TVvoodoo's Straplab
- Thread starter TVvoodoo
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OP
TVvoodoo
Ambassador of The Comfortably Slung
Who's ready to get their groovy on? Had an order for a custom over the weekend, got cracking on it early this morning after
measuring it out, choosing some appropriate hardware, casing the leather (moisturizing), and pressing in stitch channels.
Now I made a hand-carved paisley once before, it was more an experiment to see if I could actually do it, and it was a bit sloppy in
places... basically a test find good shapes and such. It was a pretty nice strap, a bit short, and luckily... I saved the templates so I
could use them again - Here i am marking the basic paisley botehs into the leather
Then I get the swivel knive going and carve out the shapes, and then the bevel tool to make them sort of 3D to jump out a bit.
This was a couple hours later... a bit rough... but coming along nice! I think for next time the tails won't be so twisty on the big
ones... really quite difficult to get in there with the bevel tool
Then we put on some Bocephus, and just go to town with the tooling
Just kind of going for it, a little planning involved.. but I like every paisley to be a little different from the others, so it don't end up looking like one of
them repetitive factory type straps. This is the fun part! Just be creative, try stuff... sometimes the results can really surprise a fella,
found some cool new ideas I can use even for the next go round. But this one already looking much cleaner than the first try I made a couple years ago.
Here's where I figured it was basically tooled, before putting some "action" decorative cuts into the leather to make it look like it's totally
looking into like RVA's tummy with a microscope after he gulps down his probiotics.
We leave you with a customer stable shot of some pretty ladies all in a row. Looks like another paisley freak too!
More tomorrow, dye and stuff
measuring it out, choosing some appropriate hardware, casing the leather (moisturizing), and pressing in stitch channels.
Now I made a hand-carved paisley once before, it was more an experiment to see if I could actually do it, and it was a bit sloppy in
places... basically a test find good shapes and such. It was a pretty nice strap, a bit short, and luckily... I saved the templates so I
could use them again - Here i am marking the basic paisley botehs into the leather
Then I get the swivel knive going and carve out the shapes, and then the bevel tool to make them sort of 3D to jump out a bit.
This was a couple hours later... a bit rough... but coming along nice! I think for next time the tails won't be so twisty on the big
ones... really quite difficult to get in there with the bevel tool
Then we put on some Bocephus, and just go to town with the tooling
Just kind of going for it, a little planning involved.. but I like every paisley to be a little different from the others, so it don't end up looking like one of
them repetitive factory type straps. This is the fun part! Just be creative, try stuff... sometimes the results can really surprise a fella,
found some cool new ideas I can use even for the next go round. But this one already looking much cleaner than the first try I made a couple years ago.
Here's where I figured it was basically tooled, before putting some "action" decorative cuts into the leather to make it look like it's totally
looking into like RVA's tummy with a microscope after he gulps down his probiotics.
We leave you with a customer stable shot of some pretty ladies all in a row. Looks like another paisley freak too!
More tomorrow, dye and stuff
OP
TVvoodoo
Ambassador of The Comfortably Slung
The paisley carve job continued today... later in the day yesterday, after adding some "decorative slashes" to give some action
to the designs. Then, dye stages...
The tele this is going on is a fenderish paisley in creme paisleys with silver background and a black metallic burst around it. The fella
just said he wanted a black paisley strap, but also gave me creative control on this, so I figured I'd try something before just laying on the black
over everything. Dyed it light, light yellow first, let that dry out for an hour or so. then lightly applied black so see what might happen.
This actually makes the paisley textures stand out a bit more. It looked super cool in places, but a little "splotchy."
Though I think this could work if a fella was more careful. maybe used a different sort of applicator than sheepswool.
After the clear coat, it would just meld everything together in a nice way.
But... to my eyes this kind of sucked and was beyond repair, so... onward with moar black!
Got it into all the cracks and crannies. Let that set in overnight, and this morning a couple rounds of remoisturizing with
neatsfoot oil.
Let it soak in, apply twice more. Rubbing it in real good, and buffing lightly between applications.
Affixing the hardwares, tail strap adjustment will go from about 47 -57". Sanding and burnishing the edges.
give it a real nice buff and shine. Tomorrow I am going to see if we can't jazz it up a bit, with the fella's permission, of course!
But, it's one of those risk/reward sort of scenarios. We shall see!
to the designs. Then, dye stages...
The tele this is going on is a fenderish paisley in creme paisleys with silver background and a black metallic burst around it. The fella
just said he wanted a black paisley strap, but also gave me creative control on this, so I figured I'd try something before just laying on the black
over everything. Dyed it light, light yellow first, let that dry out for an hour or so. then lightly applied black so see what might happen.
This actually makes the paisley textures stand out a bit more. It looked super cool in places, but a little "splotchy."
Though I think this could work if a fella was more careful. maybe used a different sort of applicator than sheepswool.
After the clear coat, it would just meld everything together in a nice way.
But... to my eyes this kind of sucked and was beyond repair, so... onward with moar black!
Got it into all the cracks and crannies. Let that set in overnight, and this morning a couple rounds of remoisturizing with
neatsfoot oil.
Let it soak in, apply twice more. Rubbing it in real good, and buffing lightly between applications.
Affixing the hardwares, tail strap adjustment will go from about 47 -57". Sanding and burnishing the edges.
give it a real nice buff and shine. Tomorrow I am going to see if we can't jazz it up a bit, with the fella's permission, of course!
But, it's one of those risk/reward sort of scenarios. We shall see!
OP
TVvoodoo
Ambassador of The Comfortably Slung
Phenomenal work you do Brad!!I really enjoy my straps you made for me , and are very comfortable, i have had great comments about them, and have given your name out to those that are interested. Keep up the fine work!
So very nice to hear, Norm! Thank you for spreading the gospel of the Well-Hung man! by now you have probably learned the swagger real good. LOL
OP
TVvoodoo
Ambassador of The Comfortably Slung
Ok... so I black-dyed and clearcoated a couple of test, stamp practice pieces with a product called "super sheen" to seal the black down.
Then I mixed up some black/silver sparkles at a ratio of about 3:1, added a bit of water and some clear acrylic sealer and water to keep it
from drying out too quick.
took it to the test pieces with some good smearage
Wiped it off
As I hoped the sparkle medium stays in the nooks pretty nice. But man-oh-man working with sparkle is crazy! Just a little tiny bit and it's suddenly
Everywhere LOL - This is the guitar we are strapping. I'm told it's not cream paisleys, but more a pewter.
But perhaps the finish will "warm" over time, i suspect it will. Don't think I use cream thread, gray instead for the stitching, though creme would pop the fretboard.
I think we need to keep the guitar the main event here.
Then I mixed up some black/silver sparkles at a ratio of about 3:1, added a bit of water and some clear acrylic sealer and water to keep it
from drying out too quick.
took it to the test pieces with some good smearage
Wiped it off
As I hoped the sparkle medium stays in the nooks pretty nice. But man-oh-man working with sparkle is crazy! Just a little tiny bit and it's suddenly
Everywhere LOL - This is the guitar we are strapping. I'm told it's not cream paisleys, but more a pewter.
But perhaps the finish will "warm" over time, i suspect it will. Don't think I use cream thread, gray instead for the stitching, though creme would pop the fretboard.
I think we need to keep the guitar the main event here.
OP
TVvoodoo
Ambassador of The Comfortably Slung
With the customers blessing I embarked upon sparkling the strap, just enough to take it from being plain ol' black, to what I would call "Showman's Black" if you get my drift. Silver to black glitter ratio about 10:1 - I don't know what's right, never done this before. Hell I'm not sure if anyone has tried anything like this.
First I masked off the stitching channels because i didn't want to get a bunch of sparkle all stuck up in there.
Then, I went to town, smearing my ugly black magic concoction all over the dang thing
rubbed 'er in real good, then wiped it off and let it all dry out for a couple hours.
Got just enough glitz to it you can see it from about 15 feet away, a hint of glint to 'er. It's kind of exactly what
I was hoping for, not really super cray bling, just enough to make you want to look a bit closer.
Locked it all down with a couple coats of clear leather finish, laying it down a bit heavier in the crevasses.
Don't really come through in still pics very good. Even the video don't show it so well, but better.
First I masked off the stitching channels because i didn't want to get a bunch of sparkle all stuck up in there.
Then, I went to town, smearing my ugly black magic concoction all over the dang thing
rubbed 'er in real good, then wiped it off and let it all dry out for a couple hours.
Got just enough glitz to it you can see it from about 15 feet away, a hint of glint to 'er. It's kind of exactly what
I was hoping for, not really super cray bling, just enough to make you want to look a bit closer.
Locked it all down with a couple coats of clear leather finish, laying it down a bit heavier in the crevasses.
Don't really come through in still pics very good. Even the video don't show it so well, but better.
OP
TVvoodoo
Ambassador of The Comfortably Slung
there was things going down in the straplab today, but mostly tidying up and such. But Mike "The Hammer" dropped a vid.
He's also recovering from a wrist operation. Seems a-ok to me.
anyway, he's just starting out on that guitar youtuber thing. I know he'd REALLY appreciate any likes and subscribes.
He purchased Shock & Awe #79 a couple months ago and I also sent him a very right-priced custom job
and promises he do a vid focusing on them it sometime after he gets a few more weeks under them.
So far he tells me he is digging them!
He's also recovering from a wrist operation. Seems a-ok to me.
anyway, he's just starting out on that guitar youtuber thing. I know he'd REALLY appreciate any likes and subscribes.
He purchased Shock & Awe #79 a couple months ago and I also sent him a very right-priced custom job
and promises he do a vid focusing on them it sometime after he gets a few more weeks under them.
So far he tells me he is digging them!
OP
TVvoodoo
Ambassador of The Comfortably Slung
Something a little different. over the weekend I gave one of my favourites a bit of needed tender love and care.
Had this guitar custom made for me by one of those Chinese Luthier outfits on aliexpress a few years ago. The goal was to
end up with a wacky couch beater guitar for low dollar. All told it was about $350, but was not at all a perfect experience.
I specified an ovation loader style bridge and they failed massively on that. They also got the overall design kind of wrong
with the soundhole placement, but other than that, they delivered for the most part.
The finish was really quite nice, binding, inlays, fretwork, and the neck is great, piezo electrics work well and it always gets lots
of interest from other guitarists because it's so kooky and unique.
One fatal design flaw is that the double cut makes for way less stability where the neck meets the body. NOT GOOD!
Over time, string tension keeps pushing the end of the neck down and I noticed a few months ago, it actually broke through the spruce top,
cracking it through on each side of the neck. Busted a string the other day on 'er, so it was time to finally address the problem for serious during a string change.
Probably kind of jobber in comparison to the many talents on board here, but I make no claims to be a luthier, i only pretend to be one on the internet.
Simply piece of poplar lumber, smooved a bit and carved a "hook" in it that catches one of the back braces directly below the end of the fretboard.
I've seen repairs similar to this before, I'm hoping it will buy me some more time with this instrument, because I actually play it quite a lot.
Then I figured I'd give the fretboard some treatment. Trying some neatsfoot oil on it for kicks. An all natural oil I use quite
a lot for leatherwork. Why? I use lemon oil and mineral oil typically, but why the hell not try something new? The ebony seem to
like it, though not much soaked in. Can't say it's better or worse than anything else. Except linseed or olive oil. I'll never use those.
Both of those are known to get rancid and nasty. Man, don't you just love small block inlays though?
A little polish up, and ready for re-stringin, used some of that neatsfoot on the bridge too, rosewood loves it!
To aid in minimizing the neck/body joint damage, I purchased a few sets of these shortly after the guitar arrived because I knew it was going
to be an issue. This is my last set. They are pretty good last nicely, but pricier than I like to spend for strings, cheap as I am.
Now tuned to tension, guitar probably could use a truss rod adjustment with the season change, but I'm going to play it as is for awhile and
keep watching that neck/body connection. But I think I solved a big part of the problem, we shall see if it will stand the test of time.
Had this guitar custom made for me by one of those Chinese Luthier outfits on aliexpress a few years ago. The goal was to
end up with a wacky couch beater guitar for low dollar. All told it was about $350, but was not at all a perfect experience.
I specified an ovation loader style bridge and they failed massively on that. They also got the overall design kind of wrong
with the soundhole placement, but other than that, they delivered for the most part.
The finish was really quite nice, binding, inlays, fretwork, and the neck is great, piezo electrics work well and it always gets lots
of interest from other guitarists because it's so kooky and unique.
One fatal design flaw is that the double cut makes for way less stability where the neck meets the body. NOT GOOD!
Over time, string tension keeps pushing the end of the neck down and I noticed a few months ago, it actually broke through the spruce top,
cracking it through on each side of the neck. Busted a string the other day on 'er, so it was time to finally address the problem for serious during a string change.
Probably kind of jobber in comparison to the many talents on board here, but I make no claims to be a luthier, i only pretend to be one on the internet.
Simply piece of poplar lumber, smooved a bit and carved a "hook" in it that catches one of the back braces directly below the end of the fretboard.
I've seen repairs similar to this before, I'm hoping it will buy me some more time with this instrument, because I actually play it quite a lot.
Then I figured I'd give the fretboard some treatment. Trying some neatsfoot oil on it for kicks. An all natural oil I use quite
a lot for leatherwork. Why? I use lemon oil and mineral oil typically, but why the hell not try something new? The ebony seem to
like it, though not much soaked in. Can't say it's better or worse than anything else. Except linseed or olive oil. I'll never use those.
Both of those are known to get rancid and nasty. Man, don't you just love small block inlays though?
A little polish up, and ready for re-stringin, used some of that neatsfoot on the bridge too, rosewood loves it!
To aid in minimizing the neck/body joint damage, I purchased a few sets of these shortly after the guitar arrived because I knew it was going
to be an issue. This is my last set. They are pretty good last nicely, but pricier than I like to spend for strings, cheap as I am.
Now tuned to tension, guitar probably could use a truss rod adjustment with the season change, but I'm going to play it as is for awhile and
keep watching that neck/body connection. But I think I solved a big part of the problem, we shall see if it will stand the test of time.
OP
TVvoodoo
Ambassador of The Comfortably Slung
Growing up we had some mean-ass geeses too! It was my job to herd them home when I was 10 or so. Also recall some pretty bitchy roosters too though.
OP
TVvoodoo
Ambassador of The Comfortably Slung
my recommendation is head down to your local thrift store. Probably find a cool paisley shirt there LOL! That's where this one came from.
I've had a few offers from people to buy it off reverb LOL. It's a fun shirt. Understated, but still groovy
Does your Desoto have tail fins? righteous!
That is PACKED with awesome!October seemed like an appropriate month. Beware my friends, dark doings are afoot in the StrapLab
OP
TVvoodoo
Ambassador of The Comfortably Slung
Oh-oh! Painful reminder to slow down with the super sharp tools? Legal documentation of an unfortunate workplace accident?
Knarly cougar on the loose in the neighborhood? No, no and NO!
It's my second Regan strap this week, but this time I'd figure I'd put my macabre boyhood hobby/skills to work with some hollywood style special effects on the strap.
Just like what they done to poor Linda Blairs' face for the movie. I can't figure out how to make it puke green all over you... probably for the best anyway.
Anyone remember Fangoria Magazine? I was a fan. So here's a strap featuring some hateful hackin' 'n gashin' into the skin in nasty ways.
Also new off the bench and already in the store ... "Warhorse" just finished today, very cool.
This is the kind of Chad strap all your other straps will probably detest (Unless you are already a Well-Hung guitarist). When you are not looking, It's going to make fun of all of them, flexing, berating and belittling them just with it's very presence. It's what it was made to do. Be superior in every way.
Knarly cougar on the loose in the neighborhood? No, no and NO!
It's my second Regan strap this week, but this time I'd figure I'd put my macabre boyhood hobby/skills to work with some hollywood style special effects on the strap.
Just like what they done to poor Linda Blairs' face for the movie. I can't figure out how to make it puke green all over you... probably for the best anyway.
Anyone remember Fangoria Magazine? I was a fan. So here's a strap featuring some hateful hackin' 'n gashin' into the skin in nasty ways.
Also new off the bench and already in the store ... "Warhorse" just finished today, very cool.
This is the kind of Chad strap all your other straps will probably detest (Unless you are already a Well-Hung guitarist). When you are not looking, It's going to make fun of all of them, flexing, berating and belittling them just with it's very presence. It's what it was made to do. Be superior in every way.
OP
TVvoodoo
Ambassador of The Comfortably Slung
"The Huntsman" guitar strap may remind you of the intoxicating aroma of spent gunpowder and outdoorsy success!
Two black buckles, fawn and mahogany leather, and all the padding you expect from a Well-Hung sling for your steady six-stringed rifle.
I kind of imagined this to be an elegant outdoorsman's sort of thing, in the Browning clothing line sort of aesthetic in time for the season.
Yesterday while driving my father in to Edmonton for an MRI checkup, we slowed down to watch a pair of whitetail bucks engaged in serious
"Come at me bro!" action just 75 yards off the highway. The were locked and twisting furiously.
Both were younger, but it seemed a spirited and fair fight. Neither of us had ever saw that before in the wild.
Two black buckles, fawn and mahogany leather, and all the padding you expect from a Well-Hung sling for your steady six-stringed rifle.
I kind of imagined this to be an elegant outdoorsman's sort of thing, in the Browning clothing line sort of aesthetic in time for the season.
Yesterday while driving my father in to Edmonton for an MRI checkup, we slowed down to watch a pair of whitetail bucks engaged in serious
"Come at me bro!" action just 75 yards off the highway. The were locked and twisting furiously.
Both were younger, but it seemed a spirited and fair fight. Neither of us had ever saw that before in the wild.
OP
TVvoodoo
Ambassador of The Comfortably Slung
This one fresh off the bench this morning is called "Opry" Features an embossed western full grain leather belt, with
horsie heads, Sheridan style "tooling" and showy lacing. I added to it with saddle coloured oil tan leather, contrasting stitching,
rolled edges, 3" wide padded, good nose and tail ends etc.
This belt is an example of "factory" tooling. That is, I did not do the tooling, it was probably pressed into the belt by a
roller sort of affair. Watch what you are getting if any manufacturer says "hand tooled." Very often it is an outright lie.
horsie heads, Sheridan style "tooling" and showy lacing. I added to it with saddle coloured oil tan leather, contrasting stitching,
rolled edges, 3" wide padded, good nose and tail ends etc.
This belt is an example of "factory" tooling. That is, I did not do the tooling, it was probably pressed into the belt by a
roller sort of affair. Watch what you are getting if any manufacturer says "hand tooled." Very often it is an outright lie.
OP
TVvoodoo
Ambassador of The Comfortably Slung
Things have been a bit slow in the StrapLab... I've been more concerned with the concept of "Not freezing my intercourse Ass Off This Winter" over the past week.
as of about an hour ago, 3 cords split and stacked somewhat neatly in and around my woodshed!
About 1/3 aspen, 1/3 spruce, 1/3 tamarack. Been working pretty good, if I do say so myself. Any of you fellas actually weared right through a set of leather work gloves before, you know.
After the first day I felt like a 75 year old man. Today, I feel like I'm thirty! Yes!
Near my other shed, I spotted our birdbath all filled up with leaves. I had dropped this whitetail shed in there in the spring, and found the birds like to set on it in between dunks
Looked kinda cool and I had my phone with me so I snapped one.
This image speaks to me of fall in several different ways. It is my favorite season.
Oh, and while we are here, some work has gone on in the StrapLab. Restocked a couple of these...
Told that b!tch Carol Baskins we only harvest abundant synthetic Leopards for these Wild Thing straps, and she believed us!
as of about an hour ago, 3 cords split and stacked somewhat neatly in and around my woodshed!
About 1/3 aspen, 1/3 spruce, 1/3 tamarack. Been working pretty good, if I do say so myself. Any of you fellas actually weared right through a set of leather work gloves before, you know.
After the first day I felt like a 75 year old man. Today, I feel like I'm thirty! Yes!
Near my other shed, I spotted our birdbath all filled up with leaves. I had dropped this whitetail shed in there in the spring, and found the birds like to set on it in between dunks
Looked kinda cool and I had my phone with me so I snapped one.
This image speaks to me of fall in several different ways. It is my favorite season.
Oh, and while we are here, some work has gone on in the StrapLab. Restocked a couple of these...
Told that b!tch Carol Baskins we only harvest abundant synthetic Leopards for these Wild Thing straps, and she believed us!
OP
TVvoodoo
Ambassador of The Comfortably Slung
It's not too often I'll do a tooling job without having someone order something up, but last night this was in my head, and I couldn't get it out!
Only one thing to do in this case, work through it.
Was actually chatting with a TTR brother here, discussing strap ideas and I pitched him something with tooled chain links down the length of the strap.
I don't think he was super keen on the idea, but well, I figured it might be cool and fun to try... probably somebody will buy this anyway. |Above, carved into the leather,
below, mostly done beveling out the subject from the background to give it that 3D effect
Now various guitar players have tried using actual metal chain to suspend guitars, probably successfully but man, that can't be too comfortable, right?
So, I figured why not see if we get that aesthetic with big heavy leather, and massive 3" links? Actual chain this size would probably weigh 15 pounds by itself.
I figured I'd break it up a bit for interest, and tool in one chain link on the verge of failing, just because I felt it needed a little drama. Everyone digs a little drama.
Also, you can see here I used a backgrounder tool to distress up the background which makes the chain jump out a bit more even.
I got to thinking of something in my head that I could carve into the tail strap for a little extra interest, while making all these links. Ended up inventing my own Viking proverb.
It's not a real Norse saying probably, but it's absolutely a universal truth. Maybe you folks up on your Runic alphabets, or code decipherin' can translate!
Man, I remember the hours I spent figuring out all the runic writing on the Diary of a Madman cover and sleeve when i was a teen, fun times. As you can see by counting
the letters, it does NOT say "Let's go Brandon"
To my main workbench for dye, coming along nicely!
to be continued!
Only one thing to do in this case, work through it.
Was actually chatting with a TTR brother here, discussing strap ideas and I pitched him something with tooled chain links down the length of the strap.
I don't think he was super keen on the idea, but well, I figured it might be cool and fun to try... probably somebody will buy this anyway. |Above, carved into the leather,
below, mostly done beveling out the subject from the background to give it that 3D effect
Now various guitar players have tried using actual metal chain to suspend guitars, probably successfully but man, that can't be too comfortable, right?
So, I figured why not see if we get that aesthetic with big heavy leather, and massive 3" links? Actual chain this size would probably weigh 15 pounds by itself.
I figured I'd break it up a bit for interest, and tool in one chain link on the verge of failing, just because I felt it needed a little drama. Everyone digs a little drama.
Also, you can see here I used a backgrounder tool to distress up the background which makes the chain jump out a bit more even.
I got to thinking of something in my head that I could carve into the tail strap for a little extra interest, while making all these links. Ended up inventing my own Viking proverb.
It's not a real Norse saying probably, but it's absolutely a universal truth. Maybe you folks up on your Runic alphabets, or code decipherin' can translate!
Man, I remember the hours I spent figuring out all the runic writing on the Diary of a Madman cover and sleeve when i was a teen, fun times. As you can see by counting
the letters, it does NOT say "Let's go Brandon"
To my main workbench for dye, coming along nicely!
to be continued!
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