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Cris, that looks great! How do you finish it?

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

http://www.agrellcarving.com/
http://www.agrellcarving.com/
I don't know if he is still teaching but I studied under Ian and he changed my world. That was years ago. I hope he is still teaching but I don't see it on his website.

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Ken

Not sure about the finish yet.

All I can say is wow !!! That is beautiful

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Beautiful work Chris! Not much "tweeking" needed there I wouldn't think.
Traditionally, it's hard to beat wax over shellac to really bring out the character/toolmarks etc of handcarving.

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Dave
Milton, ON

That is absolutely fantastic. Sometimes it can be better to figure things out yourself because it can be more unique, rather than doing what you learned from someone else. Looks like you've got the technique down... How do you intend to finish it?

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

...I just got to page 2 and see that you haven't decided how to finish it yet...

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

Chris,
Could you show us the tools you used?

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

good god that's awesome! Simplicio would be proud...

That's incredible, Chris.

Wow, you deserve "dang!" and "ye-haw" for that carving.
Dang!
Ye-haw!

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wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

reminds me of tooled leather. what tools are used? very nice

That looks great. And now I understand you meant "headstocks" not literally "heads"...

It's evident that you are self taught, but the same time your carving has great life and creativity to it, and you obviously have natural aptitude. I prefer this to seeing another cliched acanthus leaf myself. However, if you're strong willed, it'd still be possible to incorporate some classes/technique without losing your creative spark I think, if you wanted.

I could spend years "teaching myself" this art and never accomplish what you have! Doesn't look self-taught to me

Looks fantastic, Chris!

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http://www.birkonium.com CNC Products for Luthiers
http://banduramaker.blogspot.com

If you don't have the general consensus figured out yet on this thread than you're def missing something. Consensus is YOU DON'T need lessons. Chris, you've nailed the finished result on this carving and sometimes photos really make small mistakes stand out. I just don't see a mistake.

But seriously, if you're looking to learn a bit about carving techniques I would also look into Mary May. She is big into teaching carving, not sure where her work falls inline with your interests. I also really like Peter Follansbee's stuff but he is very old school in his style and really may not fit in with what you're doing. He is def not the delicate type.

But carving ebony can be a difficult thing to start right off with, and I commend you for producing great work right off the bat. You must be sharpening/stropping your tools constantly.

Ahh...a CNC is a wonderful thing, eh? I'll bet he has a laser too...

Some nice work there! He makes some cool bridge pins!

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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."

Geez, thanks ya'll.
Been looking at Mary Mays online course videos this week ($10 a month course) and also Chris Pye's (About $10 a month) which has really good sharpening and shaping videos.
I just finished up the back with completing the refining of the shell thing and brushed on a spit coat of shellac and then micro meshed it out. I think I'm calling it done and moving on to the front design. I might try some fretboard oil finish latter but not sure about it.

That is AWESOME-looking!