TVvoodoo's Straplab

@DirtySteve ...Thank you!
I was working on six more Axe Warriors today, and for the first time in years I got to thinking... "What if I sent one of these to an offshore factory to see if they could produce them, and at what cost?" Then I shook myself out of dreamland.. I only ever wanted to keep myself employed with this venture. But these Axe warriors are kind of a pain to make, lots of small steps and details.
It's a real balancing act with the price.
 
@DirtySteve ...Thank you!
I was working on six more Axe Warriors today, and for the first time in years I got to thinking... "What if I sent one of these to an offshore factory to see if they could produce them, and at what cost?" Then I shook myself out of dreamland.. I only ever wanted to keep myself employed with this venture. But these Axe warriors are kind of a pain to make, lots of small steps and details.
It's a real balancing act with the price.

Just a thought... Maybe you could make a line that are more plain keeping them less time consuming to make and more affordable. If they look cool and sell they could make up for the loss on the more complicated time consuming stuff. Personally, I would actually prefer something like that.
 
@DirtySteve --- I do from time to the try to make things at a lower price point, I have a certain comfort level I try to live up to now, and this requires extra time. Just now I'm thinking a simple ernie ball type poly strap but with really good leather ends, and heavy ABS hardware perhaps 3" wide, at least 2.5 at minimum... maybe a ribbon on it. Is this what you are thinking? Or you thinking leather vinyl or cloth?

What would be the price point sweet spot for you?
 
Well, not necessarily that plain and simple, but kind of yeah. I really have no business suggesting anything since I can't play standing anymore and don't need a strap. I was just commenting on what you said because that was my first thought. I have a strap that I bought years ago that is like that EB strap, but with stripes and leather ends. It's super soft and pliable and very comfortable, but I can't remember the brand name and it's packed away somewhere at the moment and I don't know where or I'd go find it. I liked it so much I bought a second one that is just a different color and it's nowhere near as comfortable as the other one, it's stiff and the edges cut into my shoulder. I don't know what they're made of. The straps you posted on the previous page that look like canvas or something are cool, something like that, but simpler is what I was thinking of when I posted earlier.

As for price, I have no idea. I don't know what yours cost and it's been so long since I looked at straps I don't know what they cost and I don't remember what I payed for the straps I have, it's been 10 or 15 years probably.
 
My apologies if I'm going on too much here. When you're self employed, work from home and aren't punching the ole time clock what day of the week it is really doesn't matter much. Fridays come whenever they come, sometimes they come 2 or 3 times a week. :cheers:
 
Ok, well I don't really know how much love TTR has for the hipsters, but really they have some interesting style cues going on. The Well-Hung Cool Hunter corps have deemed I need to offer up a suitable modern swag item for the next little while. Enter the magnificence of the super-aloof, while still engaged, Well-Hung Hipster Beanie

Were you born to perform?

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It's the type of "cool" item even an old fracker like me can pull off, without looking the fool. Plus, comes in real handy for anyone with a desperate need to conceal up a bad, (or NO) hair day. Bear in mind this is not a touque. It's more like a head sock. You can wear it most days indoors, and not become a hot-head. Sewing logos on each by my ownself. Not real fun, but I wear one too, and... it's totally worth it! - Up until the new year, (maybe more) please note that one Well-Hung Hipster Beanie will be included with every full price Reverb store purchase. If you make an offer? NO SWAG FOR YOU!

Axe Warrior V1, black now in the Reverb store. Sold the last four in brown inside a couple of days, which is a record for me, I think. And, the black ones are slightly improved, still priced the same.

Desert Olive Cordura, military surplus from Down Under. Adjust approx 42"- 60", ultra-padded.

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Prime benefits: Comfort, trustiness, ease of adjustment, positionability, and, of course badass sexy.

Felt compelled to make a video to demo what they can do for a fella. Unfortunately, this strap is such a complete PITA to make,
I will have to limit how often I build them, so get 'em while they last.

Have a look:


Happy Hump Night my brothers, here's hopin' LOL!
 
Haven't already? Please have a gander at the vid in the post ↑ ↑ ↑ above ↑ ↑ ↑ Therein, I demonstrate the innovative usefulness of my discovery/invention of the Axe Warrior Battle Sling, and say "uhhh" way too many times. I believe it's maybe one of the more unique guitar strap developments of the 21st century. Am I full of sh-... uh, exaggeration & hyperbole? For you to watch then decide for yourself!
You too will soon understand how Axe Warrior will end world hunger, cure all human ailments, bring an end to wars, and solve global warmering

New in the Reverb Shoppe is the fourth iteration of "DragonFly" and so far the only one I've made with a mainly black body. All others to-date have been brown. A fair bit more work to paint that dye all around these flittin' wee beasties, but they really do jump off that black background what with all them irridescent green 'n blue bodies and golden wings.

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3" wide, max 55", padded with a tan/camel interior. Also there is a bit of cowboy border stamping on this one too, for a little texture/interest on the nose and tail ends.

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NOT the result of a factory embossing wheel or pattern press. It's 100% a hand job... Whoah! Settle down there now... what I actually mean is: hand-tooled, hand-dyed, hand-painted, hand-burnished, then hand-finished in olde-time traditional leathercrafty artisanal ways.

Leave you with this on this fine Thursday evening...

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Pretty sure he meant "aesthetic."
 
Thank you @LiveeviL2000 ... this is something your allter ego Bob might wield in the field of battle!

No matter what I do... I swear, this morning I had a guy say he wants one yesterday, but... it's gotta be all black. Sonofa ×%!!# You motha-$%#-$#ing $@₩%!liv
There I am today, trying to dye that strappage black.
Spill dye all over my work bench, pair of jeans ruined
Matches my mood now thinking about it LOL! Couldn't get it black... but a very dark, dark green, might work.

That Frank, man what talent! Thanks @SG John
 
Thank you @LiveeviL2000 ... this is something your allter ego Bob might wield in the field of battle!

No matter what I do... I swear, this morning I had a guy say he wants one yesterday, but... it's gotta be all black. Sonofa ×%!!# You motha-$%#-$#ing $@₩%!liv
There I am today, trying to dye that strappage black.
Spill dye all over my work bench, pair of jeans ruined
Matches my mood now thinking about it LOL! Couldn't get it black... but a very dark, dark green, might work.

That Frank, man what talent! Thanks @SG John
Good thing I didn’t ask if it came in black :hide:
 
Put the Well-Hung Reverb store on "watch" if you might be interested in "Hot Lizard" coming up probably Monday in the shop.
3" wide just buttery, sexy leather.

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Beautifully padded too, almost done a pair of these. Also watch a new No Prisoners strap in a similar hot orange and black colour scheme coming soon too. Both great for those CSBs, or vintage sunburst units.

Some comedy relief, or is it? I really can't tell. Sold a leather python style strap on Reverb yesterday, kind of made my day, for the whole day.
Also who else has noticed all new fonts across that platform suddenly around 10am?

WTF???!?!?

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I messaged to try to confirm the buyers' identity, no answer back. The mailing address doesn't seem to check out fully, and he did make an offer, which was quite reasonable. But just imagine my shock! I do need to note here over the years I've also sold very fine guitar straps to one Jeff Beck (still alive), and Steve Morse (not of the Dregs or Deep Purple), and one Agnes Young .... dang... so close!

Anyway I thought that was interesting to relate. Today I am heading in to the city for some shopping time with the wife, and I have to pick up some snap swivels and eye screws for a couple custom strap orders for @ninjaking67 s awesome FRANKY Tribute Build and a Zakk Wylde thing going on up here in Edmonton too...

Happy Saturday my dudes (and dudettes) or anyone in-between!
 
These bits are now undergoing some gas chamber treatment.

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I've done this before w/ muriatic acid, but it's a heavier-duty way harder to control process. I didnt want to outright dissolve the springs inside the barrels.
Plus, messing with muriaic makes you wanna almost pass out if you catch a good whiff... you gotta be so careful to not get burnt, and when you're done you need to neutralize it and all it's just a real bother. I have nearly of a gallon stored in the shed, dunno what to do with it now after I used it a number of years ag. Might break it out on this for five minutes or so... but I'm taking the slow and steady road right now.

You can see it's just starting to cut into the zinc and bright nickel finishes after about 14 hours

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Double strength acetic acid did what muriatic would do in about five or six minutes. I'm gonna give em another four hours then put 'em in a bag with some random rocks, a bit of heavy chain, some nails, screws, and sandpaper bits, give it a good shake, then put these bits back in the fume bath for another few hours. See what's what.
 
Today something rather interesting and fun on the bench. It's been three sad years since I've made one of these.
As you may know brother @ninjaking67 is in the midst of a rather detailed tribute franky build and asked me for this strap.

As you can see I have some reference materials, but I'm not going for any exact pattern here, this is more just for a rough guide.
the leather is a darker red, but I hope Ninja wont mind I think full matchy-matchy would look off anyway, so a bit darker probably better.

This is before I match the leather to a base, and fold the edges over, so this is a bit more than 4" wide.

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He's going full bore with the swivel clip and screw eye hardware for rigging, and wanted it with a few miles on it,
The hardware is nicely aged, didn't have to use muriatic. In fact the underlying copper is now peeking through a bit
 
Here's what went down today.
Got "Mean Street" the Franky custom all dialed-in and ready2riff

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Also, a new floater strap, the way I make them. Tobacco Snake

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I'd say it was a pretty good day! Time for a barley sandwich, and get to cookin' din-din for the sweetie.
Not sure what it's gonna be, but chicken, pasta, sweet peppers, onions, garlic and a white wine sauce will be involved.
maybe some brussel sprouts too if I'm feelin' it
 
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