Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi Guys,
Well, images of these are popping up at other forums so it's only fair that you get to see the ones I took during the build process. They seem to be the cleanest, and this place is the best..

Was asked to do this at last years show, and was moderately able to keep a lid on it for this Winter's NAMM. The headstock is a bottle nose dolphin family looking out at the viewers, symbolizing Martin's family history, and pride, as well as representing me, my wife and two kids.

It is pretty exciting creating what is believed by many to be the first inlay in Martin's history that is an exclusively sea life piece, (me being a marine life guy and all that) and a huge honor. It also sold at the show.

The back and sides are beautiful flamed koa, making the guitar an endemic Hawaiian theme (the reef is Hawaiian)

CFMartin is a wonderful company, open to new ideas, and always trying new things. Thanks to them a dream was realized by myself that was held to since starting inlay over 11 years ago.

I'll add show pics soon.

Thanks for the look, Craig L

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www.handcraftinlay.com

Craig, wow! What beautiful work and what an honor. You should be supremely proud. Congrats. That is great on every level!

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Mike

"The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us sinners. Shoosh." The Stranger

I'd hate to put you in a niche, but besides all around talent, you own marine life like its nobody's business.

Being from Hawai`i, I truly appreciate all that this inlay entails.

Craig, it's just a wonderfull job, really amazing for me.
To work for CFMartin ... more than an honor, it's a real dream. I'me new here, and for me you just became "the man who did a fantastic job for the Martin company". Really great !

W-O-W! That's absolutely beautiful Craig!! My jaw dropped in amazement when I saw it!!!

Stunning! Inspirational!

Cheers,
Dave F.

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Cambrian Guitars

"There goes Mister Tic-Tac out the back with some bric-brac from the knick-knack rack"

DANG! Awesome, just awesome!!!!!

You know how much I love saltwater; enough to have my own 220 gallon reef tank for several years, until the cost of keeping it made me look into a hobby (guitarbuilding) where I could at least break even. If you keep it up with the marine life, I'm gonna have to get me another reef tank, and a guitar to compliment it, and I'm going to be in the poor(er) house!!!!!

I absolutely love that inlay, and you should be about as proud as a man could be. And for Martin to boot!

By the way, I love the dolphins, but the Z. flavescens is my favorite! Fish do have personalities, and the one in the pic reminds me of the one I used to be buddies with.....

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Brad Tucker

Absolutely stunning! Another GREAT job Craig!

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

Absolutely overwhelming, Craig! Congratulations for producing such a wonderful work of art.

I have always been partial to your marine themes and as a diver, I realize how true to life your images just happen to be. The scene reminds me of diving on the Molokini crater which just happens to have one of my favorite reefs in the Hawaiian Islands. Your image instantly took me there...haunting, actually!

I can't tell you how happy I am to see you take on such a large commission with such a great and honored company as Martin. Best wishes!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Wait a minute - there is something fishy here AND it looks extraordinary too!!!! Just over-the-top cool Craig my friend!

Stunning! Thanks for sharing your inlay work here - very inspiring

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John Ressler

I avoided posting my photos of this from NAMM to allow Craig to post his own work when he got home..... That and the fact that unfortunately my photos did not come out near this good. You need to see this guitar as a whole...Wow!!!!!! This and a few others were sold in a private sell and the price well I will just say more than commensurate.

Does anyone else have "under the sea" from the little mermaid running through their head now? (i had a lot of sisters)

But really, that is soooooooo good. You're the man. The dolphins look like they are having fun too.

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Jordan Aceto
Ithaca, NY

Thanks once again to all of you for your wonderful support and thoughts.

If it weren't for this forum, and my being invited over here so many years ago this piece, and many others, might not exist. Never doubt the true value of a forum such as this one. It's as valuable as any group of builders, live and in person or virtual. The positive energy and free discussions that occur here are uncommon and important (well, O.K., maybe not that EMOTICON one!! ) even though I understand Howards thoughts clearly. I just don't quite get what followed!

More pics soon.

Craig

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www.handcraftinlay.com

Your work is very impressive!

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http://www.booneguitars.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-Boone-guitar-builder/488208541257210

Ditto that. Where you from Aaron?

Pat

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

I can attest to how difficult it is to design such a long and narrow composition. Congrats on pulling it off! Oh, and the level of execution is commensurate with the design.

Congtrats, too, on achieving a level in your craft such that a company like Martin not only recognizes you, but commissions you!

The only problem that I can see now is that you'll be expected to exceed yourself. Cursed success...

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

Craig,
I just dont know what to say anymore!
Your stuff is just fantastic!

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Support the OLF! Bookmark our STEWMAC link Today!
Lance@LuthiersForum.com

What Lance said!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Thanks for sharring in this forum Craig else many of us would never have seen this.
Your artistry is unbelievable!!!!!

Peter

Craig, You're work always amazes me but this one is simply over the top! You might be a little careful. You may be approaching legend status. And congrats on getting to work with Martin.

Cheers,
Danny

And all the people said: "WOW, that is fantastic!"

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Steve Walden
Aspiring Builder,
Bartlesville, OK

Craig,
This one is right up there with the baby gator you did
as my favorites. Congrats!!

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Kudos and congratulations, Craig. Simply amazing and beautiful to see this.

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck

Besides being one of the top inlay artists out there, I've also found you to be the top inlay photographer! I've never seen anyone able to get pictures of shell to look consistently good as you have, is it a matter of '10,000 shots, keep the best one' or have you figured out the formula?

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

Hi again and thanks again, you guys are really great friends, clients, and peers. Seems this is how the acoustic industry works in general.

I erased the price off the tag to remain professional. It's out there in other forums if anyone is interested, I just didn't feel it was my place to deal with that end of things. If the tag looks weird compared to other photos you may see, that's why.

By the way, Thanks so much for the really generous comments, but Larry, Grit, and Chuck Erickson, and now likely Harvey Leach are legends. This is just my first at bat with a company this size. Guess maybe I am fairy tale level..

Heartfelt thanks,
Craig

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www.handcraftinlay.com