Carbon Fiber pick guards...

So I know I just joined this forum so I don't have any reason to be trusted other than my word and feedback from other forums, but I was interested in making Carbon Fiber pick guards for whatever bass you guys have and want one for. I do a lot of carbon fiber work for automotive-related things, and Think that a carbon fiber pick guard would look amazing on basically any bass out there (not sure about wood-finish though).

What do you guys think? I'll be honest I'm a college student and could use a little extra money on the side, so wanted to offer up my services. Do you guys agree or disagree that it would look cool? I can't post a classified thread though for some reason, so I decided to get people's general opinions here.

 

The problem is that there is a big shortage of CF in the US due to government contracts, etc. The most expensive issue with building a pickguard is its thickness...even though it isn't that thick, really. My pickguard is 3/32" thick, which I'm sure is about standard. To make one that is made out of only CF fabric or CF fabric sandwiching an eigth-inch wood sheet would cost you guys about $90 shipped. Fitment would not be any worse than any Fender made pickguard...I can make it match them perfectly...or pretty darn close to perfect. Of course if I would get more guys interested, I could bump the price maybe $5 a piece. I know it would be double what you would pay for a plain pick guard...but it's 5 times the craftsmanship....hand made, and truly unique.

The other option is that I buy 1/16th plastic sheet, cut it to the right shape, and then cover it with one layer of CF to reduce the cost. That would be about $65 shipped, but wouldn't be quite the showpiece since it is an overlay.

What do you think?

 

P.S. I just watched a guy play at an open mic night a couple weeks ago at a local coffee shop. The acoustic he played on was 100% carbon fiber. It was amazing...and I bet the price was too.

 

uh I don't have any made yet...I'm just thinking about it. I won't be able to make any for maybe a month...I was just seeing if there is a general interest if I can get the prices reasonable. I would also need some guys with extra pick guards to send me theirs so I can make a template

 

Yeah even when you buy pickguards from Fender made for your bass...they don't always fit perfect. What I'll need to do is have some guys volunteer to send me a pickguard of theirs for me to make a template from, then I can make one and send you the CF one and your own.

for guys that don't have pickguards already, or can't send me yours for some reason, then I will have to try to find one from someone else with your type of bass and send you one that fits it...then you might have to file it down a little bit.

As far as wear on the pickguard...that is yet to be determined. I think it should hold up very well...but only time will tell. I'm trying to negotiate with some composite suppliers right now to make sure I can get the absolute best deal without sacrificing quality too much.

 

it seems like there is enough interest to make a good crack at em...hopefully in a week or two I will have my dremel and materials and made a prototype...i def. wouldn't expect anyone to commit b4 seeing pics.