Official Luthiers Forum!

Just finished this one up for an Olf'er...
Lilly of the Valley for what I believe is going to be a special three guitar celebration set for 30 years of luthiery (correct me if I'm wrong Steve!).

The leaves are green sea snail each separate cut and placed at the fret lines to refract the same (it's only 1.5" long at best for a big piece so these long leaves needed to be "built" like a vine) the stem is gold pearl, the flowers all MOP.



Thanks for looking!

Craig L

http://www.handcraftinlay.com

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www.handcraftinlay.com

Awesome look!

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Francis Richer, Montréal
Les Guitares F&M Guitars

Really nice inlay!

When I grow up I want to be like Craig Lavin
Superb as usual.

Beautiful, Craig!

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

Hey Craig, your facts are correct bro.
This is the first of a three-part series to celebrate three decades of doing this. We selected the overall theme of Biblical flowers, or at least that field for a theme.
This first installment goes on a Celebes Ebony SJ with a Sinker Redwood top. Look closely at the pic, and you'll see Celebes Ebony used for the fretboard.
The purists in the bunch will object that this is probably not the "Lily of the Valley" mentioned in Song of Solomon, but I will hasten to point out that there is boucoups argument over just what species the Bible actually refers to.
SO--we went with what was immediately recognizable as a "Lily of the Valley", to go along with the reference from SS 2:1-2.

As far as doing business w/ Craig, let me just say it is a delight, and he is the real deal. He took several sketches we were kicking around, and came up with his own, which ended up being better than all the others. Then, to his chagrin, I sent the board already bound AND purfled. He had to inlay up against that little white line, without damaging it, and he pulled it off flawlessly. My hero!

Craig, I see that engraving on the flowers you added--perfect!

Thanks mucho,

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Craig, it's exquisite. I always stop to look at your new inlay posts and am never disappointed. This one is, as usual, simple with elegant detailing and masterful use of materials. Bravo!!!

Hi Guys and thanks,
That's funny Mike, when I grow up I want to be able to build guitars..

So Steve, what are the other two flowers? Or is it top secret?



Craig

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www.handcraftinlay.com

I'm not much for these kinds of inlay on instruments (too much of an old timer), but I have to say that this is lovely, tasteful, and beautifully executed.

First class work for a fist class client Craig, magnificent!!

And congratulations to you Steve, 30 years must represent a great many very happy customers whose Kinnaird guitars have become their pride and joy.

Cheers

Kim

Yeah...can you imagine what kind of guitars Craig would build?
How nice do you suppose they would be?!

Other two flowers... hmmm... the committee is still working as we speak, but I'm thinking one w/ a combo of Frankincense & Myrrh,
and another (since Colin so kindly sent some Almond) doing something like Aaron's rod that budded (it bore flowers and ripe almonds).
Try Googling that for an idea!

Thanks again guys,

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Holy moly! That is great. Very beautiful. Well done.

Lovely. Not a word I use often among the guys, but I think it fits.

Thanks for showing, Craig,

Pat

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

Kim, I really must respond to your kind words--thank you for the kudos. However, my client list is more along the numbers of those who enjoy their Bugattis, than those who enjoy their BMWs.
(I only wish my guitars could do 0-60 in 2.5 sec's, or top out at 253+ mph!)
I do hope that slim number is happy, though.

By the way, Google "Bugatti Veyron" sometime for an eye-opener.

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Hi guys,
I have to say thanks again. Thanks for the wonderful comments!
It's almost enough to make me do a vine.
(almost- but not really there yet...)

Craig

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www.handcraftinlay.com

So you are saying it back to the fish now

Hey Craig, couldn't you ease into vines by doing some seaweed?


Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

That's very elegant and lovely. Alluring and striking, but beautifully understated at the same time. I like it. A lot.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

You know, there are Biblical references to vines. Steve, this could be your chance to get Craig to do a vine

Just kidding Craig. Your work always amazes me. Really beautiful! Thanks for sharing.

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Dan

Or, perhaps a gourd? They're somewhat vine-like....

Or not....


Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Thanks again guys.

You know no one has ever asked me for a serious vine.
Is it that well known that I joke around about not doing them?

Based upon the reaction this flower got, I should maybe consider one..



Other then that, I do have some algae Steve with a special someone in it I would love to post here, but I can't get the file to upload.

Craig

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www.handcraftinlay.com

Craig, do you mean you can't get by the censor filters?

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

O.K. I think I got it this time.
Here is the algae Steve..
No vines yet, but can you spot who's hiding on this guitar back?

He's 7.5 inches long, pretty big.

Craig

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www.handcraftinlay.com

Amazing work. Truly inspiring

Craig, would that be some bizarre sea horse?

(That is amazing...)

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com