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    It's almost 7:25AM and I'm just rolling in from my shop after an inspired overnight effort. Sometimes it's the best time for me to do the kind of work I needed to do last night. No phone ringing, no knocks at the door or other distractions. Just a long peaceful shift at the bench...just what I needed.

    I thought some of you may like to take a peek at the early inlay stages for the African guitar. I was considering using a reserved number in my Creation Series, but decied after some very tactful prompting from a few folks to do something new and different for this guitar while still presenting something that may be appealing to braod base of players. That was always a primary goal since the sole purpose of this guitar's creation was to benefit the kids in the orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya.....the more players it appeals to..the more dollars that are liely to be bid for it....and the more support the kids at the orphanage end up getting.

   The inlay is complely cut with the exception of the final eyes which will be gold Mother Of Pearl with engraved pupils. I just didn't have anything left this morning to get them cut and in place.

   Let me know what you think. I'm locked into this inlay and am really enjoying the placement of it which is not typical, but is very striking with its orientation to the rosette and binding scheme.

   Someonw told me that Judy Threet had done a lion head in a headstock of a guitar and then I heard it showed up on the current issue of Guitarmaker Maf from ASIA. I was a little uncomfortable with the idea, but I had the drawing dome last week and was committed to it before I'd seen her work. Anyone who sees the two will certainly see that Judy and I have completely different approaches to inlay and its interpretation into the media that we use to accomplish our desired goals. I've always loved her work, but just have some different ideas and I'm confident that these two lions will pose no issue of one being too much like the other in anyone's eyes.

Thanks for looking,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars







Kevin Gallagher38892.7636574074

Kevin that is awesome. You are one talented man.

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The Zootman
1109 Military Rd.
Kenmore, NY 14217
(716) 874-1498

Kevin. you are a true artist! That's incredible!

I think you just increased the value of that guitar by a lot.

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Most excellent.... I am impressed!

Reminds me of a tiger inlay I did on an electric guitar once - only lots better

OUTSTANDING!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

ShaZAMM!!!

That's awesome...wow, two lion inlays in one week...this is very cool! I'm inspired!
I'm going to go and....and...hug my cat!

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

very tastefully done. a work of art!

That is unbelieveable...I'm at a loss for words. Can't wait to hear how this entire thing turns out.

Thanks for keeping us in the loop Kevin!

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Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

Very, very nice Kevin. -Wow!

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"An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered." G. K. Chesterton.

Wow!! Wow!!
That is just amazing!!

Undeniably Awesome, The best I have seen! The look of the lions face- Regal,elegant,proud, Kinglike,and cool!
Great job Kevin!

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Amazing......thats a remarkable piece of art!

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Peter M.
Cornerstone Guitars
http://www.cornerstoneukes.com

Kevin, i saw Judy Threet's lion and WOW, both her's and yours are AMAZING! iNSPIRATIONAL WORK! Thanks for sharing this with us!

Gonna be PMing you soon on some OT questions if you don't mind of course!

YF SergeSerge Poirier38892.500474537

Kevin,

Inspiring work, and worldclass workmanship. Wow, that is just too cool.

Jeff

Kevin, that is stunning work. Absolutely perfect in execution and artistic excellence. I'm truly in AWE!!!

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Kevin,

The more I look at this inlay the more impressed I am. I would pay good money to see a video of this done step by step. This must be a natural born talent, because I just can't see myself ever getting to this skill level.

Man, that is a wonderful inlay.

Jeff

That's gorgeous! Beautiful, beautiful work.

Yes, definitely awesome. I love it, and I love it's placement.

Kevin mentioned this idea to me about two weeks ago, and I was pretty
excited about it. I can vouch that it's inspiration lay elseware from Judy
Threat's.

I love the colors and especially all the details in the mane. It's
remarkable.     

Kevin,

Mufasa, Simba . . . that is just so beautiful and a worthy symbol of your whole endeavour here.

Lion King . . . I salute you

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Dave White
De Faoite Stringed Instruments
". . . the one thing a machine just can't do is give you character and personalities and sometimes that comes with flaws, but it always comes with humanity" Monty Don talking about hand weaving, "Mastercrafts", Weaving, BBC March 2010

Looks like Aslan himself....



Don Williams38892.5834837963

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

    Thanks alot guys. I have to have the guitar playing tonight in order to use it to lead a worship service for all on the trip team members and their friends and families tomorrow afternoon.

    I do have another Omega MJ that I can use, but really want this one up and running in order to pique the excitement of the radio station execs and trip coordinators for the upcoming auction of it. I'm still trying to appeal to Christie's of New York to either donate a slot or a reduced fee rate for an auction in a few months. I've seen them do it for guitars being sold by a builder or two to benefit their own namesake charities and hope they can see the value in helping this charity by aiding in the sale of this guitar.

Thanks again, I'm humbled by your comments.

All the best,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

That is some nice work.

That's one of the coolest inlays I've ever seen. I love it. I love where you
put it too. Great job!

What did you back up the veneers with, if anything?

Mike

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Mike

"The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners. Shoosh." The Stranger

Kevin, that is absolutely outstanding. What a great design and superb work. I just know that this guitar is destined to bring a lot of money for the orphanage. You are to be commended again for all your hard work for a good cause.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

Kevin, that just ROCKS!! Please post more pics after you get it completely finished with the frets in and strings on.

This is one beautiful guitar.

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