How to put ashes on a vintage instrument?

[BBWW]

Harvey Leach is a great west coast luthier and somewhat renown inlay artist often being commissioned by Martin guitars and others for their commemorative guitars. This sounds like a good match.

You can PM HarvL on the board here or check out the website @ http://leachguitars.com

Beautiful heartfelt idea.

[Nemoman]

Harv Leach does some fantastic inlay work, and he's located around the Grass Valley area....

[Tony Done]

Originally Posted by billder99

Some great ideas guys, thanks so much. The idea of using the ashes as filler with a binder (CA or epoxy) for the fret markers is a great idea. This could be done without really altering the look of the guitar, and would be under the fingers whenever the guitar is played, very symbolic.

Do any of you guys know an excellent inlay artist on the west coast who could take a guitar and make these changes?


For the instrument I want a real classic, though less aged than what is currently considered vintage... 20-30 years old. I am leaning to a Gibson J-45/50 or Guild F-50... very different instruments, just have to find the one that speaks to me.

I don't know where he is located, but I would go to Harvey Leach if I wanted the some of the absolute best in inlaying. I'm sure he could figure out a great design as well as a masterly execution. - Assuming he does outside work. I have no commercial interest, but I have been acquainted with Harv for a long time via the Internet.

[MJRB]

There are resins specially made for "potting" things such as insects and flowers, can't tell you the name of them but any shop that deals in fibre glass will have them.
I've made a few replacement and special order motorcycle badges with them.
MJRB