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    I have received a few emails suggesting that i use my Creation inlay in the fingerboard of the African Guitar.

    I offered a series of 25 guitars with the inlay featured in the fingerboards and reserved a few of the numbers in the series for myself.

   Id like to get some feedback on what you all would think of that inlay in the board of this guitar.


   Below is a photo of the inlay in my favorite of the series...an all Koa MJ with Maple bindings and Abalone top purfling.

Thanks in advance,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars

I sure like it...I see "someone reaching out" which is precisely what you are doing with your donated build. Anthony Z38877.4463425926

It does seem fitting....

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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."

With out a doubt, I think this inlay was among the top 5 concepts and executions I have ever seen. Kevin, refresh my memory on the story behind the African guitar. The reason I ask, is there a theme or specific cause that inspired this build. If so and the theme ties in good with this inlay series and if you don't mind another variation if this great masterpiece (and I use the word masterpiece with absolutely no reservation) then I would say go for it.

I like it Kevin. I vote to have it inlayed. It does seem fitting for the theme. Given the history of man, it is reported that the garden of eden was somewhere in Africa(I think I read that somewhere). The act of creating this guitar for the good of man is really a communication between man and God. Bless you Kevin for your good deeds.
Tracy

Yes,It does seem perfect for this so I say Go with it!
It sure is an awesome inlay,no doubt about it

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

I'd have to agree with everyone elese, it does eem to fit!

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

[QUOTE=tl507362]Given the history of man, it is reported that the garden of eden was somewhere in Africa(I think I read that somewhere).[/QUOTE]

Actually, it was the Tigres/Euphrates river valley region, part of modern day Iraq. Not Africa, but not far off either.

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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."

Kevin,

Looks very nice! Tastefully done.

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Paul Bordeaux
http://www.bordeauxinlay.com

I'm actually going to disagree. Kevin, I love your guitars and really dream
of having one someday when I have stable income. Given the nature of
this one, and the mission, I would love to see colors and lines that are
more drawn out of the african art tradition. European art is very
evenescent and flowing, but African art tends to have more earth-tones
and lower subjects. If that makes sense.

If I were the visioner on this, I would say (if anything), less out of a
glowing cathedral (which I absolutely love, btw), and more out of a dusty
village. I see a purpose served here in asking us to look out of our
familiar world, and into there's. Using the guitar as an invitation to look
at Africa, and using it as a host of their culture.

[IMG] useruploads/JamesOrr/2006-06-09_130320_puppets_giraffes.jpg[ /
IMG]

Africans do a lot with puppets and masks. I bet a book store would have
a book or two with pictures of different African art traditions. James Orr38877.5444675926

I'm trying my best to make the image work.

I guess I'm the only one that doesn't like it. I love the inlay, just not for this guitar. It seems to me that it should have more of an African theme. Perhaps animals, or a Kilimanjaro inlay. It seems to me that if you are going to do the hands, at least one, if not both should be black.

Kilimanjaro is a very beautiful mountain with a distinct profile as it rises out of the plains. I think it would make a nice inlay. Check out the picture at the top of this page.

Something like this might be interesting.

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

Kevin,

I must say that I really like the looks of this inlay. In addition, I think that it will increase the value of the guitar when it finally hits the auction block. That being said, it also disturbs me a bit. If I remember correctly the original plan was to use Africa and or African themes for the inlay. I believe your mission is to help build an orphanage in Kenya for children with Aids. Unless the orphanage will only accept Christian children then you may have children with a variety of faiths. If that is so then a Western Christian symbol may not be a refection of the orphanage or children. How about a Kenya flag inlay? The red stripe on the flag means independence and the green stripe mean agriculture. The black stripe represents the people of Kenya. The shield and spear mean defense and freedom. The motto is Haramber and it means pulling together ( like this guitar).

These are just some thoughts I had when I looked at your projected inlay. Please do not read anything into my comments. I applaud your humanitarian efforts to help those in need. I applaud your Christian values and your commitment. Furthermore, you have taken your skills as a Luthier and orchestrated a project guitar that will further contribute to the success of the Kenyan orphanage. Well Done!

Philip

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aka konacat

If you think my playing is bad you should hear me sing!
Practice breeds confidence and confidence breeds competence. Unfortunately, I'm stuck in practice.

I'm tending to agree with Steve and James. While the Creation image has great significance in our culture, it may have completely different meaning in another culture, especially one so different from our own as in Kenya's.

But then it really is dependent on who will be trying to buy it. If it's to be auctioned here to raise funds for the mission, will it be shown to a group of potential buyers with an appreciation of a theme with a Kenyan aesthetic and will they be familiar with and supportive of the issues around your mission? Or will the potential buyers be the average guy/gal on the street who might not know about Kenya or your mission?

No solution offered here, just more questions!

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

Craig Lavin here...

I do love your inlays, they are as nice and well executed as any I have seen. That said, here's your chance to do something different, from the heart, and with equal meaning. The creation scene is very beautiful and is full of emotion, but the hands and their positions (to me) imply a different sort of mood than what your doing.
Don't fall into the "trap" of doing what others like because they already have a favorite of yours and may not see something different for the guitar. Most peoples vision is limited or centered around what they know, and what is right in front of them at the time. I think Einstein said something like "the most creative people also hide their sources the best" or something like that.. .

I guess what I am trying to say is your are extremely creative, here is a giutar with a mission, does it really need a "recycled" inlay on it? Of course I mean that in no way negatively. You of all people can do something new. I have no suggestions, I do have ideas, but don't want to cloud your focus.

Respectfully, Craig L.

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www.handcraftinlay.com

I don't feel it's right for this guitar. Creation is a religious based belief. Mainly Jewish and Christian. Other religions also have this type of belief but they are different then whats found in the Bible. Africa is a Continent full of many beliefs. How do you pick one that won't offend anyone. You can't.

If I recall correctly, this guitar is being auctioned to benefit either a missions trip or to benefit the people that the missionaries are going to Africa to help.
In which case, the current theme would be both relevant and appropriate.

That said, Craig does bring up a valid point, that is, this is an opportunity to do something different.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I'd suggest doing a lion inlay. It can't offend anyone, and it immediately says "Africa" (uhm, if you do an African lion!).

[QUOTE]Africa is a Continent full of many beliefs. How do you pick one
that won't offend anyone. You can't.[/QUOTE]

It's an interesting idea to pursue. Does one use their creativity to voice
their beliefs or the beliefs of others? This is meant to be rhetorical, not to
drive the topic off center.

I havent quite figured it out yet, but there is an amazing inlay hiding in that giraffe picture. Not that you would copy it verbatim, but Morgan guitars did a stunning jungle scene on the headstock and dropping onto the first few frets with an elephants trunk and jungle tree and vines.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Kevin, you know I love your work, so whatever you do will be awesome I am sure.

But to offer some other ideas....

To me the inlay (if it has one) should reflect the purpose of the guitar. I don't think it has to be religious, or african. It could simply be some type of expression about cultures connecting in some way. That could be kids playing soccer, a fair of some type, or something personal and intimate -- a common connection between people regardless of all the ways we are differnt, the place where we are all the same. Sometimes I think there is (dare I say) more magic in those "moments" than there is in the grand images.

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

Kevin, I love that inlay! Well, I beleive the mission you're going to help is a Christian based initiative from the Christian radio station (The Word FM www.wordfm.org) thus in my opinion that inlay would be apropriate and more than show and deliver the message of creation.
I do agree with Brock when he says it does not have to be religious but while it does NOT HAVE to be it SHOULD be! (if that makes any sense! )

In my opinion you could create an african style inlay that could deliver the same type of message but if you can't come up with an idea or don't have enough time the creation series inlay would work just fine. Besides, when you auction the guitar in the states most people will be familiar with the concept and will probably apreciate the beauty and craftmanship of your creation inlay.

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

Kevin, all great opinions that i've just read here and was tempted to take sides but i won't add to create more confusion in your head and heart, my only wish for you is that you'll listen to your inner voice and make a choice with what feels right and i'm sure you will because you're a brave man and may the light guide you in your decision.

Kevin, not remembering when this needs to be finished and not knowing your time commitments, I'm sure you will do what you can and it will look great and auction well. I think an alternative that could work as this is for an orphanage would be a adult hand holding a childs hand or an adult carrying a child on their shouder (kind of a "He ain't heavy, he's my brother"). Don A38877.8683217593

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

    Wow! Those are some great ideas and suggestions. Thanks to all for them.

    I should probably take a minute to remind everyone of the ultimate purpose and goal of this guitar's creation. With the trip being sponsored and organized by Christian organizations to build an orphanage founded, run and maintained by a large Christian organization and church in the Nairobi area, the inlay content having the theme that it does is completely appropriate since the hands represented are those of God and Adam.

   Also, this guitar wasn't designed and isn't being adorned to project or communicate the purpose of the trip, the location of the work being done, or the people involved in the work whether receiving or giving. It's sole purpose for even being conceived is to be offer at auction to yield the highest possible price so that the largest possible gift will be able to be given to those living in the orphanage to support them. This is about as far from a white and black or rich and poor thing as it can be since our primary goal is to just get out of the way to allow powers far greater than any we can boast or muster go to work to do miraculous things beteen two very diverse peoples from opposite sides of the planet.

   An African motif would certainly be well recieved and understood by those in Nairobi, but the guitar isn't what's being offered to them. Instead, the music that I will use to inspire and encourage them while I'm there is the first face of the gift's value and the gift of the funds raised at auction as it is sold is the second. Believe me, these will prove far more valuable to and appreciated by all who will benefit from them.

    This guitar was designed and built using woods that wood represent several species indigenous to Africa, but it's still important that it be as appealing to as broad a base of potential buyers as possible after it leaves Africa.

   The inlay is, by no means, "recycled", but was an interpretation that I derived from the Michelangelo work to offer on a series of 25 guitars. All of the guitars in that series with the exception of the few numbers that I'd reserved and the additon of ten that went to Japan in the initial order that inspired the idea of the series have sold and for premium prices.

   After someone suggested its inclusion in this project and expressed their interest in possibly owning it as the result of the auction, I condidered it fr the first time and decided to surrender one of the reserved numbers to be used on it.

   There are plenty of African scenes for those in Africa to see every day and I don't nee to bring another in a 2inch by ten inch piece of artwork split by fret lines and string courses for them to see. The visual appeal of the guitar needs to be realized and maximized upon my return from Africa more than during my visit to Africa. The kids at the orphanage don;t care about the guitar nearly as much as they do the music that is created on one.

    I'm not committed to any idea yet, but probably should have let everyone know that this guitar has to be completed and ready to play in five days or so. I have several other sketches and drawings that I've been throwing around for the past wek or two.

Thanks again and i hope this helps to clarify my situation,

Regards,
Kevin Gallagher/Omega Guitars