Ukulele Headstock Logos

[Neal Carey]

Here are a couple of inlays I've worked on for the tenor 'ukuleles I build.

[Randy Cordle]

Where?

[Neal Carey]

I tried before but it didn't upload. I think they were too large and I didn't notice the error message.

[Kevin Singleton]

Those are awesome! How do you cut the abalone with enough accuracy to create such detail? I wish I was that creative!

[Neal Carey]

Kevin, a couple of years back I was lucky enough to take 2 online inlay classes right here on the forum. It was a great experience and we learned a lot about creating nice inlays. It is not as hard as you might imagine. I'd recommend you start by reading Larry Robinson's book, "The Art of Inlay". As far as cutting it just comes down to practice. The right tools help and of course, always work safely with a mask and vacuum to avoid ever breathing any pearl dust. Very nasty stuff!! Doing inlay was actually what got me started building instruments

[Kevin Singleton]

Neal,

Thanks for responding. I've added the book to my wish list, and I'll check into doing some inlay work.

I really like your designs, and I appreciate you sharing.

[Neal Carey]

Thanks Kevin, appreciate your comments. I have others that I'll try to dig up and add here.

[Jon Whitney]

Nice inlays. My ukulele playing daughter would like that sea turtle one for sure. We made a banjo uke together last year with a sea turtle cutout in the back and the same design etched on the tailpiece.

[Neal Carey]

Thanks Jon. The Sea Turtle was the logo for a tenor uke my son and I built for one of his college friends as a graduation present. She, like him, was a Marine Biology major whose passion is for turtles. I think it was well received

[Neal Carey]

Thought I'd post the rest of the uke headstocks.

[Neal Carey]

and a couple more

[Neal Carey]

And last but not least . . .

[Neal Carey]

And here is the completed cigar box for that last post with the matching headstock.

[Steve Senseney]

Nice work!

Thanks for showing.

[Neal Carey]

Thanks Steve. I really love the inlay part of this hobby. I'm currently working on a couple of restoration projects that will both require new headstock inlays.

[Kevin Singleton]

Wow! Mucho awesomeness! Thanks for posting the pictures of your work!

[Michael Lewis]

Neal, you have a good sense of design. Do you have training in this area? Very nice.

[Neal Carey]

Neal, you have a good sense of design. Do you have training in this area? Very nice.

Thank you Michael. No training in design at all. I took (here on MIMF) the 2 inlay classes offered several years ago, and that certainly helped somewhat. I just kind of jump in and try things and so far it has worked pretty well for me.

[Jason Rodgers]

That's great stuff! I think it's funny you call them "logos," because they're all different. That, sir, is headstock art! The anti-logo.

[Neal Carey]

Jason, you're right!

Thanks for the compliment, perhaps I ought to start thinking of it as art. Never really thought of myself as an artist. Who'da thunk? One of these days I probably should create a logo. Thinking it will be the one labeled: Unsui in Japanese kanji above.