Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi folks,

I'm just about to box up another guitar, and i always write something inside somewhere. A signature at least. Sometimes something about the guitar itself. Sometimes a poem. Sometimes a joke for someone sticking a mirror inside, or for a fellow guitar maker to read.
Little Killroy's, or peek-a-boo messages, and always a date. I've even named a few.

In my latest I wrote on the end block: "I knew someone, someday would read this, and if that person is you, Hello!"

I'm really interested to know what other people write on the inside of their guitars?
What's on the inside of yours?

Cheers,
Claire

Hey Claire,

Just closed this yesterday:



Will usually write whatever seems appropriate.

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

If you can read this you're too close.

Mostly I sign my name but I wrote a note to one of my kids in the guitar I made when he was born. On my personal guitar it says, "If the name of the person who brought this guitar in for repairs does not match the name on the headstock, this guitar has been stolen. Call the cops!"
Of course, the guitar should not be going to anyone for repairs since I should be doing them, but I thought it was a funny thing to write.

_________________
http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

I sign it, and date it,
right under the sound
hole, on the back,
so you can see it without a mirror,
if I remember to.

What if I write "If you can read this, you have either done something very wrong, or are fixing what the owner just did.

What is the bridge plate material on that one that says "I will sing unto the lord..."? It looks like padauk or bloodwood.

_________________
Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

Yup, it is Padauk. We use it all the time for bridge plates.

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Do you use scraps from back and sides? And what kind of tone does it give?

Name, date and #. Under the top just behind the lower harmonic bar between it and the angled treble bar.

Name, Date, Top/Back Materrials, Number.

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

_________________
-Marcus
http://www.bailieguitars.com
Instagram | YouTube

My tag (on the back) has the top & b/s woods, year it was made, and the guitar's number. On the bridge plate (usually mape) I write the date the top was put on reversed so it can be read with a mirror and I sign it. I also sign the tag.

_________________
ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
&
http://ensorguitars.com

Date and signature.

Chuck

_________________
_________________

I do little acrylic paintings rather than paper labels. Signature, year, serial number, name of the guitar, and a picture representing the name. Although hopefully I'll eventually make enough that I run out of ideas for inlay themes, and have to either start doing rehashes of old ideas, or figure out what else to do in there

My current harp ukulele has an easter egg of a tiny marmoset visible through the harp arm soundhole, which is small and thus takes some effort to get enough light in there to notice it

I stamp the serial number onto the back reinforcement and that's it.

_________________
Burton
http://www.legeytinstruments.com
Brookline, MA.

How about getting subversive and writing an insult or dirty secret about the person you build it for

I use a vlnmakers last name bridge stamp sometimes on the braces, My favorite label has a red poinsettia, with my name , signature , date , location. Dennis like the acrylic painting vy cool,Can I borrow your idea? I like to draw various trees/ fruits/flowers in coloured pencil.

"Too bad you're a communist" was written on the inside of Joan Baez' O-45 guitar - probably from when it was repaired in the 60s. The Martin replica has reproduced that as well......

If I could paint like that, I'd do it too!! Really cool.

I usually write "To God be the Glory", sign it and date it. J.S. Back wrote something very similar, but in Latin, on his music. Actually, just the initials - SGD, standing for "Sol Gloria Deo".

"How about getting subversive and writing an insult or dirty secret about the person you build it for"

Usually clients only reveal their true selves <after> a guitar is finished..............and too late for you to pen an appropriate epithet into their guitar.

Sometime it's a glowing "thank you!" for their friendship and support.

Sometimes NOT.

Very nice Steve. Also like your bracing. Double X?

_________________
Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

Thanks Joe! And yes, that's a double "X".
And in fear of hijacking the thread further, I'll also report that no, we don't rip up good back and side wood to get our plates.
Just cut up some spare lumber; and love what Padauk does for the sound.

Steve

_________________
From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Go for it (and that goes for anyone else too)
That particular painting was pretty tricky due to the size. Usually a toothpick is the smallest tool I get to, but that one took a needle to do the eyes.

ACME corp.

_________________
member of the guild of professional dilettantes