Thanks to (fellow Michigander) MUSICLOGIC and WILSER, i'd say (for the most part) that my first attempt was a success. Buckeye burl on hard maple...just like grandma used to make. One small problem maybe someone has a fix for...i sanded a little to much into one side and exposed some of the epoxy. I'm hoping its under the surface of the body.

here's what i was talking about...

I say leave that as is, since it will probably be sunk into the body any way. That's looking pretty sharp! great job. I would suggest you drill the mounting holes a bit closer to the edges next time.

i just used the existing holes in the pickup. is there another way?

i just used the existing holes in the pickup. is there another way?

well, I've never done pup covers for 'covered' pickups, but I would guess that as long as the holes are outside of the exiting pickups, far from the bobbins, there should be no problem drilling them through the wood (or even through plastic parts of the real pickup) ...unless I'm missing something.