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This is my first go at inlaying anything so complicated, and first time at engraving. There are lots of areas that I can see for improvement, but overall, I'm pretty pleased with how it's turned out.

Thanks for the inspiration from guys like Craig to stretch my skills.

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Allen R. McFarlen
Barron River Guitars & Ukuleles
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Cairns, Australia

Allen, Nice job!

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

Very nice job Allen!

Way to go Allen! That looks great!

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Hi Allen.
That's a really nice inlay, I'm really thrilled if anything I may have posted here made you try something you wouldn't normally have tried. Keep it up, it only gets easier!

(Then for some reason it gets really hard again.. I have no idea why

Craig L

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www.handcraftinlay.com

That looks really good Allen !

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

it looks like you did a really excellent job bro. it looks well balanced to my eye and although there is plenty of inlay, it doesnt look too busy. are you carrying the theme throughout the rest of the guitar? great job!

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sweat the small stuff.

what kind of flowers or tree is that by the way?

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sweat the small stuff.

Dang....

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Very pretty inlay Allen, and nicely executed!

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"

Allen, that looks awesome. Nice work!

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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

The flowers are suppose to be orchids. Gold MOP for the petals, and Pink Mussel for the center. Some Koa for the stems. It's going on a birdseye maple 000 with purple heart binding. I hadn't intended on doing any more inlay on the fret board other than some Pink Mussel fret dots.

I've cut a Minneritchi fret board for it, which has the same colors as the Koa stems, and has some purple hues that pick up the binding color. As well it ties is the browns and pinks of the birdseye maple. I'm not entirely sure if I'll go with this fret board though. I'm going to get the body ready for the neck, then do a rough assemble and stand back and have a look before the fret board gets glued to the neck.

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Allen R. McFarlen
Barron River Guitars & Ukuleles
Facebook
Cairns, Australia

Wow...if I knew I could pull off something like that first time, I would attempt it.

Great job!

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Brad Tucker

Beautiful work, Allen!

Thanks everyone.

I found one of the most difficult parts of the inlay, was to come up with a design and layout that was something I felt I could cut and fit together, while still looking interesting. Honestly, that took more time than the actual inlay and engraving.

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Allen R. McFarlen
Barron River Guitars & Ukuleles
Facebook
Cairns, Australia

Yup Allen, what Steve said.....!

Shane

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Canada

Beautiful work!!!

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www.ziegenfussguitars.com

I would say that looks pretty darn good !!!! Well done.

can I ask why you have the truss rod protruding out so far (when doing headstock adjustables, I like to get the end of the hex section just past the nut if possible - I also grind the hex adjustment key so that its a short as possible but still fits fully into the rod - it likely needs only about 1/4-5/16s - then you can really shorten up the slot length) ??? And you will need to make an awfully long and skinny cover for the slot ....

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Well, Tony, It's one of Allied's short truss rods, and the other end is right at the end of my tenon, so this is where the adjustable end lands up. The truss rod cover is indeed long and slender. It fits into the slot and held in place with a rare earth magnet. It doesn't overlap the head stock veneer. I've made it out of ebony as well, so I'm trying to make it blend in as well as I can.

It's only my second go at a head stock adjustable truss rod, so there are some things I'm going to need to work out for future builds. Thanks for the tips.

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Allen R. McFarlen
Barron River Guitars & Ukuleles
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Cairns, Australia

Nice job Allan! Even for a first shot!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Looks great from Powell River Allen! You'll have to show us the finished product. I like your headstock shape also.

Cheers,
Danny

...ummm, me too!

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Dave
Milton, ON

Yes Dave, your head stock was the inspiration. I think it's a beautiful design.

This is the body it's going on.

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Allen R. McFarlen
Barron River Guitars & Ukuleles
Facebook
Cairns, Australia