Official Luthiers Forum!

Newbies here:. Pete

Hello

Just wanted to know something in shell inlay supplies matters

is that:

How big /large of a shell
Luthiers    are usually after -in regards to large   shell inlay blanks.?


*white mop
*gold mop
*black lip

any suggestions gentlemen ,?

either Square or rectangular like is okay
wish to know its length , width and thickness please ?

Would really like to hear and be inform as to size needs preferences which    now consdier    
' hard to get ' -large category inlay blanks. ?

thanks.

best,
pete

Natural non laminated shell

Mop 2" x 2" is considered large
gold Mop 1 x 1 is considered large 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 is some times available, but often fades to white at the ends Gold MOP is rendered from the same shell as White MOP
black lip I believe 1" x 1" is as big as you will find

Andy DePaule is you best bet to find large pieces of real shell

The size is driven by the curvature of the shell it is being rendered from so sizes vary from individual shell to individual shellMichaelP39004.4939699074

Thanks sir for the reply.

Now all i want to know is just an idea of an
approximate price in retail form of these per piece
just an approximate will do.

How much are these

*2x2 WHITE – per piece ------------$?
*1-1/2x 1-1/12 gold – per piece –$ ?
*1x1 BLACK LIP per piece ---- $?

Thanks again
Pete

typically it is sold by the ounce. 3-6 large pieces make up an ounce depending on the type of shell. for the best deal go to luthiersupply.com This is Andy DePaule's site. prices depend on the size, type and quaility ranging from $15/oz to $40/oz

I should also say most blanks and especially large blanks are rarely rectangular. Most are trapezoidal (5 or six sided)

thickness from .03" to .06". .06" is pretty much standardMichaelP39004.5183449074

Oh thanks for the reply

Allow me to side step the main question for a while.
And try to talk about trapezoidal shape (5 or six sided)

From the point of view of a luthier. ,does a luthier really needs/prefer to have a shellblank that is 4 sided square like rather than cut in trapezoidal shape.?
And ‘dead on ' 4 sided shape is really much preferred ? ( either square or rectangular)
Does a luthier really is very particular regarding this. ?Or it jut so happen shell supplier happen to be offering   this way trapezoidal( when it comes to   large category size) - so most people has just don’t have any choice .

Or trapezoidal shape or 4 sided figure just don’t make any difference at all. – most of the time to most musical instrument inlayer. ?

woudld appreciate some comment. thank you.

Best
Pete

A trapezoid is also a four-sided shape (with some constraints on parallelism of those sides depending on which side of the pond you're on).

Geometry aside, the thing I need most in white MOP blanks is length rather than size. I buy in bulk and get a lot of large pieces, but for something made to fit on a fretboard (ie: long, narrow surface) the form factor that I would find most handy for those big inlays would be something more like 1"x3" rather than 2"x2".

I pay around $10 an oz, but would expect to pay more for only large pieces. The pearl I get is unsorted as to grade and size.

_________________
Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

okay sir : Is something like rectangualr 1x3
is harder to get or more seldom being offered -than square size 2x2 in white mop?

how about gold color blanks ?has anybody ever bought gold blanks as big as 1x3 rectangular.?

best,
Pete

    If you are just starting to cut pearl get some of the cheapest to start. I did take a number of classes and there are more ways to lay pearl . You must find a technique that fits you.
    I started with MOP , I now use any and all the materials. Andy Depaulle and Dave Nichols are my main suppliers. Andy carries the solid pearl and Dave carries ablam.
    Both have thier place.Hvae fun with the hobby and good luck to you
john hall
blues creek guitars

no sir- im not a newbie starting to cut pearls.
but an old one.   

sample of pearls of gold , white and black lip i have cut are for example shown on this website   

http://www.elenhunting.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PRO D&Store_Code=EHOS&Product_Code=MWRSGS&Category_Code=MOP

xxx

at this point -i just wanted to know from he luthiers group , if rectangular sizes such as 3x1 instead of a pure square one is of good use or not. ,and feel same as to squares - to luthier's point of interest .

would appreciate some answer. thank you.

best,
Pete
oversea

StewMac and LMI process MOP blanks into pure rectangles and Gold MOP in to 1" squares. Yes it is helpful at time if you are doing block inlay markers but if doing vine, scroll or other inlay it is not any kind of time saver or real material saver. So from this luthiers point of view I really don't care if a blank is a pure recangle or not. If I need a pure rectangle I can cut or grind it to desired shape.

For me the link comes up as a blank page

sorry if the link page is blank
perhaps open the 'home ' and see gold mother of pearls below that will eventually lead you to various showing of flat white , tahitian   black lip and monster gold sizes

but of course   these are for other purpose and how other fratnerity like to view /have them    which is as thick as 3 mm

http://www.elenhunting.com

enjoy , thanks.

epte