Selfmade pickguard - any suggestions?

I bought a guitar that needs a new pickguard but I'd like to make it myself. I'm just wondering if you guys have tried anything really different?? Anybody ever used metal?

I bought a guitar that needs a new pickguard but I'd like to make it myself. I'm just wondering if you guys have tried anything really different?? Anybody ever used metal?

I used clear acrylic (perspex) once, but it was very poor. Just looked naff.

If I had time, I'd make one out of thin copper sheet, and beat it to give it a 3D effect - just to raise it a couple of mm.

Otherwise, thin birch plywood with a quality veneered face could look good, especially with bevelled edges that would show the laminations.

I have not used any of these, but here are some suggestions:

-Galvinized steel sheet
-Plain mild steel, left to rust
-Sterling silver sheet $$$$!
-Copper sheet
-Brass sheet
-Zinc sheet, (printmakers use this, could be acid etched!)
-Lead sheet, (oh wait, too heavy and poisonous!)
-Phenolic sheet (many grades and colors....canvas, linnen, paper based)
-Tinted plexiglass sheet
-Masonite, sealed with Deft
-Ouija, board :twisted:
-Linoleum (old school)
-VCT tile (very common 12"x12" vinyl floor tile, many colors)
-Formica (many styles, and colors)
-Fiberglass cafeteria tray (someone else mentioned this) great idea!

The fiberglass idea in general is great. If they still sell fiberglass repair kits, you could make almost anything using the resin by working on a piece of plate glass. (See feathercaster thread) Any fabric, paper, plant material, insects.........

Clear plexi with a design or picture painted or laminated to the backside.

I like the idea of clear plexi with paint or a picture behind it. I was kinda wanting something to go with the flames but I'm not sure what.

my cousin got his hands on some diamond plating that used to be a running board for a semi truck

we went through about 8 "wood" blades and a case of keystone getting it cut pretty close to specs :lol:
then rather than cleaning off the grime and black goo, we pounded it with screwdrivers and hammers with ashes from an ashtray, then immediately lacquered the hell out of it with about 5 coats of cheap 3M

its on a cheapo parts strat mock, but its frickin mean, ill tell you that
if i wouldve had a camera back in 95 i wouldve captured it

You know what I love, is the tele that Chris flemming designed. It's in the art series. Western motif but it's got metal and barbed wire carving on the edges. I love it. It looks like a true beater guitar.