Cooperative Project

[guitarbuilder]

those engravings look mighty nice there

[mgdesigns]

Thanks, Guitarbuilder - I just hope they'll look nice to the builders and the final recipient. I still have the large eagle Pickguard to do, and I am looking forward to that, but the border will be a challenge the way I've proposed it. Each of the "S"'s in the serpentine it actually at least 2 cuts beveled in opposite directions to help catch the light. Some of them are 4 cuts - 2 from each end. That border on the pickguard is very long, and when I layed it out in Rhino3D, there was 430 "S"s going around the perimeter. I may have to stretch them out to make it easier. The Eagle will be fun, though because I can really try to put some detail into it. I'll post my progress tomorrow.

[CptRyg]

Wow man! This is looking great!
I think those pickups and any other parts should be sent to the body so they can at least ship together. Ill have to go back and review the commitment list to see what needs to happen next. Tomorrow

[mgdesigns]

Progress is being made. I have a few more photos to submit, and the engraving portion of this project is seeing light at the end of the tunnel. I have the Custom Alumium Rutter's Bridge embellished with the eagle, and the Custom fabricated pickguard by RodeoTex is now emblazened with Da Eagle. I have still got the rest of the border to finish with the serpentine, and I will put more detail into the feathers (because I need the practice, I guess). I hope y'all like it.

[turmite]

Originally Posted by jkingma

I was just curious if anyone has heard from turmite about how his wife is doing. I remember a while back he said he might have to send the neck stuff to someone else to carry on with it.

Hi guys,

Well since I was here last, my wife has started a new chemo only to be told yesterday it was not working, and has been to the emergency room and hospital three times with thin blood issues. So thin in fact that the instruments would not read it. She starts another new chemo on Tues of next week.

That said, I am thrilled to see such progress.

John thank you for asking, and Marc thank you for your prayers, as I know for a fact they work. Thank you so much for taking the slack for me. I cannot tell you what a load that takes off me.

John, if you don't mind, let me keep the wood and rod a little longer and when things kinda smooth out, I will go ahead and build a guitar body, neck and install the rod and finger board....maybe by then Cpt can get another of these going.

Thank you guys.

Mike

[fezz parka]

OK, just tell me where and when to send 'em!

[Marc Rutters]

Good to here from you Mike! I'm glad to here you believe in the power of prayer, I'll keep on and no doubt others here are as well.

Peace brother.

[mgdesigns]

Mike:
All of our prayers and best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery.

[turmite]

Thanks guys. I did not tell you all of it. I had to go to the er Monday night with heart issues. I start wearing a moniter on this coming Monday night for 21 days. Something about an irregular heart beat...stress etc!

Ya'll just continue to build this dropd dead gorgeous guitar....and pray!

Mike

[jkingma]

With everything going on in your life its no wonder the ticker has been under stress. Take it easy and look after your wife and yourself. Don't worry about any of this. Take care and best wishes.

[mxmcat]

Sorry to bother but just my mind...

Isn't a metal pickguard too heavy ?

[mgdesigns]

Originally Posted by mxmcat

Sorry to bother but just my mind...

Isn't a metal pickguard too heavy ?

It's aluminum - negligible weight difference, if any. Zemaitis Guitars have whole faces of aluminum, and some of the biggest stars of Rockdom don't seem to mind.
Take a looksee at this:
http://zemaitis-guitars.com/our_guitars/custom_metal/

[mgdesigns]

BUMP - I will be able to finish the engravings by Wednesday this week. My wife already has my other day off scheduled for the Honey-Do lists. I only have to finish the scratchplate (no pun intended), and polish all. I'll post more photos (better, I'll use a tripod), and then whomever can tell me where to send these off to. I presume to Marc Rutters, so he can send off for his plater? Let me know. PS - I've shown them to some local guitarists, and WOW's from them.

[FSJazzGuy]

Wow is right, your engraving looks awesome. I have to say that after seeing the skill and craftsmanship you've contributed, as well as the quality of the body, I have serious reservations about lasering anything into the body, especially as the body has already had finish applied.

Again, fine work there mgdesigns.

[mgdesigns]

Thanks, I appreciate it. I still have a ways to go. My guitar engraving goals are set high - Danny O'Brien of Zemaitis fame is where I'd like to be eventually. Still learning, and have to work full-time to support my new family, so scratching time is limited. I really do have a passion for expressing myself through this medium. I enjoy trying to be creative on musical instruments, becasue I wish I was more creative on my own musical instruments. Thanks again.

[CptRyg]

Yeah we might have to forgo that lasering option. But we have to keep it in mind for next time.

[FSJazzGuy]

Sounds like a good plan.

[mgdesigns]

Maybe laser a revised Eagle-Guitar for Vets logo onto the headstock? Then amber/clear over afterwards? I'll sketch something up, OK?

[FSJazzGuy]

Great idea, something like that should work well, especially on lighter colored wood. I've done 2 headstocks for customers in the past on maple necks and they both turned out well.

[CptRyg]

Yep sounds like a great idea. I'm not a fan of a guitar on the peg head. Maybe a spread eagle? Maybe a skreaching eagle head from the profile?