Clavin Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 Hi everybody. This is a commision I recieved while at the First World Guitar Congress. I also got to meet and hang out a little while with Dave from Myka Guitars (who had an incredible display) and even a few project guitar guys stopped in. Scott R for one. It was a great week. Dave's guitars are absolutely beautiful, and sound great wether it's jazz or rock or anything. He produces a full range of guitars from solidbody to archtop to acoustic. It was an impressive display. This truss inlay is made of onyx, gaspeit, yellow corian, turquoise, and light and dark red coral. Thanks for looking as always Craig Lavin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
truerussian558 Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 i love the inlay, it actually looks like a painting not an inlay which is hard to achieve with inlays especially complex one, and the materials are a great contrast to the wood (what is i the wood by the way). just a question, how do you route out the inlay cavities on such small pieces? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Rosenberger Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 Craig's display was top notch. I got a chance to see the Living Sea guitar and let me tell you, I was blown away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotrock Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 I think that is my favorite on yet, which is saying something because they're all very special. I would say that it's absolutely fantastic, but I should imagine you know that already. It's a pity that you can't keep them all (or send them to me ) So whats next week, inlaying the cistine chappel? mona lisa? Muchos kudos dude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maiden69 Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 awsome job. I so mad I had to miss the convention. It was right next door, but I didn't had the money and the events that I wanted to see were on working hours and I couldn't leave since Igot nobody to replace me. I was looking foward to see MIKA's guitars since they look awsome on pics (can't imagine how good will look in person). may be next time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Rosenberger Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 I so mad I had to miss the convention. It was right next door, but I didn't had the money and the events that I wanted to see were on working hours and I couldn't leave since The exhibition hall was free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clavin Posted June 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 An oops fix! Dave's name is MYKA with a Y. My apologies for the typo! That's about the only flaw related to his guitars at all that I have seen! :o) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maiden69 Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 The exhibition hall was free Do you think that if I go over there I will be able to hold my self and only go to the exhibitions... Come on, too much good stuff, information, lessons.... could feel my bank account getting thinner, Marty Freidman (Cacophony... ) Could not put my self thru that... I also wrote MIKA, Sorry,YYYYY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clavin Posted June 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 truerussian558, You can get router bits down to 1/32, which is more than adequate for the job. The hard part is working with the materials so they actually inlay cleanly into something so relatively thin, without going through the back. Sometimes that does happen, but at least it's tha back! I still used .06 or thicker materials in this piece. I would think most others may use .04 or even .03'. The stone was actually over an 8th in some cases. I had to cut clean to make the joints work. Craig Thanks guys for all your as always wonderful comments! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotrock Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 Thaks for the always wonderful pics/inlays/inspiration Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragyn Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 Not much more that I can add, that everyone hasn't already said. Great work as always sir!!! Dragyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitar_ed Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 Hi Clavin, What is your source or brand for such small router bits? BTW: The quality of the bird is fantastic, same level of quality as your other work. Keep it up. Thanks, Guitar Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mynamesucks Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 that really is stunning! your work is one of a kind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skibum5545 Posted June 15, 2004 Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 Is the face made of the yellow corian? And is it just me, or does that pale yellow fade into a darker yellow near the bottom? WOOOW.... Superlatives. Superlatives preceded by comparatives. And whatever is better than that... you get the point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clavin Posted June 15, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2004 The face and yellow swirl on the beak are corian, and the shading is just the picture, although there is feather "lines" down near the bottom engraved in red. I use the carbide downcut stew-mac bits. They cost a bit more but they are very much worth it. Go to www.stew-mac.com and you'll find them there. If your going to do inlay or any other project more than a few times, or wether your selling the final project, or just trying to please yourself (I personally am never happy unless the client is first- luckily this one was total freedom for my materials and image choice- the instructions were soley "do a toucan") then it pays to get the best tools you can afford. It will show in the quality of your work. Oh, and the wood type is normal Taylor grade rosewood. Indian I believe. Thanks again- coming up soon- sea turtles, a jellyfish knife, a lighning bolt truss cover, and sterling silver Japanese throwing stars in maple (ouch) Rouiting that should be fun Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myka Guitars Posted June 16, 2004 Report Share Posted June 16, 2004 Craig, glad to see you made it back to the forum so soon. And thanks for all the comments. I really appreciate it. The World Guitar Congress was a great time. I met some really good people and heard some awesome players. The informal jams by the players stopping by to check out my guitars was enough to keep me satisfied. There is some wonderful talent in the world. At the congress Craig's inlay booth was across from mine. Craig and I got a chance to hang out quite a bit. His work is world class. I was also blown away by the work he brought. Pictures don't do it justice. He won't admit it but he kicks ass on the guitar as well. That is an awesome toucan, of course. Glad to see you got some work from the congress. It's nice to stay busy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsilver Posted June 17, 2004 Report Share Posted June 17, 2004 I was thinking about using sterling silver as an inlay material (in the far, far distant future). Do you mind revealing your general source of silver material - a jeweller perhaps? Can you get silver shaped in a flat form like MOP for cutting, or do you have to form it into sheets before cutting? I assume that under lacquer, it doesn't tarnish? BTW, you should be proud of the toucan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clavin Posted June 18, 2004 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2004 I get all my sheet silver in .06 sterling sheet. It's available in many differerent thicknesses in many sizes. Sheet, wire, etc.. it's as easy to work as any shell blank, actually easier because it doesn't ever crack. I get mine from a jewelry supply, not a jeweler. That's where they get thier stuff from and that's the most inexpensive way. Any metal will tarnish under a finish (it's just much much slower to) but with good quality metals all you need to do is buff it out a litle and everything will be fine. I'm at the near end of inlaying some solid sheet silver "throwing stars" into a maple fingerboard now. My supplier is Starr gems of Arizona. They are really good. You can also try Thunderbird supply, and a slew of others. Cut it the same as any pearl. With a jewelers saw and the associated blades. Thanks Craig L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skibum5545 Posted June 18, 2004 Report Share Posted June 18, 2004 The jewelry program at my school relies on Rio Grande jewelry supplies. Works for them! Sterling silver is REALLY NICE to work! Cuts easily, polishes nicely, and does exactly what you want, when you want. The one thing to watch out for is not to melt it when soldering with a blowtorch, but that shouldn't be too much of a problem for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsilver Posted June 18, 2004 Report Share Posted June 18, 2004 Thanks for the silver tips. You can see from my id I have an interest. As I said, sometime in the future. I was thinking about inlaying a silver sheet logo on an ebony headstock. From your notes, that's definitely possible. Craig, checked out your website. Crazy stuff!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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