Official Luthiers Forum!

That's a great save. If I remember correctly, Larry R. got started that way according to his book.
I know you didn't ask my opinion, but I have to anyway.. Go with a small filled black line for the antennae. That's so delicate right now anything too thick, like shell, will throw it off! Two small ebony filled exacto knife cut lines will be dark, thin, clean, and perfect!

Of course that's my 2 cents, obviously your doing very well on your own   

Larry my backs doing well. Don't make me post my butterfly images! There not even on a guitar

Craig Lclavin38594.4838310185

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www.handcraftinlay.com

Craig,

THanks for the suggestion on the antennae...that thought had crossed my mind, and now you have confirmed my gut feeling!

I was looking at your page and saw your Madonna inlay...just wondering how you did the shadowing around the eye area on that one? Is it shaded epoxy?

Thanks,

Russ

Hi Russ.
That is epoxy- Stew-Mac black mix. It took more than a few tries getting the shape right, but you see the results when it's done. It really does look like shade. The latest Guitarmaker has an article I wrote on how I do it, and how workable it is.
Maybe somehow you can get a copy.
Best of luck, your work looks great!
Craig L.

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www.handcraftinlay.com

Russ are you an ASIA member?

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Brock,

I have been a member in the past, but I let it lapse a couple of years ago.

I will be signing up for the "OLF special" this week...looks like a great deal (even for us overseas dwellers!)

I'm worried about the canteliver over the sound hole. I think I would glue a cross grained hard wood patch underneath. Unless this is a lefty guitar, the butterfly is in striking distance of a pick.

Also where do you intend to put the antenna? The butterfly looks like it is flying into the sound hole. If you put antenna there you will have to leave a large section of top wood. Without the antenna you can cut the butterfly to shape.

Not to add chaos to this discussion...

But the butterfly is definitly leaving the soundhole. Butterflies almost always have larger upper wings than smaller. The antennae face out.
Craig L.

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www.handcraftinlay.com

"Butterflies almost always have larger upper wings than smaller."

I stand corrected. That just shows youall how observant I am.

Hey....at least you could tell that it's a butterfly.

I'm happy with that!