Pete Howlett
Well-known member
Pencil Cedar front self colour - this stuff just 'blushes' then goes the most fantastic vintage orange all by itself.
Since this is going to Utah I've got the necessary CITES permit for the Indian Rosewood back and sides. The mahogany neck is stained the 'old fashioned' way (furniture restoration technique) using green and brown transparent lacquer to get a 'Victorian' mahogany look. Adjustable height Gohtos with ivoroid buttons gives it a further classic look.
It took me some time to get everything right with this inlay which I have now scaled to fit concert and super-tenor size instruments. I've also figured out a way to speed up the machining process. It only takes an hour now to cut the pocket and 20 minutes to cut the vine, signature and lines... that's the good news. It takes an awful lot longer than it used to with my progressive limited motor function to actually get the pearl into a fingerboard and head plate. Oh and I have to remember to blow ALL of the pearl dust out of the slots before I soak the board in water because pearl dust and water = casting plaster...
I've said it all - this is a gratuitous shot....