laser engraving a guitar

Here you can post stuff that is not related to Christopher Ward
User avatar
gwells
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 7642
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2012 4:02 am
CW-watches: 1
Location: falls church, va

laser engraving a guitar

Post by gwells »

i posted a couple of years ago when i purchased a laser cutter. over the past year, i started working with a friend of mine ho has begun building guitars as a side gig. we've been working on it together and making laser engraved guitars (this is #10). and the most recent one we did is the one i'm most proud of. this is a 3D laser engrave of a paisley pattern.

Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
Image
These users thanked the author gwells for the post (total 4):
cwaStifasqwerthkiter65
the "g" is for Greg...
User avatar
jkbarnes
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 7852
Joined: Wed May 24, 2017 8:39 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Virginia, USA

Re: laser engraving a guitar

Post by jkbarnes »

That is FANTASTIC! And a Tele is the perfect platform for that decoration. I can picture Buck Owens playing this in an equally flamboyant country-western suit!

Thanks for sharing.

Edited to add: Are the saddles engraved?! Wow! What kind of pickups is that loaded with?
These users thanked the author jkbarnes for the post:
gwells
Drew
User avatar
gwells
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 7642
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2012 4:02 am
CW-watches: 1
Location: falls church, va

Re: laser engraving a guitar

Post by gwells »

thanks! control plate and bridge were bought that way. although i have done some custom control plates in wood and acrylic with this and similar patterns.

and yeah, the flat surface of the tele is perfect. we did do a les paul jr and another shape as ell. all body/neck kits Chris buys to start with.

i'd have to ask Chris which pickups he put in this one. it varies.
the "g" is for Greg...
User avatar
missF
CW Forum Poet Laureate
CW Forum Poet Laureate
Posts: 11866
Joined: Thu Mar 06, 2014 2:59 pm
CW-watches: 3
Location: Edinburgh

Re: laser engraving a guitar

Post by missF »

Incredible craftsmanship! This is amazing. I’d love to see as many more pics as you can find the time to post! :thumbup:
watching you fail in your quest for a “one watch” has been great entertainment
Watchaholic

‘Imprudently spendy’
Thomcat00
User avatar
scooter
Trusted Seller
Trusted Seller
Posts: 15249
Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2010 7:14 pm
CW-watches: 1
LE-two: yes
LE-foura: yes
Location: UK

Re: laser engraving a guitar

Post by scooter »

You should both be very proud Greg.

It's a work of art.

scooter
#1 scooter blue 2012 FLE (50 made)
User avatar
H0rati0
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 2314
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2018 7:49 am
CW-watches: 4
Location: Alpenvorland

Re: laser engraving a guitar

Post by H0rati0 »

Great idea for personalisation and beautifully executed. Thanks for sharing that!
"There is no beginning to enlightenment and no end to training" - Dogen Zenji (1200-1253)
User avatar
rkovars
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3258
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2020 7:56 pm
CW-watches: 5
Location: New England, US

Re: laser engraving a guitar

Post by rkovars »

That is very sharp looking. Well done! :thumbup:

Some pics of the older attempts would be really cool so that we could watch the progression. I am always fascinated by process!
Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well.
Jack London
User avatar
gwells
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 7642
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2012 4:02 am
CW-watches: 1
Location: falls church, va

Re: laser engraving a guitar

Post by gwells »

not really "progress" per se. earlier guitars were just different style. the paisley stands alone.

the first guitar was for a mezcal brand i helped start a few years ago called "Maximo." it was given to the guy who got me into it, also previously the drummer in a band with me and the guy who does the builds. this was the original use of the paisley pattern, on the pickguard.

Image

Image

others were a mix of spec builds we sold and commissions. all the booze ones were commissions.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

mermaid isn't quite done yet.
Image
the "g" is for Greg...
User avatar
Kip
The Administrator
The Administrator
Posts: 35173
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2007 8:45 pm
CW-watches: 150
LE-one: yes
LE-two: yes
LE-three: yes
LE-foura: yes
LE-fourb: yes
LE-five: yes
LE-six: yes
LESeven: yes
Location: New Hampshire, USA

Re: laser engraving a guitar

Post by Kip »

This is some fantastic work Greg.

Now can you transfer these skills to watch cases?
Kip

"Asylum Administrator"


Visit the CWArchives for everything CW. Historical, specs, manuals and resale. It is all there.
User avatar
gwells
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 7642
Joined: Mon Feb 13, 2012 4:02 am
CW-watches: 1
Location: falls church, va

Re: laser engraving a guitar

Post by gwells »

Unfortunately not. A CO2 laser won’t engrave on metal. I can engrave leather and silicone though. So a watch strap is doable.

this is my wifes apple watch band.

Image
Image
Image
These users thanked the author gwells for the post:
cwa
the "g" is for Greg...
User avatar
rkovars
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 3258
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2020 7:56 pm
CW-watches: 5
Location: New England, US

Re: laser engraving a guitar

Post by rkovars »

That strap is cool! I can see the progression even in the spec pieces you posted. Thanks for that. That mermaid one is going to be killer!
Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but sometimes, playing a poor hand well.
Jack London
Les47
Senior
Senior
Posts: 81
Joined: Sun May 14, 2017 9:07 am
CW-watches: 7
Location: England

Re: laser engraving a guitar

Post by Les47 »

They all look incredible a lot of work I’m sure great job
cwa
Senior
Senior
Posts: 83
Joined: Thu Nov 18, 2021 2:36 am

Re: laser engraving a guitar

Post by cwa »

This is amazing!
thomcat00
Senior Forumgod
Senior Forumgod
Posts: 1693
Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2021 9:14 am
CW-watches: 15
Location: FLX, NY, USA

Re: laser engraving a guitar

Post by thomcat00 »

Wow, I missed this post previously. That is some very cool work, and what an interesting idea.
with Kung Fu grip, and life-like hair
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post