MOP Traps Feeler

[Ole'Lefty]

You are a Master. Seeing that sample layout-I got to thinking. Notice the 3D effect when the numbers are on, instead of in the shield. How about this--the white shield, black pearl numbers, depth of cut for numbers about 3/4 or 7/8 the thickness of the numbers-leaving the numbers just proud. I think that the location on the headplate is guarded enough by tuners and design that the risk of chipping or breakage would be minimal. I'm no creative genius here, but the idea of two- three dimensional logos could really enhance many designs(I'm claiming trademark and common law patent for US(we). If I received them in pieces, I would very gently polish and ease the numeral edges. Imagine just how cool that would look!!!!Yes, patent, copyright, trademark and every other kind of protection for Tulsah and Tobey,3D Logo Wizards Int'l., LLC(tm) aka T & T 3D Logo Wizards Int'l., LLC(tm)

Going back to the original plan--the changes to make production easier are fine with me. The sign does not have to be a true replica-just representative of the real sign. So, do what is most practical for you. I'll have black pearl to send you in a few days. Thanks, Mike

[tulsah]

You know ... there's some real possibility here. Instead of cutting the numerals through the shield, I would simply pocket them to whatever depth it takes to keep the inset numerals proud. The other advantage of this would be that the oval in the body of the '"6" would not be separate from the rest of the shield.

The first trick though is to get the numerals to fit properly. Once that is done, then everything else should be simple. I'll let you know as this progresses.

-tulsah

[Ole'Lefty]

Tulsah-we could be millionaires here. BWAAAHHAHAHA(Dr. Evil) Thanks, O'L

[tulsah]

Hey O'L, I haven't forgotten about you, but I have had some other irons in the fire that needed to get finished up. I will be getting back to the fit of the numbers over the next couple of days. I will also be ordering some premium black pearl blanks tomorrow for this and other such work.

As for the work on the traps, I am also looking into a number of options on that front. The original set that I made last week were cut from material that is 0.054" thick. From what I have found, this is as thick as most other sets in MOP, and others have indicated that it should be sufficient. However, I am also considering cutting sets from premium 0.080" thick MOP. This would definitely insure that the inlay would remain sufficiently thick after sanding to the fretboard radius. It will likely be another week before I have a set of these for show.

As always, comments are appreciated. Thanks.

-tulsah

[Ole'Lefty]

No hurry on my end. On the last two trap boards I have done, I pre-radiused the pearl(.050-PSA on an old test fretboard) and then put binding tape(couple layers) on the bottom mounted template at the edges-I could somewhat "fake" a radiused cavity-it worked out well. I did a shallow cut to the full margins of the pearl-then added the tape which deepened the sides of the cavity-in each tape-on pass, I barely overlapped the centerline on each cut from the opposite side-ended up "radiused." This is on the pin router-cutter coming in from above the wood. One of the rare occasions lately where I actually felt a bit clever. O'L

[tulsah]

I made some great progress on the "Route 61" prototype today. The real trick here was to get the numbers '6' and '1' cut from mother of pearl and then fit into the shield logo without any gaps. Per Ole'Lefty's request, the goal was to have the shield in white MOP and the numbers in black MOP - to look as close as possible to the sign. I am still waiting on black MOP from my supplier, so all of the testing has been done strictly in white.

The process for this will involve cutting the shield in white - the numbers are discarded, but the oval center of the '6' is retained. The numbers are then cut from another piece of pearl and take only the slightest tap to fit into the shield. The same goes for fitting the oval center back into the '6'. As you can see from the photos, the fit is fantastic - better than the camera reveals. The two different pieces of white pearl do contrast well as they had different grains to them.

This is going to look awesome when it is done in two colors! Any comments? Thanks.

-tulsah

[SiriusAbbott]

Any comments?

holy crap!
that looks phenomenal

[MRJ]

Great work as always T.J.!

[pinefd]

Wow, that looks amazing, Tulsah!

Just curious...are you able to cut partial depth into the MOP instead of all the way through? So, in the case of the Rte. 61 sign, if you could cut the numbers half the depth (for example) and then fill it in with black epoxy and sand flush, it would look great. I'm just thinking that it could be potentially a lot easier than going the black MOP route (but definitely not as cool).


Frank

[tulsah]

Originally Posted by pinefd

Wow, that looks amazing, Tulsah!

Just curious...are you able to cut partial depth into the MOP instead of all the way through? So, in the case of the Rte. 61 sign, if you could cut the numbers half the depth (for example) and then fill it in with black epoxy and sand flush, it would look great. I'm just thinking that it could be potentially a lot easier than going the black MOP route (but definitely not as cool).


Frank

Frank,

You are correct - I can cut the numbers as a partial depth pocket and the cavity could be filled with epoxy. Without any doubt, this would be an easier method. Now that I have all of the clearances and compensations worked out, it really isn't too difficult anymore. What we see here is the result of the request from Ole'Lefty for a white shield with pearl numbers set in. If it does go forward to anything more, then I guess all options would be considered. In a sense, this was also a bit of a test from my end to see if I could get the numbers to fit properly. Thanks for the comment and observations.

-tulsah

[Ole'Lefty]

Frank-I think Tulsah can do anything. I am sure impressed. I have black pearl stock on the way to me as well. I think your idea would look good too-but if we can do the black and partially buried in the white shield-well, spectacular hardly covers it and Tulsah and I are claiming the 2D as trade dress for guitar logos-besides my trademark app. sent in for approval on the "HighWay 61" Guitars[tm].Like I said, we will be, oh well, thousandaires<G>. What a bright spot for me-ain't coughing blood no more(there is a blues song there) and a glorious logo-and, just in time, a trial starting tomorrow-nasty, but a challenge-I was hired as a specialist/consultant-details are terrible, but I have spent my life dealing with the worst man does to his fellow man. One must be detached-just like a surgeon. O'L

[tulsah]

Originally Posted by Ole'Lefty

Frank-I think Tulsah can do anything.

Not quite ... but thanks for the confidence and compliments! I should have a refreshed supply of material either tomorrow or Tuesday. Once it arrives, I was planning on cutting one more set of numbers from true black pearl. If your discerning eye accepts the result, then we can talk further as to how or if we move forward. It sounds like you'll have plenty to keep you occupied.

Also, as I had mentioned before, I am getting the thicker pearl stock in the new shipment. I was planning to cut a set of traps for general interest. Thanks again to all.

-tulsah

[tulsah]

Well, I did get my pearl stock today, and it looks great. My next step is to cut another complete Route 61 logo - white shield, black numbers.

I also received a supply of the heavy blanks (0.080") thick that I think will make for some incredible trapezoid inlays. The figure of this pearl is really great.

Anyway, first comes Route 61, and then I'll try a set of traps from the heavy stock.

-tulsah

[Ole'Lefty]

Sounds great. My black pearl came in today-if you need it, just email me address. And thank you for taking on this project. Ole'Lefty

PS-I am exhausted-full day of trial and immediately to the universtiy to teach a Criminal Justice class-another class first thing in the morning then back to courthouse. I love it, but I'm still tuckered out. O'L

[tulsah]

OK, so here is the final result of all of the test cuts and fits of the 'Route 61' logo. The first shot shows a fresh cut shield in 0.063" white MOP. The second shot is of the individual numbers in 0.063" black MOP. The other shots show the marriage of all four pieces - shield, numbers and center oval in the '6'. I can tell you that the camera picks up a lot more than the eye does, and does not always tell the truth. For example, where it may appear ragged around the edges of the numbers, it is not. The shots may also give the impression that there are gaps in the fit of the numbers and the shield. Again, there are not.

... project complete?

-tulsah

[tulsah]

I should also post as to progress on the original topic of this thread. I just finished cutting a set of traps in the highly figured 0.084" MOP. The photos just don't do justice to how nice they look. The extra thickness of this material ensures that they would not get too thin or sanded through. As before, they are cut to be exact fits to those on the Catto V10 drawing. As always, any comments are appreciated. Thanks.

-tulsah

[MRJ]

That looks great T.J.! People have to take into consideration that they are looking at an enlarged picture. Like you said the camera will show things that our eyes would never see. I can say, having the benefit of seeing your work in person that it is of the up most quality.

[inspectorted]

Those look nice! can't wait to get my set. These are going to look great with my rosewood.

[Ole'Lefty]

Tulsah-I am not surprised. I am however, stunned at the unique and elegant final result. I could not have asked for more. I am humbled by your committment to a challenge and your relentless pursuit. Thanks does not seem like enough. Please direct email me so we can work out my obligation to you and getting a few of these masterpieces to Iowa. Highest regards, Mike Tobey

[tulsah]

Originally Posted by Ole'Lefty

Tulsah-I am not surprised. I am however, stunned at the unique and elegant final result. I could not have asked for more. I am humbled by your committment to a challenge and your relentless pursuit. Thanks does not seem like enough. Please direct email me so we can work out my obligation to you and getting a few of these masterpieces to Iowa. Highest regards, Mike Tobey

Hi Mike ... email sent. Thanks.

-tulsah

[Ole'Lefty]

As all of you must assume, I am excitedly awaiting the arrival of my logos. I still wonder at the beauty of them. O'L

[decoy205]

This is really cool! Great work Tulsah!

[tulsah]

Thanks for the compliments. This one has been really fun to develop and produce. I only hope Ole'Lefty is as impressed when he receives the real deal!

-tulsah

[PoorMan]

TJ, those traps look really nice. Maybe I missed it, but have you set pricing?

[tulsah]

Originally Posted by PoorMan

TJ, those traps look really nice. Maybe I missed it, but have you set pricing?

Thanks Dave. PM Sent.

-tulsah

[inspectorted]

Originally Posted by tulsah

As for the work on the traps, I am also looking into a number of options on that front. The original set that I made last week were cut from material that is 0.054" thick. From what I have found, this is as thick as most other sets in MOP, and others have indicated that it should be sufficient. However, I am also considering cutting sets from premium 0.080" thick MOP. This would definitely insure that the inlay would remain sufficiently thick after sanding to the fretboard radius. It will likely be another week before I have a set of these for show.

As always, comments are appreciated. Thanks.

-tulsah

T.J. No problem with the .054" traps. I guess if they are thicker like .080" you would have more manual clean out to do. Your traps worked out well for me. Thanks

[tulsah]

Thanks for the update Ted. I am really looking forward to seeing that fretboard in its final form.

-tulsah

[PoorMan]

Payday tomorrow...Me wanty.

PM sent.

[tulsah]

Reply sent. I'll be making several sets of these over the weekend so that I have them on hand, as required. Thanks again.

-tulsah

Originally Posted by PoorMan

Payday tomorrow...Me wanty.

PM sent.

[Ole'Lefty]

I posted my wondrous pleasure with my logos in Raven's thread. The result is nothing short of spectacular. Thanks, T. Ole'Lefty