Clavin Posted April 12, 2005 Report Share Posted April 12, 2005 Hi guys. Here is the fretboard and headstock from Living Sea-3. It's the most complex series of inlays I have done to date. More photo-real than anything previously. It has to be over 500 pieces total so far. please see the other links for the fingerboard images. Yes there is more going on this guitar- the back. Any questions please ask! Thanks as always for looking! Craig Lavin http://www.handcraftinlay.com/livingsea3.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Headen Posted April 12, 2005 Report Share Posted April 12, 2005 Most of the time I don't reply to your threads, because you already get enough praise. Most inlay doesn't really get me going much. No offense to you, but in many cases, I think large inlays can detract from wood's beauty. This is definitely an exception. PERFECT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clavin Posted April 12, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2005 Thanks Devon.. I underdstand that large image inlay is definitly not for everyone, and that a wood's natural beauty has to show through. That's one of the reasons my guitars have completely BARE body fronts. I personally don't like inlay on the front of the body. The back, absolutely, but wood does need to be seen, especially a high end quilt! This body is lake salvaged 5A quilt. No inlay is going on the front, just a paua purfling, with black edges. Deep greens and blues on a brown natural "stain quilt" Thanks for looking! C.Lavin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jer7440 Posted April 12, 2005 Report Share Posted April 12, 2005 Man, that is just insane. I feel like I'm watching Finding Nemo with my kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mledbetter Posted April 12, 2005 Report Share Posted April 12, 2005 Man, that is just insane. I feel like I'm watching Finding Nemo with my kids. ← I was thinking the same thing.. lol.. Hide a little inlay in there somewhere of a diver mask that says "p. sherman. 42 wallaby way. sydney" lol.. Incredible work.. the nemo comment is in NO WAY meant to detract from what an incredible inlay job this is.. You can tell who has little kids! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clavin Posted April 12, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2005 Don't worry! I did this inlay because my little one of 17 months love fishes as much as his mom and dad.... He shouts out Nemo whenever he see the headstock! I did do it on purpose for that reason. I honestly thought about putting Nemo on the back of the headstock, but since this guitar may/hopefully get some press, I am reluctant to do anything copywrite related.. Thanks for looking! Craig. L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikbojerik Posted April 12, 2005 Report Share Posted April 12, 2005 "Perfect"...??? I dunno....I think I see the fish looking in different directions..... Seriously Craig, that is wonderful. I feel like I'm watching the Discovery channel. This is on the headstock? Please tell me it won't be drilled for a tuning key... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clavin Posted April 12, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2005 This IS on the headstock, BUT, due to the "new" (not so new actually) tuning button free Steinberger tuners (see Stew-Mac), all of the tuning keys will fit neatly out in front of the inlay, inset into the ebony. This image will remain un-tuned! Since thier are no tuner keys to stick out of the sides, they can fit anywhere (relatively) on the headstock! Inlayers rejoice! Your art can now be seen on headstocks un-edited! Craig L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigdguitars Posted April 12, 2005 Report Share Posted April 12, 2005 too bad frets have to go on this one... unreal, the level of detail is so cool!! I think I might have to get a BigDGuitars inlay at somepoint.... -derek Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unusual71 Posted April 14, 2005 Report Share Posted April 14, 2005 how many hours has this taken so far and how many are ahead of you? i must say man, you really gotta respect the patients that goes into that, what do you use to carve the area in the wood where the inlay is going...sorry for all the questions, now get back to work on that masterpiece!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clavin Posted April 15, 2005 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2005 I use a standard Foredom router, and Stew-Mac spirial downcut bits. As for hours, on my own pieces such as this one I don't really keep track. If I had to guess, including researching images, design, drawing, layout, re-drawing for cleanup, then edits, redraws, etc.. then patterning, choosing matrials, cutting, etc.. engraving, I'd say at least 75-100 so far. How many ahead? Possibly another 20. Maybe more? Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragyn Posted April 15, 2005 Report Share Posted April 15, 2005 Craig As usual your artistry is unsurpassed with these inlays. Now If I could only afford a Clavin original with that kind of detail. *Le-sigh* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myka Guitars Posted April 15, 2005 Report Share Posted April 15, 2005 I am blown away again. This is some great work. I am a big fan of nice wood but I am also a big fan of great art and this is beautiful! These living sea pieces are the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsilver Posted April 16, 2005 Report Share Posted April 16, 2005 Craig, beautiful. It's easy to see you love the subject matter. I would say unbelievable but since it exists it must be believable - just beyond the realm of normal. Now as an exercise in meditation, I must go and contemplate how to create inlaid fish lips. Or are they inset? Or are they scribed? My favorite is the angel fish. No, the tortoise.... No, the seahorse.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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