What is the difference between a static wick and a 6” piece of 12 AWG???    $59.90!

There's another difference and that is that the wires at the end of a static wick are very small and pointy, which is required to dissipate charge.

A more interesting question is what is the difference in static dissipation between a carbon airframe without static wicks and one with.   I don't know the answer to that but I suspect I will not like the answer.