Designs for an MIMF headstock logo?

[Charlie Schultz]

It has been suggested that the instruments we've done (the two basses and the archtop in progress) are sorely lacking an MIMF logo. So if you've got any ideas for a design we can use, please post them here, thanks! I'll put up a $50 Stew-Mac gift certificate for the best one (as determined by the MIMF staff).

[Jonathan Conder]

Is there a deadline for submissions?

[Charlie Schultz]

Let's say September 23rd (Sunday midnight, server time).

[JC Whitney]

Ok, I'll bite. Had fun doodling this out in good old Autocad...

[Thomas Dooher]

I like the string concept above. I always thought MIMF would be a flowing script kind of thing...

[Charlie Schultz]

Contest ends this coming Sunday!

[JC Whitney]

It's a bit lonely around here thus far, I've got my fingers crossed for a flood of last minute submissions.

[Justin Figley]

Could I submit a logo sketched by my little brother if he makes one? He is the creative type, with a degree in graphic design.

[Charlie Schultz]

Yeah, as long as you help him a little.

[Bob Menzel]

I kind of like JC's design too, but think the 'strings' should extend to the F.

[Randy Roberts]

I kinda like it more every time I see it. Not too busy to tell what it says (unlike the GAL logo). But isn't that a little too much compensation at the saddle? <g>

[Michael Lewis]

Fanned fret. It's cool.

[JC Whitney]

Ha! But wouldn't the fanned fret version have to be in italics?

[JC Whitney]

Bob - here it is with the nut backed off to the F...

[JC Whitney]

Not having the strings run out to the F was a carryover from this earlier attempt:

[Rodger Knox]

Here's another idea...

[David Ackley]

I really like the version with the nut backed off to the F.

I'm having trouble seeing how these could be inlaid into a headstock though. If it is a decal that will be applied to a headstock, then this would be a nice choice, it would lay sideways along the headstock and be readable when the instrument is played.

The images presented so far would be very difficult to inlay, however, so if we are looking for a design that can be cut from pearl it would need to be simplified.
I've attached a straw-man version that I think would be cutable and fit into a small area at the top of a headstock. Just a starting point if inlay is the goal. (Oh, and these are from word to a photo editor, so not very elegant).

[Steven Wilson]

Looks nice Jc
I would agree that would be hard to inlay. Also remember it's not "Stringed Instrument Makers Forum". But I can't think of any thing better.
Good Job!
Steven

[Rodger Knox]

My design is simple to inlay, you could even use pearl strips precut for purfling. The problem is it's sort of a negative image, not everyone sees the MIMF immediately. It's pretty obvious in black and white, but with shell and wood, the eye is drawn to the shell and the image in the wood is less obvious.
I'm not sure whether that's a bad thing or a good thing for this application. That's a font I designed back in high school, I occaisonally use it for my name on the headstock.

Here's a bad example, the font doesn't work as well for KNOX as it does MIMF, the K and the X are a bit contrived.

[Bob Francis]

Bob - here it is with the nut backed off to the F...

MIMF Logo 2.jpg

Sweet!