Official Luthiers Forum!

I know that Don. I have not taken any thing said, any other way than well intentioned. It is just ...The Logo ain't going no where

Stubborn little fart arnt I

(I kind of like it with the logo..... ) #3 my top pick.

Why not?! You gotta do what you feel is best for you. I would too.

_________________
"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

[QUOTE=MichaelP]

Just for curiosity sake; How many of you that have a registered logo or even unregistered logos that normally is inlaid on your peghead have left it of of a commissioned instrument for what ever reason?

[/QUOTE]

Michael, you seem to have made up your mind on this issue, but are willing to entertain differing opinions, so here's an answer to the above question:
I have left off my logo on three occasions--

1) A classical peghead, where the bookmatched African blackwood headplate needed no other adornment, and the classical aesthetic dictated against a pearl logo

2) My Buffalo Bill guitar, where the logo would have detracted from the rather large (and beautifully executed) rendition of BB, by our own Mr. Lavin

3) This recent Tiger Myrtle guitar, where the peghead overlay was so outrageous; and as was pointed out, right where the logo usually goes, there is the outline of Tasmania. On this recent guitar, I did like you, I agonized over whether--or not--to inlay my logo on the head. I decided rather to inlay a smaller version at the 12th fret, and let that be the only decoration on the fretboard.

I have this flexibility because my logo is also on my label. So as long as that stays put inside the guitar, I'm ok with whatever happens on the peghead.

If an inlay composition would look cluttered with your logo added, you could always consider having a smaller logo, designed just for tight spots (heel cap, 12th fret, etc). And hey--make this an addition to your rule?

.02 for ya,

Steve

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

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Hi Steve

There are a lot of things going through my head on the logo and an inlay combo issue. One is i am invested in this logo in both the logo and fixturing to install them. I like my logo. While my logo is on my label as well as my case. It is not the client that owns the instrument you reach with your logo. It is the other musicians he or she are playing with. The audience that are watching that you reach with a peghead logo.

Close your eyes and say the word Gibson. I am willing to bet the first image you mind conjures up is a mustache peghead with the Gibson logo at that 5deg angle across it.

I don't have any where national name recognition as does Olson.
This inlay is not as dramatic as The Buffalo Bill nor inlaid by Craig or ever have the national exposure That Buffalo Bill has. (I still cant believe some of the people I call by first name around here ) All of your reasons and examples are good justifications.

I guess my point is I am still just beginning to get my name out past Ector county more less nationally or the world. At this point I am not about to not take advantage of one of the first things every prospective guitar consumer sees and remembers at this time.

My two cents...for what it's worth... Currently, I'm more of a buyer than a
builder, (hoping to change this!!), and I agree with MichaelP. While I like
#3 best, he hit the preverbial nail on the head when he says:

" Close your eyes and say the word Gibson. I am willing to bet the first
image you mind conjures up is a mustache peghead with the Gibson logo
at that 5deg angle across it"

I think you should stick with what you already have out there, it's the
headstock shape that I've always most associated with a particular brand.
When I think Gibson, I think of the shape, not "Gibson" written across it.
Think of Fender for example...who can't id a Strat or a Tele from the
headstock?

I guess I could argue both sides, and in the end, this is just food for
thought from a true beginner.

Jamie

Michael, I hear you, for sure. I like your logo, too. And far be it from me to wish you anything other than the national exposure you deserve!
My thinking, though... aw, heck, let me tell you how I feel about my own headstocks:
I want them--first of all--to be artistically sound, even before they are recognizable. (Does that make sense?) In other words, I want them to stand on their own, before they start advertising. To me, even though I want recognition (as do you), I want the design to be elegant, tasteful, appropriate. If that calls for restraint, and people have to ask, "Who built that?", I'm willing to take that risk. I'd rather them appreciate the restraint than know my name. If they approve of the design, they'll approve of the builder. When (and granted, IF) they learn it's a Kinnaird West, I want their first impression to be one of admiration.

I'll counter your scenario w/ one of my own:

Close your eyes and picture a squared-off headstock.
It has in it a flowerpot inlay, gold Waverlies, and is bound in faux tortoise shell. Now who built that?

Ok, any number of builders/shops could have done so, right? Yet they're all willing to leave off the logo so as not to jeopardize a fine design. And the audience, as you might counter, could easily mistake the guitar's builder. But the design's the thing, and the most important thing in their thinking. Collings, et al, are willing to run the risk that everyone will think, "ah, there's another Martin". And really, they're banking on the thought that the guitar-buying public is pretty darn savvy.

I hope I don't sound contentious, for I certainly don't mean to be. As you know, I usually pull away from such conversations, but this one is sort of fun to think about. It embraces our design philosophies, and makes us think about just why we do what we do.
I greatly admire your willingness to kick around your design ideas on this public forum, and also ask for our input.

I'd better stop, as I've contributed far more now than 2 cents. Also, this caveat, as I've admitted before:
I can't design my way out of a paper bag. Don't waste too much time w/ my thoughts!    

Steve

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

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Michael, I appreciate everything considered above, but I will
respectfully disagree. #3 looks way to Gibby to me. If #2 is your headstock
design slightly inflated to accomodate the inlay I say go with that. This way
you get to maintain the "branding" associated with your standard design and
get to keep your logo. Besides, doesn't the old saying go, "Everythings
bigger in Texas"? Whaddya think Steve?

    I see no problem at all with the first! There's no problem with covering the flag a little, it gives the inlay more of a free wheeling feel. I like the shape of the thinner/non-Gibson peghead the most!

    I like your logo too! I'd just go with what you got! It is an aesthetic!

_________________
Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

Never any problem Steve. This is a sounding board. I figure I learn even if I do not implement

Well all this back and forth and I got home and rotated the veneer a littl to the right as I showed earlier and I have no problems. Monday I will show pics of the peghead

Yes, everything IS bigger in Texas...out of necessity.
Michael, if you prefer headstock #1, but are concerned about the pearl lying under the tuner bushing, then I say that's not an issue.
(Well, here we go again: it's not an issue to ME.)
I think what it says is that you have a guitar peghead that is a functional area...the tuner has to go HERE, and by gum, the pearl has to go THERE, so there you have it.
Someone said above, that it adds a certain flair.
Let me show you how I approached the tuner/inlay problem:






In other words, it's not a problem. The eye fills in the covered areas, and it adds to the art (my opinion).

We look forward to the finished product. I'm sure it will reflect your care and judgment.

SK

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

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com