LeftyBassist.com

Okay, this is a bit out of my scope of knowledge, but I've been trying to gather info online and I know there are very knowledgeable luthiers here that might have suggestions.

The pick guard on my '75 Tele bass pretty much disintegrated a year ago, so I ordered a replacement through WD. I've always considered putting a real cowhide pick guard on this bass, however, and ended up buying a cow skin off eBay. It is not a rigid, sturdy piece of leather, however, as is typical of leather pick guards one may encounter, and the Tele bass requires that the humbucker pickup mount to the pick guard. So I can't cut the leather to shape and simply use it alone, as it's not sturdy enough to hold the PUP, I'd have to cut it to shape and somehow mount it to the WD pick guard.

Aside from having no experience whatsoever in cutting leather, how would you suggest I do this? Is there some leather adhesive or something that will bond it to the pick guard? Should I cut the leather larger than the pick guard to allow for it to wrap under and around the pick guard, or cut it to actual pickguard size and just glue it to the face? Or, taking the easy/lazy route, does anyone know someone who might be able to do this kind of work if I send them the components?

I'm not a leather person but I would glue it on and then trim. I would consider using a piece of sheet metal instead of the pick guard.
The sheet metal would be thinner and the edge wouldn't be as visible after trimming. Contact glue used for auto upholstery would work on the metal. Not sure on the pick guard. some glues could react with plastics. An upholstery shop would be where i would take it if I was going to farm it out. Should be able to deal with a shop locally face to face and not have to ship it out,
Hope this helps!
Wolf

I have no idea how to answer your questions, but if I were to contact anyone about it, it'd be the guys who make handgun leather... they stitch and glue it into layers when necessary, mold it into very rigid forms and even sand the edges to make them smooth.

It's almost more like sculpting than fabric work.

Here's a guy that lives in my neck of the woods... super cool.

http://www.haugenhandgunleather.com/index.asp

Maybe he can help?