Turtle Inlay @ 12th fret only, no other inlay.

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I think an abalone turtle inlay on the 12 fret only would be cool, no other inlay but that!
I'd totally go for that, loud & proud.

Just a tidbit of culture here:  Many Native people refer to North America as "Turtle Island", I think it would not only be a cool way of putting the "W" identity out there, but culturally affirming as well. 

I think a decent design, and simple for production would be to just cut the perimeter shape, not all the interior sections, ala Gecko.

My fave is the tribal turtle, but these are just examples I found online.

Maybe tilt it up so the body is centered vertically on the 12th fret, with the feet & hands overhanging the 11th & 13th fret area's ever so slightly.

 

[mayfly]

I love the first one!

 

[Nando Vallart]

I like the 2nd!

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

let the mockups begin...
post your clip art, and perhaps artist renditions of what'cha got, but just on the 12th fret, gotta keep it simple.

I'm not a photo shop person, otherwise I would have colored in the interior solid, considering the idea is that you route out one solid area and drop the 1 piece inlay in, again, ala Gecko bass.  In abalone, this would really pop, and since every piece of abalone looks different, it makes it even more unique.

Considering the availability of abalone stock large enough and stable enough for this type of process as abalone can be very brittle, not to mention the time to setup & CNC multiple blanks stock, and fine fitting, I could see this being an exception to the standard $30 upcharge for custom inlay.

I could see a $45 upcharge for this being totally appropriate, even with the absence of any other inlay on the neck but the turtle at the 12th fret.

 

[greywolf]

#1 and #2 are cool

this one is also nice: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Turtle-Headstock-Inlay-Paua-Abalone-Guitar-PH61-/180654876821

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

It is nice indeed, but you can see that it is multiple little octagon pieces fitted together, which would increase labor and then the production cost.

Take a blank piece of Abalone, just large enough to fullfill production, and CNC carve only the perimeter, and then fit it into the routed fingerboard.

That's the idea at least.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

Hey Tony, that would be really cool. This as a 12th fret inlay would be awesome. It's simple and clean looking. Flip the colors, white onto a dark board.

 

[mayfly]

Hey Tony, that would be really cool. This as a 12th fret inlay would be awesome. It's simple and clean looking.

I'll say it again - this is the best one. 

However

Because of copyright restrictions a unique design would have to be created.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Hey Tony, that would be really cool. This as a 12th fret inlay would be awesome. It's simple and clean looking.

Because of copyright restrictions a unique design would have to be created.

Yes, but it's a start.  Who gonna draw up a mockup on a neck?  I can't do it, don't have the skills or the resources as far as on the computer goes.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Filled in.

Now it needs to be tilted so it's vertical, then placed on a neck.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

I like it better not filled in.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I like it better not filled in.

That would make multiple pieces of Abalone, which would drive up labor and production cost.

We're hoping to make this simple by cutting a 1 piece inlay out of a billet of abalone just barely big enough to fullfill production.

Even though this is a cool looking turtle, maybe it's not the best option to fullfill the above objective.  Maybe one with more rounded edges would suffice.  Let's see the mockups!

 

[Nando Vallart]

I think the 2nd can be made in one piece (perhaps even wood, like the Gecko) and would still looks like a turtle, that first one isn't really looking like a turtle IMHO

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I think the 2nd can be made in one piece (perhaps even wood, like the Gecko) and would still looks like a turtle, that first one isn't really looking like a turtle IMHO

Now were on to something.

Abalone would be ideal & saaaawwwwweeett looking, but...

Ebony on Maple?
Flame on Ebony?



HHHHmmmm

 

[DangerousR6]

:icon_biggrin:

 

[Rickgrxbass]

:icon_biggrin:

That's actually pretty snazzy. Although if they do that, it wouldn't be that big of a stretch to shrink it down further and make turtle "dot" inlays...

 

[thebutcher85]

oh heck yes on this suggestion! some type of turtle at the 12th fret would be awesome.

 

[Death by Uberschall]

:icon_biggrin:

Angle the turtle 45 degrees and you got a winner.  :icon_thumright:

 

[DangerousR6]

:icon_biggrin:

Angle the turtle 45 degrees and you got a winner.  :icon_thumright:

you angle it...it was hard enough just to do that... :icon_biggrin:

 

[Death by Uberschall]

:icon_biggrin:

Angle the turtle 45 degrees and you got a winner.  :icon_thumright:

you angle it...it was hard enough just to do that... :icon_biggrin:

Sorry, no photo shop skillz here, only playing skillz,..................  :icon_jokercolor: