TVvoodoo's Straplab

[TVvoodoo]

Today I am assembling a Gilmour/Hendrix alternate universe strap... It's a bit off the beaten path, will be a ladder-back with the shiny croc stuff from the earlier post on the nose and tail for a extra coolboost. Black suede, I dyed the lacing to match his vintage burst.

I'd finish this baby in a couple of hours, but my 80 year old pop just called and basically demanded I come over and take out down a tree for him. Yay! I can't wait until i get to demand stuff from my son. I don't think I will be getting near the same response.

And how about some sunday Pr0n? To me, just another run-of-the-mill hopeless Strapoholic, this is edging up to about as sexy as it gets.

Autumn Python is very cool, I'd like to keep it, but my guitar:strap ratio is already way out of whack. I will release this one into the Edmonton Guitar show next Sunday.

 

[ninjaking67]

Brad,

Please post photos of your booth at the Edmonton Guitar Show. I would love to see how it looks!
Sorry, but I won't be flying to Edmonton to check it out!

 

[TVvoodoo]

Brad,

Please post photos of your booth at the Edmonton Guitar Show. I would love to see how it looks!
Sorry, but I won't be flying to Edmonton to check it out!

I 'm afraid it won't be superduper impressive, but I will try. I hardly got off one shot in the last time i did this, and had only five minutes to check out fifty other "booths" I'll try my best, it's a super busy day. You know, I have to try real hard to appear more legit than I actually am ... no booths, or fancy backdrops. Just one lousy 4 x 8 table and a clothing rack. Plus Satriani hasn't got back to me if he'll be shred-shillinng at my booth ... maybe I should ask @Mitch Pearrow SJMP instead

Last time I did this was 2018 ... for that I scrambled hard to procure a heavy chrome rotating 3" clothing rack, got me a swank coroplast sign printed. Last time, I brought along a few of my guitar refinishes. You need something eye-catching for people to look at, try to slow people down as they cruise by your table. This year I'll be able add my banners, maybe try to move a few of those too. Made five pairs of old school leather straplocks, and assembled and bagged up a bunch of sets of pro-pins. Everybody wants free poop at these things, I'll do free with purchase, but
I'm not santa claus for cripes sake

The organizers claimed nearly 6,500 attendees that year. I think after all was said and done paying my daughter, table fees, gas, signage and display etc.. I cleared maybe $700 for a LOT of work - about half that was on t-shirt sales and those custom poker chips I had. I'm a bit worried I got hardly nothing under a tenner and my strap prices have gone up a fair bit too. Funny, there was another strap guy there last time... he looked
over my stuff for a few minutes and told me I should be charging way more... but maybe he was just trying to psych me.

Last week I made a special 1969 run I didn't show off anywhere that I'm going to price ridonkulously low just for the show... if they dont sell they'll end up on reverb. It's coming down to the wire as these things always do, this morning my t-shirt transfers came in...

These are useless though.... 'cause I'm not sure if I'll even have my tees... seem to be stuck in Saskatoon four hours away and the customer service department of the T-shirt people seem to be dodging me. And, I dont even know if my daughter is helping next sunday ... She just got hired on by Home Despot Friday

I have three more genocide straps to make, I'd like to have an Ace of Spades strap to show. I'd like to do another telecaster pickguard this week too. Make shirts, pack poop up for the five hour drive saturday. I'm wondering if I should take a few gun slings too, just for fun.

I'm admit I'm a bit stressed. Happens every time. I tend to get my hopes so high... I should really look at these sorts of things as simply "brand awareness" expansion, and nothing more. The best part is I do really enjoy meeting so many guitar brothers all day long though, that's really cool, but it'll be an absolutely exhausting day.

I should be Like vegas and pay to fly in @LiveeviL2000 and @Don O and other select TTR Well-Hung high rollers, but it would have to be a five strap minimum I think, and you'd have to find your own place to sleep

I am grateful for your interest fellas!

 

[LiveeviL2000]

I 'm afraid it won't be superduper impressive, but I will try. I hardly got off one shot in the last time i did this, and had only five minutes to check out fifty other "booths" I'll try my best, it's a super busy day. You know, I have to try real hard to appear more legit than I actually am ... no booths, or fancy backdrops. Just one lousy 4 x 8 table and a clothing rack. Plus Satriani hasn't got back to me if he'll be shred-shillinng at my booth ... maybe I should ask @Mitch Pearrow SJMP instead

Last time I did this was 2018 ... for that I scrambled hard to procure a heavy chrome rotating 3" clothing rack, got me a swank coroplast sign printed. Last time, I brought along a few of my guitar refinishes. You need something eye-catching for people to look at, try to slow people down as they cruise by your table. This year I'll be able add my banners, maybe try to move a few of those too. Made five pairs of old school leather straplocks, and assembled and bagged up a bunch of sets of pro-pins. Everybody wants free poop at these things, I'll do free with purchase, but
I'm not santa claus for cripes sake

The organizers claimed nearly 6,500 attendees that year. I think after all was said and done paying my daughter, table fees, gas, signage and display etc.. I cleared maybe $700 for a LOT of work - about half that was on t-shirt sales and those custom poker chips I had. I'm a bit worried I got hardly nothing under a tenner and my strap prices have gone up a fair bit too. Funny, there was another strap guy there last time... he looked
over my stuff for a few minutes and told me I should be charging way more... but maybe he was just trying to psych me.

Last week I made a special 1969 run I didn't show off anywhere that I'm going to price ridonkulously low just for the show... if they dont sell they'll end up on reverb. It's coming down to the wire as these things always do, this morning my t-shirt transfers came in...

These are useless though.... 'cause I'm not sure if I'll even have my tees... seem to be stuck in Saskatoon four hours away and the customer service department of the T-shirt people seem to be dodging me. And, I dont even know if my daughter is helping next sunday ... She just got hired on by Home Despot Friday

I have three more genocide straps to make, I'd like to have an Ace of Spades strap to show. I'd like to do another telecaster pickguard this week too. Make shirts, pack poop up for the five hour drive saturday. I'm wondering if I should take a few gun slings too, just for fun.

I'm admit I'm a bit stressed. Happens every time. I tend to get my hopes so high... I should really look at these sorts of things as simply "brand awareness" expansion, and nothing more. The best part is I do really enjoy meeting so many guitar brothers all day long though, that's really cool, but it'll be an absolutely exhausting day.

I should be Like vegas and pay to fly in @LiveeviL2000 and @Don O and other select TTR Well-Hung high rollers, but it would have to be a five strap minimum I think, and you'd have to find your own place to sleep

I am grateful for your interest fellas!

I’m in Brad!
Where is my ticket!!!
I’ll show up with with my straps wrapped around me.
That’s a lot of leather and spikey bits. That’s gonna chaff when I walk.

 

[TVvoodoo]

That's genius! I'll have this kooky mascot called Well-Hung "EL ESTRAPO MANO" kind like a superhero wandering around the floor. With a mexican wrasslin' mask, and of course he gets boots and a cape! But a cape made of straps. And, his superpower is being able to convince the wife he needs another NSD. Can I pay you in straps?

 

[LiveeviL2000]

That's genius! I'll have this kooky mascot called Well-Hung "EL ESTRAPO MANO" kind like a superhero wandering around the floor. With a mexican wrasslin' mask, and of course he gets boots and a cape! But a cape made of straps. And, his superpower is being able to convince the wife he needs another NSD. Can I pay you in straps?

Oddly you just described one of my fantasies down to the last detail.

 

[TVvoodoo]

Phew! what a day, managed to bang out three Genocides, (yet to be titled),

and finished clearcoating this Edmontonian-pandering tele pickguard I made last week.

T-shirt supplier said the first shipment is "lost" possibly still on the way to me, but they sent out a new shipment today.
Will they make it here by friday? To Northern Saskatchewan? I frickin' doubt it. Counting to ten, breathing deeeeeeply.
Serenity now.

 

[Sapient]

@Sapient you honesty have me super confused on this... but if you like I could try sparkling some of this stuff up for you
its actual hair on cowhide, cropped real close. Not sure how sparkles would work on it. I have gold, but not silver.

@LiveeviL2000 - I think maybe way back in your history you probably have some badass Mongol genes, hey?

Thanks, bro, but not like that. Lol. Its kinda complicated and hard to explain. Give that to @LiveeviL2000.

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Do you need me to get anythjng from Saskatoon here and Priority courier it?
Which Home Despot, Edmonton?

 

[TVvoodoo]

Do you need me to get anythjng from Saskatoon here and Priority courier it?
Which Home Despot, Edmonton?

Jethro, I thought about you, but the company gave me this tracking number and it ended in Saskatoon around sept 12, the nothing moved for a bit. I forgot to check on it until around the 20th to put some heat on them, and now they tell me they don't know where the package is between Saskatoon and my literal neck o' the woods. Could be in Raddison. Could be in Cochon. Maybe Meadow. Who knows LOL! folks above saskatoon don't know what all those tiny black lines mean on a package, and those gun things what light up and beep and shi! (Well, I do 'cause I'm special)

STAND DOWN WELL-HUNG WARRIOR SASKATOON!

oh, she's in Edmonton, easy to get cheap labour LOL

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Hey Cochin. We have a cabin across the lake from there! Thats too bad. One would think Stoon to PA and straight over to you.
Edmonton closer for you. We have friends 8n St Albert. I went to college in Edtn many years ago.

 

[TVvoodoo]

Hey Cochin. We have a cabin across the lake from there! Thats too bad. One would think Stoon to PA and straight over to you.
Edmonton closer for you. We have friends 8n St Albert. I went to college in Edtn many years ago.

Ooks? or Golden Bears?

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Ooks? or Golden Bears?

Oh theres pics now. Was Grant MacEwan but never cared less about sports except Riders football.

 

[ninjaking67]

Good luck on all of your prep and packing, Brad!

I really hope everything works out for you at the show and it turns out to be worth all of the time invested.

 

[TVvoodoo]

Thing about where i am is it can get BRUTAL cold! Had a couple of frosty mornings, wifes' 'maters are done, so's her herb garden.
The leaves are turning and falling, and it's firmly autumn. This means them nasty Saskatchewan Muskeg Pythons are lookin' for places to sit out winter.



Used to go out chasing 'em, but last fall I found if I leave my just door open a wee crack when it starts to get a bit chilly, they'll crawl right through and slither downstairs into my basement straplab. I patiently wait for them
to coil up and have a little snooze, then, I jump 'em!

Don't have to be no genius to know what happens next.

A very productive week so far!

 

[TVvoodoo]

working on some stuff in the background. in pre-tradeshow panic. Found out yesterday my tees won't arrive in time. Ordered about a month ago. Went to walleyworld and grabbed some last night. Best I could do under crap circumstances.

I made about twenty new Well-Hung tees for the show in Charcoal Frost, Blues Lawyer Blue, BSB, Fiesta and Surf

Also have this thing getting some sun or UV actually... I drop-filled in a couple beads of that UV resin stuff around the edge of the gems on the outside, and one more layer one level in... this is to keep the edges solid. The rest are held firmly in place by each other. It's fun.

probably mostly assemble it friday, I am following the cardinal rule of partscaster fuggery, I have indeed misplaced some parts, namely: the damn cable jack assembly. Can't find it anywhere. LOL. Always some damn thing.

 

[TVvoodoo]

Ace of Spades #9 - "Brimstone" is complete! (except for nose and tail holes)

Special "Guitar show" run of 1969 series straps.

Paisley Royale telecaster is coming together... had to grind down a quick nut today out of moosebone, (not slotted or finessed), won't have a jack or be wired, but it's good enough for show and tell I figure. Also made a quick switch tip out of a cheap gold mushroom head strap button. Not sure about these knobs, they were "in stock" but the mix of gold and shiny silver is intentional. The neck plate is a nice shiny gold too.

Despite all the glass and resin, it doesn't feel noticeably heavy.

 

[TVvoodoo]

Packing stuff up today for the road trip tomorrow. Got to finish up two new "Umlaut" series straps.
"Glimmer" and "Death's Head"

More shiny stuff on 'em than a 50's dodge sedan!

new paisley pic just for fun, all sexy/reclining and stuff. Inside it's a hot mess. no shielding, no soldering, not even
a damn jack.

 

[ninjaking67]

Good luck at the show Brad!

 

[TVvoodoo]

Sunday I spent a wild day at the Edmonton guitar Show. six hours of shouting over would-be shredders test piloting guitars, pedals and amps. We had a couple hours to set up and when the doors were swung open at 10am... I swear my booth was flooded with people. I'm thinking some of the promo I'm doing is maybe starting to work! Everyone swarming us, touching, holding, trying-on, asking questions... telling me all their strap stories etc... What a day!

I did approx twice as well as the last time I did the same show in 2018. A bit of a damper on profits, got nabbed for a rolling stop ticket on the way into the city the day before by local constabulary...that took a large bite out of profits... a $400 ticket! But I was totally caught red-handed. Living in the country in the middle of nowhere, a fella picks up bad habits, I guess.

Met so many great people, talked guitar all day long, and even made another possible future dealer/store connection with a store owner who told me straight up the straps I was making was a guitar dream come true for him, and possibly many others. And he picked one up to try.

Also handed out business cards until what I took along ran out, (2 hours) then all my stickers with my email on the back, which lasted until the end of the day. I do expect a bit of custom work to come my way, Christmas season etc... On the way out of the city I also hit a couple stores to replenish the supplies and a couple of sides of leather.

Spent yesterday unpacking all my stuff, three jumbo suitcases. Had to sort out and cancel what sold off of Reverb... Harder than it should have been because I didn't begin keeping details until halfway through the show. But it was a good time to take inventory anyway.

Back to the regular grind today... I have an awesome custom order for a set of three from a loyal Well-Hung warrior TTR knows very well. Vito wants each to have a reptilian /snake theme, so I'm calling this set the "Unholy Trinity"

#1 is for this BC Rich... "Fire Python" where I am repeating some of the graphic elements of the paint to the frontside of the strap, but with some red python inset, and some crazy detail stitching.

#2 yet to be named is for a Goth Explorer, and it's going to be in my prophecy design... Still experimenting with what to use but its' going to be pretty dark and scary. The original plan was black snake pattern cross, but it looked not good on top of the black snake already... needs to have a different texture. That's the secret to this style... it's all about textures, and/or complimentary colours. I picked the cowhide hair to match the rosewood, and for fun texture. Hope you like it @LiveeviL2000

#3 is going to use some nasty green crocodile, and hopefully starting on that one tomorrow. Keep watching!