Tortis Pickguards

New online inventory! Click here

We're now carrying the full range of tor-tis at the same price as in the US! All prices are quoted in US dollars; the actual pounds sterling cost will varying with currency rates...

Due to lack of stock, please be sure to email us.. goodacoustics@gmail.com

A turtle friendly tortise shell substitute...... John Greven developed this material in the mid-1990's after growing frustrated by the quality of pickguard materials available. He undertook a three year project to create a better faux tortoiseshell. From those efforts came Tor-Tis, the most realistic synthetic tortoiseshell available. As the product developed, it became clear that the same materials and processes were also able to reproduce the vintage nitrocellulose pickguard materials from the past, all in incredible color and pattern authenticity.

We can also reproduce virtually any pickguard material from the turn of the century to the present, including the Gibson firestrip shown below and pearlescent materials used on arch top guitars, and ivory (both natural and fossilized).

Prices: Pre-shaped pickguards are available in most of the standard outlines used by Martin, Gibson, Taylor, and Santa Cruz guitar companies along with many of their vintage forms where applicable. We can custom make any shape or size you need on a special order basis, each non-standard shape requiring a new mold. In addition to shaped guards, we also supply 4 X 8 inch sheet stock in all of the colors, and 1/8 thick sheet stock for arch top and mandolin guards. All pre-shaped pickguards come with an industrial adhesive backing for a simple and immediate installation.

Small pre-shaped guard (OM or similar) $25.00
Medium pre-shaped (small D shape) $35.00
Standard D shape $35.00
Large pre-shape (J-200 size) $45.00
Sheet stock: .035 inch thick, 4 X 8 inch $30.00
Arch top sheet stock 4 X 9 X .125+ $45.00
Inlaid guards (customer supplies pre-cut inlays) $75.00
Inlaid guards (we cut the inlays)minimum charge $175.00
Mold cost for custom shapes (each mold) $25.00

One wild example of a"blue pearl" pickguard made especially for a slack key guitar.

Color range



Light Tortis		Medium Tortis


Bold Tortis		Dark Tortis


Natural Tortis OM size		Custom Black Pearl Tortis


Inlaid Tortis (in Black)		Vintage Style Firestripe

Reproduction of vintage celluloids is a specialty of the house. When you need a guard for a pre-war instrument whose guard has crumbled, contact us for a quote.

Current inventory

Please note:
. There are 2 standard dreadnought sizes the larger guard which fits the standard series and the medium for the GE
. Most of our standard guards are made to measure however, you may find a minor amount of trimming may be required to get the fit just right. We cannot offer refunds for guards which require minor trimming, but will do our best to replace them for you. We will refund the cost of the guard and shipping however, if the guard is obviously the wrong size, eg, OM instead of dreadnought.

Large Dread 40's Tortis