Laser etching text into a scratch plate?

[PunkPonyPrincess]

I’m planning a new bass at the moment and I was going to get some stickers made but I thought it might be more fun to actually have a scratch plate laser cut and with stencil text and a logo so that the colour underneath the instrument comes out through the pickguard

Before I begin this process has anybody tried this?

Edited August 6, 2019 by PunkPonyPrincess

[AndyTravis]

Speak to @TimAl who could do something for you - he’s a bit of a hero like that.

[itu]

I would consult (or insult) a company that knows laser and water cutting. Plastics and fibers tend to burn a bit in the laser process. Water cools the part.

[Merton]

What about these guys?

https://www.alperious.com/

[Beer of the Bass]

I'm thinking it might be a non-starter with standard pickguard material - most are PVC which will release chlorine fumes when heated, and in the case of tortoiseshell pickguards there's a layer of very flammable celluloid too.  It could work with acrylic or similar though.

[Passinwind]

9 hours ago, PunkPonyPrincess said:

I’m planning a new bass at the moment and I was going to get some stickers made but I thought it might be more fun to actually have a scratch plate laser cut and with stencil text and a logo so that the colour underneath the instrument comes out through the pickguard

Before I begin this process has anybody tried this?

My buddy Marco Cortes at Marco Bass Guitars has done lots of laser cut scratch plates, control plates, and truss rod covers, including some clear ones. You do need to pay extra attention to the materials you use, but your idea should be totally do-able.

Edited August 6, 2019 by Passinwind

[Thunderpaws]

Where are you based? I am a teacher with access to a laser cutter. As long as it’s not PVC I could do it for you. I’m in central Scotland. 

[PunkPonyPrincess]

I’m down in the borders.

Of course it doesn’t have to be laser cut as most XY mounted CNC cutters could probably do the job just as well. The general idea is just hack out stencil text so that it is readable in the colours of the instrument below it

[Big_Stu]

I've just had a guy try to do a similar job with a CNC cutter on a MIJ Strat plate, I wanted a couple of autographs made permanent.

The friction melted the edges of the cut & quickly clogged the machine as well as melting the edges of the cut. a non-starter. Another guy has done what I required using a laser etching machine. It doesn't go through the plate completely, just recessed with a colour applied into the recess.

[ead]

I looked into this when contemplating how to put the Amalgamation symbol on the p/g of my Geddy Lee.  Ended up with a sticker for much of the same reasons as above.