Cat headstock inlays?

[Bob Clark]

I have a new custom build on order, which I will describe in a different thread as I move up the wait list a bit. I am now thinking about a nice headstock inlay.

I am specifically thinking about having a cat or cat-themed inlay. I have seen many beautiful inlays displayed here on the Cafe, but don't recall seeing a cat. I would appreciate photos of any you may have, or any suggestions you might offer.

Best wishes,

Bob

[Al Trujillo]

Google is your friend....

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/01...g?v=1448084182

Not a cat...but pretty sweet looking-

http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/...hU8A71gREac%3D

[Bob Clark]

Thanks, Al, I appreciate the suggestion, but it's not quite what I am looking for. I'd like to see a headstock inlay that is a cat or kitten. I might use cat paw prints as fretboard markers, and I did find inlays of those. It is the headstock inlay that seems to be the challenge. I can draw one up on my own, or use some other online resources, but it would be nice to see what others have done on headstocks.

This can't possibly be a first, can it? It seems as if there are a number if us mandolin people who are also dedicated cat people!

[Bertram Henze]

Does it have to be a whole cat? Something like this well-known logo might do.

[StuartE]

Just do a web search for "cat guitar inlay" and you'll find quite a few. You'll need to wade through some unrelated images, but plenty will turn up.

[EdHanrahan]

Well... Your cat-photo avatar reminds me of the headstock inlay used by Froggy Bottom guitars.

Unfortunately, their website doesn't yield a clear close-up photo. Here's the best I could find quickly...

[allenhopkins]

Or, go on a website like Etsy, buy a piece of MOP cat jewelry, get your luthier to inlay it into the headstock.

I had an MOP "A" that my luthier put on the headstock of the 5-course I had built for me.

[William Smith]

I think it would be real Kool, my little girl loves her soft kitty "Chesire Cat stuffed animal" and I have 2 little chesire cat face stickers on my tailpiece cover but I sure would love a nice pearl with etching inlay of "soft kitty" in a headstock! I may do if I can find my wide bodied 30's A I've been looking for to redo!

[sblock]

As for me, I'd go with a Dawg all the way!

[Bill Snyder]

This one is a truss rod cover but it would be a good inlay.

Here is one on a uke headstock.

[MikeEdgerton]

Contact Dave Nichols at www.custompearlinlay.com and ask him what he can do. I've seen tigers and other animals he has cut and inlaid.

[Bob Clark]

Thanks for all the help. I did try Google first and found lots of 'stuff', but not what I was looking for.

Bertram, a cat-suggestive inlay,rather than a more literal representation would work fine. I did find a few tattoos that could be adapted.

Ed, I laughed out loud about your notion that Robyn looks like the Froggy Bottom logo! I am still chuckling about it. You have a good eye. Robyn is actually a really cool guy who is as mandolin-obsessed as many us Cafe denizens. He loves to listen to me play! He also constantly purrs. Great companion.

Allen, the MOP jewelry is a good idea. I will have a look.

Bluegrasser78, I hope you find the 30's A you are looking for. I'd love to see what you'd do with it. If you get it, please post photos!

SBlock, you know how it is. . .some of us are cat people, others are Dawg people, then there are the fortunate ones who are both. I am clearly in the cat crowd.

Bill, you really have a winner there. I like both examples, but the inlay on the uke is directly along the lines of what I am looking for. I really like that one. Beautiful, simply beautiful.

Mike, custompearlinlay.com is a good suggestion. It is actually their fret marker inlays I saw and may end up using.

So, let's see what else the great folks here on the cafe come up with. Thus far, I am inclined to use a cat something like the one on Bill's uke, but perhaps in a slightly different position, with a little sliver of a moon over head. I really am taken by that one. Thanks for all your help. I'll keep you posted on what I decide. Nearer the beginning of the build, I'll start a thread on the progress. This is the first custom build I have had done, although I have a couple of custom mandolin family instruments in my tiny collection. It is really very exciting.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Hi Bob - I agree,cats really are wonderful companions & recent research has discovered that they are far more intelligent than we ever thought & can have a memory span of at least 10 years. Me & my wife would be lost without our 2 cats,& our eldest cat,Russell, is my constant companion. He's lying on the rug next to my chair even as i type,
Ivan
Look here :- http://www.iconarchive.com/search?q=cats

[MikeEdgerton]

Bob, driving up to Malone, NY to visit Dave Nichols is a journey that shouldn't be missed.

[JEStanek]

My Jack Spira built flat top his his standard S in the headstock but we used native Aussie timbers to make a cat eye shaped rosette and I have a cat on the fingerboard. My wife is a vet and we both like cats.




Jamie