TVvoodoo's Straplab

[TVvoodoo]

New on ready to go into the store, "King of the Dead"

Slag is ready to hit the stage, but first it's gotta find a mailman who's not on the picket line

A couple finished pics of Tiki Godz

Have a great weekend!

 

[GrooVey]

King of the Dead"

Heck Ya!

 

[TVvoodoo]

New in the shop today, which will appear when I open it back up once the postal strike is done,
is "Phat Bastard" - a rather rare and singular piece I highly doubt I'll be able to make again.

Luck of search on this one.. I found a 4" wide braided leather belt. Never seen anything like it before, so I jumped on it, online.
Then I took about half a day and made it into one of the most badass straps I've ever made.
Particularly if you are a monster big guy, and maybe a bass player! I don't think this would look right on a skinny dude.
Best have a little meat on your bones to wear this one

Some pics:

Because it's fully 4" wide, I opted to NOT pad it. I simply added a braided tail strap with a strong leather pin tab,
in my Class act back buckle design, then added a strong leather nose too - adjusts 45-60

The herringbone pattern is just gorgeous! I count 24 individual strands of leather, and none of them were broken -
so much badass texture! Leather has been conditioned also.

Again, sorry my friends... store remains closed for now, but there will be a nice load of new things in waiting in there once I open 'er up.

 

[TVvoodoo]

Been a bit of a crazy week here, spent a couple days road-tripping on emergency driver duty for my mom, who's retina behind her left eyeball decided to suddenly start detaching! Really amazing what surgeons can do these days. I live in a relatively unspoiled wildernessey area, but when it comes time for serious medical care, it means big travel will likely involved - anyway today I was able to finish stuff I had started on Tuesday and Part of Wednesday...


First off a right handsome brand new strap I'm callin "Rodeo"

Not too much new about it, the style is old, the tooling pattern is vintagey western, and I didn't even tool it... it's embossed leather that came to me this way. But it's hella cool with a nice semi-gloss.
3" wide pad, (just under), 1" skinny straps. Adjusts with the Conway buckle system, probably the fastest easiest guitar strap length method of adjustment possible, while still being secure.



I like to put what I call "paddle" ends on these straps. Makes 'em much more trusty in my opinion, and they'll
last a good number of years longer - 'cause it seems it's the tiny ends that go bad first on skinny-type straps.

Your tele deserves this strap! You'll be rewarded with extra sweet twang, and great comfort ta boot!

Next up, a continuation of a Carpetbagger strap I made a custom of about four months back. Decided to use up the rest of the material I had reserved. "Giant Paisley" is made of the typical thick, soft tapestry fabric, has this super far-out (and very large) paisley pattern all over it.

Great fendery colours in here. Blue, reds, orange, pinks, yellow, greens, black - it's all here baby!

Here's the custom one I made on the dudes' bass for visuallization... it's now calling Winterpeg home.
If you have a "hard to match" guitar problem, this strap very well could solve it, and as a bonus bring you some of the tip-toppity comfort my store offers.
That's the Carpetbagger promise!

Postal strike still on, so the reverb store remains shuttered - starting to get a little hungry here and rather annoyed. Thankfully I saved for a rainy day, but it's gettin' to be a hard eat, I'll tell you what.

Happy Friday to the Well-Hung Warrior Tribe, U know who U are, (and anyone interested in joining).

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Did your mom get her retina fixed? That is a scary thing.

 

[TVvoodoo]

@Jethro Rocker ...Time will tell. Local eye doc sent us to emerg. Clinic in Edmonton 4 hours away on tues. They looked at on thurs AM for about 20 min then decided to book emergency eye surgery at a local hospital. A small snowstorm, finding parking anywhere, trying to get her where she needed to go, while her not being very mobile added to the fun!
However, after all the shuttling, the waiting and the worrying, it seems they were able to put what's called a "buckle" around the retina to hold it fast to her eyeball. Now it should heal up in a matter of a month or two. They also injected some sort of gas behind her retina to further press it towards her eye. She does have to lay on her left side for about six weeks, 90% of the time... so that's going to be a bit strange. Never even heard of such a thing before yesterday. On the way home last night the car headlights were causing her illusionary psychedelic images of green and purple which she said was quite enjoyable.

 

[iblive]

@Jethro Rocker ...Time will tell. Local eye doc sent us to emerg. Clinic in Edmonton 4 hours away on tues. They looked at on thurs AM for about 20 min then decided to book emergency eye surgery at a local hospital. A small snowstorm, finding parking anywhere, trying to get her where she needed to go, while her not being very mobile added to the fun!
However, after all the shuttling, the waiting and the worrying, it seems they were able to put what's called a "buckle" around the retina to hold it fast to her eyeball. Now it should heal up in a matter of a month or two. They also injected some sort of gas behind her retina to further press it towards her eye. She does have to lay on her left side for about six weeks, 90% of the time... so that's going to be a bit strange. Never even heard of such a thing before yesterday. On the way home last night the car headlights were causing her illusionary psychedelic images of green and purple which she said was quite enjoyable.

Sounds like things worked out. That’s a good thing.

Now…… Was your mom a hippy in the 60s?

 

[Jethro Rocker]

@Jethro Rocker ...Time will tell. Local eye doc sent us to emerg. Clinic in Edmonton 4 hours away on tues. They looked at on thurs AM for about 20 min then decided to book emergency eye surgery at a local hospital. A small snowstorm, finding parking anywhere, trying to get her where she needed to go, while her not being very mobile added to the fun!
However, after all the shuttling, the waiting and the worrying, it seems they were able to put what's called a "buckle" around the retina to hold it fast to her eyeball. Now it should heal up in a matter of a month or two. They also injected some sort of gas behind her retina to further press it towards her eye. She does have to lay on her left side for about six weeks, 90% of the time... so that's going to be a bit strange. Never even heard of such a thing before yesterday. On the way home last night the car headlights were causing her illusionary psychedelic images of green and purple which she said was quite enjoyable.

My boss at the camera shop had exactly that. Gas bubble, laying on side etc. His was spontaneous too, doc said it looked like he got hit in thr head with a shovel! Bizarre how it can just detach.

 

[TVvoodoo]

@iblive we love to joke in our family about pics of her pregnant with me in the mid-60's in a hot pink mini dress, a drinky-poo in one hand, a smoke in the other. But it explains a lot LOL!!

Speaking of which, I recently wrote this this veiled "dope escape" song (lyrics and general song vibe/layout) and Suno gave it this totally bangin' production.

Wheels Up by @tvvoodoo | Suno

Positive hypnotic britpop power pop. Hypnotic, eclectic, catchy song. Listen and make your own with Suno.

suno.com

Honestly if I could write, record and produce a tune that slaps like this without AI help, I'd be one proud fella.

The only things are there is a musical direction prompt that ended up sung as lyric (its kind of funny) and for some reason the AI added the second verse to the chorus... then repeated it as a verse, but it still somehow works

 

[ibmorjamn]

@fitz lot of oilfield workers in my area, so seeing trucks modded-out to the total nutz is an everyday thing.
I know you got 'em down there too, guys have a $50,000 truck, then proceed to put another 60 Gs in it for show. Crazy!
I don't got that kind of money, and I ain't 25 anymore - - no need to turn heads with my daily driver LOL!
In fact, if it gets me to the beer store and back without hardly anybody noticing, that's my ideal ride.

Got another Angry Tiki Godz strap on the go... more fun similar to the last but with a few changes

The tooling

First dye bath, yella!

then I was a big lax on the minutiae of all the dye and paint of the details for pix but here it is as it sits today.

Lots of detail, and this one with the yellow edges was a bit of an extra challenge I've never done before, they aren't perfect but I think that works pretty ok with the more primitive art style here. This version has a parrot and surf wave, some extra flowers, different TIKI dudes and some torches too. I do like the nice teak-like main body stain I got here too.

Now to oil it, buff it out, burnish the edges then clearcoat over the next couple days prior to getting the Class Act back buckle assembly on, padding, lining, stitching

I got another couple of customs on the go including one of these... I showed this one on F-book over the weekend and it's spoken for already.
I had purchased two of these fake bullet belts. Then, one of our TTR brothers saw it and ordered up the other belt to be done into a strap for him as well.
Just have to make it. Crazy. Seems to be kind of a demand for these?

They are plastic bullets. No bark nor bite. But they don't add hardly any weight either, and still send off that DFWM vibe.

I called this one "Ammunition" - but a more accurate name would probably be "Shootin' Blanks!"
I thought last weekend was US Thanksgiving, not this one coming up! You folks down there sure get jacked up
about your holidays! I think i've been hearing about your T-day holiday for a whole dang month now!

The Ukraine has a new holiday the USA and other NATO countries have inspired them, they call it "Tanksgiving"

Me want Tiki.

 

[TVvoodoo]

@ibmorjamn I'd be honored to craft you one in the color scheme of your choice. I'd e even put your angry mug on so you'd be deified forever!

 

[iblive]

@iblive we love to joke in our family about pics of her pregnant with me in the mid-60's in a hot pink mini dress, a drinky-poo in one hand, a smoke in the other. But it explains a lot LOL!!

Speaking of which, I recently wrote this this veiled "dope escape" song and Suno gave it a total bangin' production.

Wheels Up by @tvvoodoo | Suno

Positive hypnotic britpop power pop. Hypnotic, eclectic, catchy song. Listen and make your own with Suno.

suno.com

Honestly if I could write, record and produce a tune that slaps like this without AI help, I'd be one proud fella.

The only things are there is a musical direction prompt that ended up sung as lyric (its kind of funny) and for some reason the AI added the second verse to the chorus... then repeated it as a verse, but it still somehow works

I’ve shared this photo with my now 18 year old college attending granddaughter. And told her this was her grandmas when they were her age.

 

[ibmorjamn]

@ibmorjamn I'd be honored to craft you one in the color scheme of your choice. I'd e even put your angry mug on so you'd be deified forever!

Oh , yes. I would not want to ruin perfectly good art with my face. lmao

 

[TVvoodoo]

Oh , yes. I would not want to ruin perfectly good art with my face. lmao

Your face would just look really angry, maybe? Or happy about an NGD?

Sigh. Strike still on.
But the shop is still working, seems as hard as ever! Here's a taste of what's going on...

Five custom jobs DONE waiting to be sent first possible opportunity. Not only that, I have a dude goes by MH on instagram this morning who wants him some
old school leather strap locks, he's figuring probably a strap too, might wait until the spice is flowing

I Have a few more of those bullet belts on order via Amazon to fulfil at least one order for Anthony

James is a returner, forum brother. Was thinking maybe a Tiki carved strap, or perhaps another direction to match up with something "gold" incoming.
He's gonna send pics so I can see what I'm dealing with.

Neil in Edmonton wants something carpetbagger in 4" wide - just confirmed minutes ago he loves the black on the far right,
so that one WILL will be on the table this week. But another 4" wide strap already? Hardly expected that.

JP in Chicago is desperately seeking something to showcase this outlandishly sick thing.
I'm trying to find a crushed velvet that'll help mimic that pearlescent glow, and be a colour match besides for this Supro

Steve in the 'peg is a returning tribal member, wants straps for both his Dano, and Z7 and he's very patiently waiting for pitches/ideas
I have some really nice slightly off-white leather for that dano, but maybe I'll concho it up a little, give it a little flash.
But for the Z7, it's gotta be sleek and fleek LOL - maybe repeat that pattern of the pickguard silver on black, or reverse?

I think I have successfully steered Dave, another returning Well-Hung warrior towards a Devil's leash Saugerties (on the right) for his vibin' strat
It really is THE ONE for this beauty, I mean C'mon!

Lots of messages flying back and forth past little while, but figuring and helping to steer where to go is half the fun!
Just figured it might be an interesting peek behind the scenes in StrapLab pre-production.
This post helped me organize my thoughts a bit too LOL!

 

[GrooVey]

figured it might be an interesting peek behind the scenes in StrapLab pre-production

Absolutely!

 

[ibmorjamn]

First-ever online availability of the new Well-Hung "BeastMaster" which I can say with confidence is the most comfortable guitar strap I have ever made,
at least one I can repeat over and over again. Bear in mind I'm saying this after having spent over a dozen years chasing improved strap comfort.

This is #1, but will take special orders. I have since added my small emblem to the back end. whoops!

Positives:
It's so comfy, you might not actually believe it, every time you put it on.
It's built tough and robust for pro-stage use, with an aggressive armored-plate appearance.
It's got a very controlled elastic / shock absorber effect
It has a padded and anti-slip lining, but can be unlined/unpadded as well.
Is customizable for particular leather and hardware finishes.

It's the result of StrapLab experimentation with powerful elastic sports resistance training bands, using them as a base for a highly-functional guitar strap.
Plenty of good leather is involved.

I fully realize I've made light of them in the past - "BeastMaster" does appear a little "Wookie ammo-belt-ish" by design.
I decided to build a 'comfort" strap that not only "looks the part" but also over-performs in that regard. BeastMaster does NOT sit up sky high on your shoulder.

So good I had to keep one for myself!

3-1/8" wide on the shoulder, adjustable for length up to 60" if you don't want rivets, or hardware,
I can do that too. Customizable for back buckle instead of ladder-back as well.

I believe I will be making more of these, once they get out there. If you crave some pain relief, or just want something interesting and innovative,
learn more at The Well-Hung Strapateria on Reverb.

Happy Fraiyday!

Beast Master would go well with the reptile pick guard.

 

[TVvoodoo]

Neil is in a busy cover band called Pushing Ginger, and has been a Well-Hung warrior for years now probably has eight or ten my pieces. Funny thing, he's continually adapting it seems, searching for more comfort and better playing positions.

Every time I talk to him, it feels like he's wearing higher and higher, and wants an even shorter strap. This time it seems he's going for broke. He's seeing I've made a few 4" straps over the past couple months and wanted one for himself. Says he has a Jodi strap that's about that wide, but not at all padded, so it's just not doing it for him. Then he sent me a pic on how he's wearing lately, (top left, a Lunch with Lucifer strap).

Anyway, now's a great time to try some stuff.

My 3" typical wide padded strap isn't doing him much good that way. Knowing Strandberg prides themselves on building a more ergonomic instrument, I figured I'd put some extra thought into this 4-incher with the tab placement. I didn't want the guitar to be continually pushed left, by a wide strap, like playing an SG, but he says he does it naturally and perhaps we could help correct that, so we decided the top right slightly offset tab placement would be best. Yesterday so it was written, so it was done today.

We also discussed how that forward tab placement might affect the pull on the strap, difference seems negligible to me.
Since he's in Edmonton, might get a chance to hand-deliver this one! I'm going in in a week or so.

Also new in the Reverb store that isn't open, and you can't buy it no matter how hard you look, a couple of new Black Mamba No. 5s
- one may be ready to slither your way once the mail is open again. Liveevil owns one of these, he can vouch.
But that mail thing... Sigh.

Turns out I lost the job with the strat and the Devils' leash I showed in the post above.
Dude's genny went so he's out of money. Stuff happens I totally understand!
As I'm writing this, I got a plumber changing some stuff for our replacement new
dishwasher. Old faithful finally gave up the ghost after 18 years. Not bad!
But the new hookup needed a whole new deal underneath that what the Kenmore had.

I hope it's not like a lot of other new appliances. Sure don't hear much good about any of them.
LG

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Smart idea. He's not just another pretty face...not JUST that.

 

[TVvoodoo]

Didn't pitch it to the guy, he hasn't seen it. Sent him several other mockup ideas but he's not answering.
I just went ahead and built it. I've been moving this chunk of python around on my bench avoiding it for months. It was time to put it to work.
But what does the collective strapbrain think? I'm not sure.

If he doesn't dig it, into the store it goes! But what do I call it? Insane Python?

 

[Jethro Rocker]

Purple python of love.