Ivoroid picguard material

**testore** · Dec-02-2019, 8:22pm

Looking for a piece big enough for 1 picguard for an octave mandolin. Axiom (James Tailpiece) sells it but only in 64” lengths, way more than I need.
Any help?
Gary

**rcc56** · Dec-02-2019, 9:31pm

You could call Axiom and see if they will sell a smaller length.

Or, Rothko and Frost sells it. They offer it in sheets 1.5 mm x 100 mm x 200 mm, which works out to .060" thick by just under 4" x 8", if that will work for you. It might not be thick enough if you're making an elevated guard. . . ??

They are a British company, so you'll have to find out whether they will ship celluloid overseas; and if so, what kind of shipping costs to expect.
If you check with them, do us a favor and let us know what you find out about whether they will ship to the US.

**testore** · Dec-02-2019, 9:57pm

I spoke to Bill today, he’s going to check but not very hopeful. I have found the other places in the UK. Hoping not to have to pay the shipping. Thanks for the reply! Much appreciated.

**HoGo** · Dec-03-2019, 5:01am

Originally Posted by testore

I spoke to Bill today, he’s going to check but not very hopeful. I have found the other places in the UK. Hoping not to have to pay the shipping. Thanks for the reply! Much appreciated.

Many EU based companies do not charge the hazmat fee. Some of them will ship acetone based glues via air mail with no hassle at all

**Walt** · Dec-03-2019, 11:27am

It looks like Rothko and Frost has the straight grained ivoroid back in stock on its Ebay store. Link Here.
Shipping is listed as ~$17.00, so no hazmat fee. I did notice the price was lower on their website, so might be cheaper to buy from their site.

If the ivoroid is too thin for your pickguard needs, I just stumbled upon a material called "Resin Ivory." Link Here. No Financial Interest.
I used it to make some dome knobs, and I may use it to make some pickup rings as well. It looks really nice; although, if you're going for something like a Gibson A-3 pickguard, the straight-grained ivoroid would definitely be a more accurate choice.
The resin ivory comes in dowel and sheet form. I have only worked with the 3/4 dowel. You do need a fine blade to avoid chipping.