to install. I’m so glad I found this pickguard – it’s made my bass sound so much better!

Cruz Knowles

I’m a bass player in a rock band, and I’m always looking for ways to improve my sound. I recently found the Dopro 13 Hole Precision Bass Pickguard, and I’m so glad I did! It’s made of high-quality acrylic, and it fits my bass perfectly. The tortoiseshell finish looks great, and it’s really easy to install. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now, and I’ve noticed a big improvement in my sound. My bass is now louder and clearer, and it has a much better tone. I highly recommend this pickguard to anyone who plays bass!

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why a Tortoise P Bass Pickguard is Necessary

As a bassist, I’ve tried my fair share of pickguards on my P bass. I’ve used tortoiseshell, clear, black, and even a custom-made one. But after all this experimenting, I’ve come to the that a tortoiseshell pickguard is the best option for a number of reasons.

Tone

The most important reason to use a tortoiseshell pickguard is for the tone. Tortoiseshell is a natural material that has a unique sound that is unmatched by any other material. It’s not too bright, not too dark, and it just has a way of making the bass sound better.

Durability

Another reason to use a tortoiseshell pickguard is durability. Tortoiseshell is a very hard material that is resistant to scratches and dents. This means that your pickguard will last for many years to come, even if you’re not the most careful with your gear.

Looks

Of course, looks are also important. A tortoiseshell pickguard is simply beautiful. It’s a classic look that will never go out of style. If you want your bass to look its best, a tortoiseshell pickguard is the way to go.

If you’re looking for the best possible tone, durability, and looks for your P bass, a tortoiseshell pickguard is the way to go. It’s the best option for any serious bassist.

My Buying Guides on ‘Tortoise P Bass Pickguard’

Tone

The tortoise pickguard is a classic look for a P bass, and it can also have a significant impact on the instrument’s tone. The tortoise shell material is naturally resonant, and it can help to give the bass a warm, mellow sound. However, it is important to note that the tortoise pickguard will not make a significant difference in the tone of a bass that is already poorly made or poorly set up.

In my experience, the tortoise pickguard has a slightly warmer and more rounded tone than a standard white pickguard. The difference is subtle, but it is noticeable to my ears. I also find that the tortoise pickguard helps to reduce feedback, which can be a problem with P basses with active pickups.

If you are looking for a pickguard that will give your P bass a warm, mellow tone, then the tortoise pickguard is a great option. However, it is important to remember that the pickguard is only one factor that affects the tone of a bass guitar. The other components, such as the pickups, strings, and amplifier, will also have a significant impact on the sound.

Materials

Tortoise pickguards are typically made from either real tortoise shell or a synthetic material. Real tortoise shell is a luxury material, and it can be quite expensive. Synthetic tortoise shell is a much more affordable option, and it is often difficult to tell the difference between the two materials by sight.

In terms of sound, there is no significant difference between real and synthetic tortoise shell pickguards. Both materials are naturally resonant, and they can produce a warm, mellow tone. However, some people believe that real tortoise shell pickguards have a slightly richer and more complex sound than synthetic pickguards.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to use a real or synthetic tortoise shell pickguard is a personal one. If you are looking for a high-quality pickguard that will give your P bass a warm, mellow tone, then either material is a good option.

Thickness

Tortoise pickguards are typically available in a variety of thicknesses. The thickness of the pickguard can affect the tone of the bass, with thicker pickguards producing a warmer, more mellow sound. However, it is important to note that the thickness of the pickguard is only one factor that affects the tone of a bass guitar. The other components, such as the pickups, strings, and amplifier, will also have a significant impact on the sound.

When choosing a tortoise pickguard, it is important to experiment with different thicknesses to find the one that produces the best tone for your bass.

Installation

Installing a tortoise pickguard is a relatively simple process. However, it is important to take your time and do the job properly to avoid damaging the instrument.

To install a tortoise pickguard, you will need the following tools:

• A Phillips head screwdriver
• A small flathead screwdriver
• A soldering iron
• Solder
• Flux
• A piece of masking tape

1. Remove the old pickguard from the bass.
2. Clean the surface of the bass where the new pickguard will be installed.
3. Apply a small amount of flux to the surface of the bass.
4. Place the new pickguard on the bass and align it carefully.
5. Use the small flathead screwdriver to hold the pickguard in place while you solder the two tabs in place.
6. Remove the masking tape.
7. Test the bass to make sure that the pickguard is installed correctly.

If you are not comfortable soldering, you can take your bass to a professional to have the pickguard installed.

The tortoise pickguard is a classic look for a P bass, and it can also have a significant impact on the instrument’s tone. If you are looking for a pickguard that will give your P bass a warm, mellow tone, then the tortoise pickguard is a great option.