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I'm about redy to have my signature cut from pearl to inlay on the headstock. My headstock is a standard Martin shape and size.

What size would you recommend for the signature so it looks balanced? The inlay is simply my last name, "Young" and it is my signature at a slight upward slant from left to right. I don't want it too wide nor too tall but I don't want it tiny either. How far should I stay away from this sides and top of the headstock? How far from the top tuners?

I'm hoping many of you have dealt with this and have some good guidelines to go by.

Thanks!!!

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

If you have it in photo format in the computer, print it in several sizes and try it on the headstock. You will very quickly see what works. Martin and Gibson are a little big to my eye but suitable, some of the others are way to big. I just use the letter T and I think I got it a little big on a couple guitars. I once heard that in the art world, the caliber of the painter's skill and fame is inversely proportional to his/her signature size, it is an ego thing. Look at the classical guitars with plain head stocks, they look real nice to me, the label can tell the whole story.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

mine is 1.5" from left to right. It is small, but very readable.

I prefer them small and petite. To me that is a much classier look.

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

I have my name cut 2" long and i also put it on an angle....This may help you in deciding if you want it smaller or not..... Larry

Uh... What was the question? Larry's guitar is so pretty, I got distracted.
Oh yeah... Now I remember. The font you choose will have a lot of bearing of how it looks. Fred's suggestion is a good one.
The number of letters in your name makes a big difference too. At five letters, yours is quite short. It'll take some fiddling to find a font & size that looks good to you.

Actually, I plan to use my signature instead of a font. Something similar to this (though this still needs work):

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Here's mine , on a Martin type headstock. I use an enlarged version of my signature, which I cut from pearl with a jeweler's saw. Its easier to cut them if the letters aren't too thin, besides I think the boldish letters looks more balanced on the headstock.

You can use it as an avatar too!








If you google "headstock logo" or somesuch, you should get plenty of results showing how the big boys do it...

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Very nice logos everyone, thanks for sharing.

After looking at the pics I realize I probably need to size my signature so the tail of the "Y" stays inside the upper leaft tuner nut......especially if I stay with a style similar to what I've shown above.

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Like Brock's, mine is 1 1/2" long.

Ken

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http://www.casperguitar.com

My logo consists of some abstract design work combined with an initial. This is maple
inlaid into mad rose.

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There is no difference between the man that thinks he can....and the man that thinks he cannot.

If you digitalize your logo, a lot of the cnc people can cut both the logo and the headstpock veneer pockets for you.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Here's mine...



Oops, wrong side...

mine is the music notation sign for natural not a great pic but...

my next guitar, the logo will be smaller

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brendan 3.0 new and improved, with better interpersonal subroutines

I'm will try the 1.5" width. Thanks for the suggestions and pics everyone so kindly shared.

Another question. I'm curious if you stick with one color inlay or if you change the color or material to match the wood used. For example, you might use white MOP on ebony but use gold MOP on rosewood.

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Formerly known as Adaboy.......

I'd probably make this logo a tad bigger if those flourishes weren't there. This seems like a good fit.

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I read Emerson on the can. A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds...true...but a consistent reading of Emerson has its uses nevertheless.

StuMusic