Official Luthiers Forum!

Perhaps it's time for another rosette thread.
Here's one we just scraped down this a.m.
It's our version of the Sloane version of the Rode violin purfling.
(I hope I spelled that right. I've been trying to locate pics on that historic instrument, and not much luck so far.)
Anyway, here 'tis. You'll notice a few differences, and one I'll confess to.
The lozenges are concave as well as smaller than Sloane's version.
They are green ab, not MOP. Ok, that's a tad different.
Also, this was not let into a trench which was then filled with black goo. I inlayed a ring of black veneer, into which all those little gizmos were then inlaid. Fairly tedious, and not sure I'd do it this way again. But the concern over the traditional way was that over time, the black matrix might crumble and fall out; whereas the veneer should be there for the long haul.
Here it is, and thanks for looking,
Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

I like that. It has a very conservative look, while still beautiful. The shapes work very well. Nicely done!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Understated elegance. Love It!

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Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com

pretty pretty pretty !

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Reguards,

Ken H

Steve,

Goo-goo-ga-chube - very nicely done

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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

See, people that's how shell should be used. Steve that's very 18th century, I like the very understated elegance of it. By the way I've handled 18th century ones inlaid in mastic that are still fine, but you are obviously after the really long haul!

Now, the question I have to ask is, are you going to repeat this process for the purfling all around the top? That would be very authentic.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

It's funny how even the simplest of patterns often take way longer to produce then they appear...

Beautiful.
Craig L

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www.handcraftinlay.com

Very nicely done, Steve! I would love to try this some day.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Very pretty Steve - Nice job!

Very elegant Steve. Did you hand cut all of the lozenges? That sure had to be tricky laying out all of the pieces, cutting the inlay pockets and having them all line up so nicely.

Repeating that process for the purfling would be authentic indeed, but imagine the man hours…

Dude, that is sweeeeeet!

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Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

Hey thanks, guys! Nice words from one's peers are always appreciated. (Of course, nice words from one's customers ain't bad either....)
Some answers:
Colin--You would have to bring that up. Currently I don't plan on using this for the purfling scheme. We just went on Daylight Savings Time, and I'm still tired. The thought of doing this all over the guitar just wears me out... I know, I know, I wouldn't make a very good archlute builder.
Glad to hear of some 18th century instruments still holding their mastic intact. And you're probably right. I mean, I'm 54, so why should I worry so much, hmm? Either way, I won't outlive the end results, so no worries re. lifetime warranty?

Anthony--no, I didn't cut all those diamonds. In fact those were purchased from, I believe, Joanna at Rescue Pearl. It was an over-run from the Duke, and I got a little package of 100 of 'em. (Yeah, there might be enough to do the top...)
My helper is pretty good w/ a protractor, so I let him lay out the lines. There was a mark every 9 degrees, as well as a center line in the black veneer. Not toooo hard, sort of like keeping your car in the correct lane.

Dave--no one has ever said goo-goo-ga-chube to me. Thanks are in order. I think. Anyway, since you are the first, how about a tub-o-lard?

Many thanks friends,

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Beautiful, Steve! Choo Choo Cha-boggie!

Anyway... Just an Idea... I recently did one that was similar, and I completed the inlay pattern up on the end of the FB, so it made a full circle, might be worth a try.

long

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"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” -Heraclitus of Ephesus

Steve,

I am honoured, but no need to thank me, thank the Walrus Are you sure you won't need the tub-o-lard for future rosettes though when you run out of the black goo - goo-goo-ga-chube?

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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

Bob, and a wop bop a loo bop, a lop bam bam to you!
Yes, the thought of continuing the circle did occurr to me.
I'll lay it out when the neck is on, and see how it looks. Thanks for the nudge.

Dave, ahhh, that's what they use for mastic.
No worries, got plenty of the stuff. Yours has already been posted.

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Very Nice!!!
Theres something very satisfying about seeing a well planned, laid out, and executed rosette... A thing of beauty and a joy forever!
I saw an Olson rosette that I was thinking of mimicking for my no.1 - beautiful no doubt, yet its a little complicated and might not be the best idea for a beginner.... anyhow.. good stuff
Cheers
Charlie

Very classy, Steve!

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

This is a classic pattern Steve, very nice, if l recall, there are actually a few Strads with this pattern in the purflings.
Oh, BTW many thanks for the connect to Dana!

Steve, that rosette is one of the nicest I have seen.

I am not a fan of MOP or abalone rosettes, but I'm sold on this design!!!!!

Very, very tasteful, and exquisite.

It is pretty humbling being on a forum amongst such world-class guitar builders.

Thanks alot guys and gals. Actually I was hoping that others would post more pics of their work.
Charlie, remember that Jim Olson has a full time laser on staff, which can do some amazing things, far beyond the capabilities of the human hand.
David, glad to hear that it was successful. Send me a PM about that guitar, telling me what you think.
Sam, I know what you mean.

Thanks again,

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Very,very nice rosette Steve.
I like it a lot !!

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Thanks Dave for the kind words!

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Steve...here's a pic of the one I mentioned...


long

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"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” -Heraclitus of Ephesus

Bro
Well done! I think that looks better than Sloane's probably because there seems to be more space between the shapes which makes it a little more elegant. Perhaps a lot more elegant. (more black, less pearl). That is just great!

Bob, yours looks very nice as well. I really like the way it continues over the black fretboard. How would that look with the purfling lines continuing across as well. Just a thought.

Bob that looks stunning! Nice job and excellent artistic touch.