KC Endpins...

[Eric Swanson]

Here's a source for metric carbon fiber rods (this page is for solid rods, not tubes). The sound difference is remarkable, even on my inexpensive bass.

Following luthier Michael Hartery's suggestion, I got one of these and stuck one of Bob Golihur's endpin balls on it. Cut the rod in half and now I have a backup:

http://www.cstsales.com/metric_carbon_rods.html

Certainly not nearly as elegant as the wood turning, but it weighs very little, sounds good, and is inexpensive. Just another (low-budget) thought...