the name game

[arbarnhart]

Assuming I actually get some finished instruments of an adequate quality to resell, I need to think about a name and peghead inlay. I know the simplest thing might be to use my name. I initial things a lot, so over the years I developed a habit of signing my two initials in manner that looks sort of like a logo. That's idea #1. Idea #2 is "Dark Horse". I did a search and found no mandolins called Dark Horse, though I found a few bands and a music studio. If I did that, I would probably only put the name on the label and just have a partial silouhette (not sure what you call that technique where there are only enough lines to hint at what it is but your brain fills it in) in white against a dark background. It's idea #2 because it could require more legal legwork and that little piece of art could be a pain to get right. Yet for some reason I find it more appealing.

Thoughts?

[otterly2k]

On the other hand, a name that has an accompanying graphic concept that becomes recognizable on it's own is a good thing. A pain to get right, but once it's right, it stands on its own. Look at the Phoenix headstock....unique, recognizable, no need for a person's name or initials.

[sunburst]

When I built my first mandolin, it was for one of my pickin' buddies. I had a "no name" banjo that I had built for myself, and he wanted me to build him a mandolin. One of the conditions he specified was my name in the peghead, so from then on, my instruments have been "Hamlett" instruments.
When I decided (that's not really what happened, it's more like it was decided for me somehow) to "go pro", I felt like I would rather have some other name for my instruments, but there were already some out there sporting "Hamlett" on the peghead, so I stayed with that.
Perhaps it comes under the "familiarity breeds contempt" heading, but I always felt like Hamlett wasn't a very good instrument name, and that something that rolls off the tongue would be better, but others tell me that it's a fine sounding name.

Ultimately, the name isn't all that important; it's the instrument that matters. After all, I wouldn't want to name my instruments "Dudenbostel" if that was my name. Too much pearl to cut, too hard to fit on a peghead...shows what I know, huh? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Personally, I'm not crazy about "Dark Horse" for a name, but that's just my opinion.
What do your initials look like? The design element of the logo is something to consider. I like the general idea of the silouhette logo, and that can make for an interesting inlay that's relatively easy.

Just sharing my thoughts here. I understand about the considerations involved in choosing a name, and I think you are correct to not be hasty in your decision.

[arbarnhart]

Done with a mouse, it isn't as round and flowing. I don't think it is all that fabulous, but if I used a marker and tried a couple of dozen times I would probably come up with one that isn't all that bad.

http://home.nc.rr.com/abhobby/images/initials.JPG

I will probably try it on that travel instrument prototype on the fingerboard past the last fret to see what it looks like. I will use my quick and dirty fake pearl (ultra fine pearlescent glitter and epoxy slurry) in a Dremel carved channel.

[sunburst]

Unless you're much better with a Dremel than I am, It'll look much better if you saw it out of pearl. You can clean up the edges of the pearl with files and such, while the routed cavity will have slight irregularities that will show up with the slurry method.

[MikeB]

Hamlett

There is a fine name for a mandolin. #Easy to read and pronounce correctly; short--two syllables (like several other well-known instrument makers)--and American sounding, at least to me. #I thought it was simply elegant the first time I saw one on your headstock, John. #

Off topic, I guess, but thought I'd throw that in. # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[WireBoy]

Dark Horse instantly brings to my mind the record company founded by Geroge Harrison. It might be confusing to customers that dear departed George is somehow now makin' mandos.

[arbarnhart]

I use a router base on my Dremel, 4X lighted magnifier and a fine carbon bit. I make cuts in overlapping short segments rather than trying to follow a pattern too far in one motion. I have a pointed carbon scraper for cleanup. I can make a pretty decent trough following a pattern.

Then there is the other half of the reasoning. One of my favorite exchanges in Shrek goes something like this - "You didn't slay the dragon?" "It's on my to do list!"
I haven't worked with pearl yet and I don't have any on hand yet.

[glauber]

http://home.nc.rr.com/abhobby/images/initials.JPG
Not bad; it looks a little like the ubiquitous (sp?) "@" sign, so important these days.

[arbarnhart]

I did see Harrison's name pop up in the search. My intent is not to confuse so much as to differentiate. A dark horse is an underdog, but it often also implies a non conventional approach. The dark horse in a political race is usually a candidate that isn't mainstream but has a following because the ideas make sense. What I plan to build is inspired more by a couple of modern builders in New England than by the early F5s. I guess that will make me somewhat of a "me too" builder but following a smaller crowd.

[PaulD]

I think your logo has potential too. No financial interest here, but if you're looking for something that you'll probably live with for a long time it might not hurt to solicit ideas from a graphic artist. I don't mind Dark Horse, but George Harrison is what came to mind when I first read that too.

John; I agree with MikeB that your last name is a good choice for a peghead inlay and I kind of like the idea of having the builder's name on the instrument.

I've used a stylized pd on my woodwork... I like the symmetry. I also have a logo that I've used on business cards that is kind of a Pisces/Yin-Yang thing... again, I liked the symmetry. I can get away with signing just my last name because Doubek is not that common and it's easier to read than Dudenbostel (although I wish I had Lynn's talent!).

[Bill Snyder]

post

[glauber]

A little more rounded, maybe?

[sunburst]

Here's photoshop pearl, done with a mouse. I don't think I would be able to keep it from looking too much like @ .

[Antlurz]

....a few more. They can be "bent" more.

[delsbrother]

Mandolin, mandolin bo-bandolin
Banana-fana fo-Fandolin®
Fee-fy-mo-mandolin
Mandolin! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[glauber]

Here's photoshop pearl, done with a mouse. I don't think I would be able to keep it from looking too much like @ .
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/uploads/post-7-55612-AB.jpg
my favourite, so far (not that it matters!) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
As i said, i think it's cool that it looks like "@".

[sunburst]

BTW, I don't like to drill holes in pearl and thread jewelers saw blades through them, so the first thing I would change on my quickie idea would be this:

[Bill Snyder]

How about

[Antlurz]

That one will be hard to top. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif It's very similar to what came to my mind as well, but he seemed to want a loop around the entire affair.

Ron

[arbarnhart]

Wow - you guys are great. I think Bill wins. I did have a hang up about using the outer loop until I saw that. The only reason I am not sure is that I think I may have seen that before. But it is just my initials with some font munging.

If I finish it properly I will award you with a JPG and MP3 file so you can see and hear it. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Thanks - I mean it!

[ab4usa]

Grest! Just when my MAS is in remission, someone has to start building mandolins with my initials on it. Great, just great!

[JEStanek]

I really like Bill Snyders a couple up! The AB looked cool that way. At first those yen yang catfish looked more like Win and Wang!

These are more fun than the Eastman. #Nobody is saying they won't buy your mandos b/c of a logo! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

Jamie

[recklessmando]

Someone needs to design a logo that looks like a piece of electrical tape. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Bill Snyder]

Where should I send the bill for the design fees? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
It is just the font CAC Saxon Bold. It is the lower case a and its mirror image doctored up a bit to become a "b".
I have thought about putting my initials on an instrument but how many of you want to play a "BS"? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[PhilGE]

Here's my offering. Uses Matura MT Script. Runs the B into the A after some slight modifications.

-Phil

[mandoman15]

hers my interpretation
i would appreciate if someone could actually post the picture http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[ShaneJ]

Here you go. You can't upload .bmp files. You have to save it as a .jpeg. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[mandoman15]

thanks possum... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[JEStanek]

Bill Snyder. Everytime I pick around someone I feel like I'm BS-ing them.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Jamie