Author Topic: Courtney's Custom Tribute (Read 1098 times)

mica · « **on:** May 01, 2003, 09:19:08 AM »

Hi Courtney, Here's Susan's sketch of your inlay design:

With the overlay for the cloud:

Her idea is to suspend small silver flakes in clear epoxy in the cloud area to get that nebula effect you two were discussing.

cdf · « **Reply #1 on:** May 01, 2003, 10:37:45 AM »

These sketches look great! They really capture just what I was picturing myself. Can't decide yet on Milky Way or no Milky Way, I think it will depend on colors. Susan also suggested I look at the Coco Bolo for Trib wood bank. I think I am most partial to Crazy 652, Wavy Rings 657 and Wide Saturn Rings 666. I did see someone had already expressed interest in Crazy if so the others would be fine. Also if any of the pieces would come out darker than the others, that would be my preference. Anyway I am excited to get started.
Thanks,
Court

billy_v · « **Reply #2 on:** May 01, 2003, 12:26:54 PM »

The Wisdom Eye of the Buddha! I've been planning to have the Wisdom Eye inlaid on my eventually-to-be-ordered Skylark! Since it will already have been done, maybe the upcharge for mine will be a little easier on the wallet! (Ha! Just kiddin' about that upcharge part!) Rock on, Court! May all beings be happy!

mica · « **Reply #3 on:** May 12, 2003, 08:02:04 AM »

Hi Court, Here's the first roudn mock-up of your custom inlay design, with and without the green LED:

There are three sizes of silver for the star field. Sirius won't be quite as large as it looks, I couldn't quite get the right size brush for the scale of this picture, but since it's the brightest start, it will be the largest one in the inlay. Hope you like it. I will post more Tribute tops in the Wood Bank by Thursday, Chip is making some more bookmatches this week. We've selected a few boards I think will closely match your preference.

dela217 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 12, 2003, 08:49:37 AM »

Courtney - I really like that idea for that inlay a lot. Where did you find that? Where is it going to be located on the instrument? Backlighting that would be cool too!

cdf · « **Reply #5 on:** May 12, 2003, 01:46:32 PM »

Mica and Susan,

Thanks for the updates. What can I say other than Wow! The mock-up looks better than I had imagined. Love the starfield. In terms of composition and layout the mock-up is exactly what I was envisioning. In terms of the overall look and the material/colors to be used, even better than I had hoped. Once again Wow! I can't wait to see the additions to the Trib. wood bank. I am still thinking about the LED in the bindi, my first reaction was no LED, but after seeing the mock-up and speaking to Susan about the size of the light I might be changing my mind. I assume the LED would turn on and off with the same switch that turns the LEDs on the neck on and off, right? Well guess that's it for the moment.
Thanks,
Court

cdf · « **Reply #6 on:** May 12, 2003, 02:09:13 PM »

Billy V - Thanks, glad you like the Eyes inlay.

dela217 - Also thanks. The inlay will sit in between the bottom edge of the guitar and the tailpiece, same location as some of the inlays on the other custom tributes discussed in the club. The inlay idea just kinda popped into my head. I was very lucky to have the chance to spend a fair amount of time in Nepal at Ama Dablam and some of the other peaks in that region. Over there the eyes of Buddha are carved and/or painted on countless rockfaces, boulders, buildings etc. I even saw a series of prayers and a set of eyes carved into the horns of an old and very weathered Yak skull while walking down a trail one day. Anyway Buddhist philosophy, mountains and music have always had a similar sort of salubrious spiritual effect for me, so it seemed a good combo. However the credit for turning this idea into such a great inlay belongs all to Susan, Mica and the folks at Alembic. Thanks again for your comments, always appreciate others' input.

Court

cdf · « **Reply #7 on:** May 22, 2003, 02:17:18 PM »

After further consideration and consultation I think I will go with the green LED on the inlay.
Thanks, Court

cdf · « **Reply #8 on:** June 18, 2003, 08:49:41 AM »

Mica,

I just took a look at the new Tribute tops you posted, some beautiful pieces! I may want to use one of the new ones. If you have already started on it no problem I do very much like the first top we had discussed. Either way please let me know. Oh, two other questions;

1) on the Tributes are the tops standardly bookmatched as they appear in the wood bank (and is this what is meant by bookmatched to center) or is that an extra charge?

2)I assume the back is from a different piece of Coco bolo, if so are their choices available for this as well or do you all find something aesthetically pleasing to go on the back?

Well, I guess that was actually more like 2 1/2 more questions.

Many thanks,
Court

mica · « **Reply #9 on:** June 18, 2003, 10:54:08 AM »

The body has not yet been started for your guitar, so we're anxious to hear which top you'd like to get the construction rolling.

To answer your questions:

1. The Tributes (and all the set neck instruments) have a bookmatch to center as the default so there is no additional charge. It's quite a trucky bit of woodworking on a neck through, which is why BTC (bookmatch to center) is an additional charge on a neck through.

2. Yes, the back is an entirely different piece of wood. We'll usually select something that coordinates with the front. If you prefer, you can select one from the section labelled Coco Bolo. These are the standard thickness laminates.

cdf · « **Reply #10 on:** June 18, 2003, 07:12:37 PM »

Mica,

Thanks for the clarification. I have decided on wood. If still available I would like to use 3135 Wild for the top and 3121Dark & Unusual Color for the back. I just love that one, too bad its not thick enough for the top. For both top and back I would prefer to have them oriented as they appear in the wood bank photos, and no sap wood. Please let me know if they are still available.

Thanks again,
Court

mica · « **Reply #11 on:** June 19, 2003, 04:57:20 PM »

I've reserved both pieces for you (the 3121 will probably have enough leftover to get a Stanley Clarke top for another project). We'll mark the work order to not include the sapwood and the orient it the way they are labelled (this is the default).

If you didn't already have continuous wood backplates, I'd be lobbying hard for them - the back is so interesting.

cdf · « **Reply #12 on:** June 20, 2003, 12:56:21 PM »

Funny you should mention that, I was just about to inquire about the same thing. I am fascinated by the patterning on all of the wood in question, especially around the bottom of the piece for the back. So definitely continous wood backplates! Please let me know what the additional cost will be. You all have my number and e-mail address.

Thanks,
Court

mica · « **Reply #13 on:** June 26, 2003, 08:35:35 PM »

It's an additional $400 for the CWB. Chip was cutting the rest of the wood for the body today. He'll be consulting with Kris tomorrow or Monday about the construction since we haven't made a Tribute yet with an LED below the tailpiece. Gotta get all the plumbing just right.

Either my mom or I will call you in the morning to make a final run down of the specs since some serious wood is about to get flying. Can't wait to see the finished guitar.

mica · « **Reply #14 on:** June 27, 2003, 04:43:13 PM »

Got the word about the backplates, so i've made sure they are included on the order. I can't wait to see the back on a finished guitar. It's gonna look so cool.