We make covers for any type of guitar including, PRS (Paul Reed Smith), Gibson, Ovation, Taylor, Gretsch, Jackson, ESP, Ibenez and more.

Custom Inlaid Truss Rod Covers

Now here is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to really dress up your guitar. A custom Truss Rod Cover can add that personal touch that will make your instrument stand out from the crowd. All our t-covers can be custom designed to your liking and made from a wide variety of shell, stone, woods, or precious metals such as gold or silver. Below are some examples of other custom t-covers I've done.

	I think this is my record for the most number of pieces in a truss rod cover - 23! That's a crazy number of pieces in something so small. The eyes are about 1/16" in length. But that why it is sooooo cool. This piece takes a while to build, but is worth it. It's made with Brushed Nickel Steel for the helmet, White and Black Mother of Pearl for the horns, 50 thousand year old Fossilized Mamoth Ivory for the face, Yellow Cedar for the hair and beard, and Sparkle Paua for the eyes.
What makes a custom tcover GREAT! Well, take a look at this tiger head cover. You don't see covers like this often. 22 pieces of White Mother of Pearl, Paua, and Bloody Jasper on Ebony. There is no etching, paint, fillers, or coloring used on this cover (like most of my covers). Everything you see is shell, stone, and wood. Check out the design, the detail, the fit of the pieces, the way the pieces are inlaid into the wood. Everything is perfect. Not too many inlay artists will show you their work three times normal size. Sure a lot of people make custom t-covers, but compare their covers to this one. The lucky owner of this work of art is Michael Onofrietti from Honolulu, Hawaii. Micheal wrote me this, "The cover is absolutely unreal!! I just got the cover in the mail today, and it is absolutely spectacular! The detail is unreal, and it is going to look great on my jet white guitar."
	Yes, believe it or not, this is a truss rod cover. I think we have to give these sorts of things a different name. If you look carefully for the two screw holes, you will see how it attaches to the headstock. However, unlike a normal t-cover, this one is going to take over a good chunk of the headstock. This is designed to fit on a Taylor head stock. I'll post pictures of it on the guitar once I have them. I'm really looking forward to seeing that myself. This was order by Michael Reed of Plainfield, IL the same owl fan that had me create the Owl Family cover shown below. He always likes to give me a challenge and I'm glad he does, because just look at it!!!
A Great White Shark on a Gibson Bell Cover made for Stephen Long of Dallas Texas. This was made with only two materials, White MOP and Paua.
	"Ever Watchful Over America" Based on a combination of cover designs (Ever Watchful and Eagle Mountain #20 - both pictured below), this cover is the latest in the Limited Edition series. This cover is made from Bloody Jasper, Clear Lapis, White/Gold/Black Mother of Pearl, Red Abalone, and Brass (for the flag staff). "Ever Watchful Over America" replaces the long time favorite Tiger Head (shown below) in the harolded first position on this page. Currently, this cover is only available on PRS guitars. This proto-type (#1) is the property of Craig C. of South Huntington New York. Craig had this to say about his new piece of art, "The piece is ROCKIN!!!!!! You do impecable work! Kudos to you! Couldn't be happier."
	Yes, this is a truss rod cover. It's for a Taylor guitar. The customer, Michael Reed of Plainfield, IL, wanted an entire owl family. My first reaction was, "Yeah right, a tcover is an inch tall." But then Michael ask me to be creative and so I was. The screw hole is just over the Mommy owl's head. The Daddy owl extends over the screw into the headstock. It's more of a headstock inlay that just happens to double as a truss rod cover. One of the most interesting projects I've worked on this year.
Skull and Rose made with White and Gold Mother of Pearl and Paua. Commissions by Chris Bell of LA.
	This whimsical little gold fish is from a Gretsch guitar. This was commission by John Dunne and was paid from with a Shark Inlay Gift Certificate that his son gave him for Christmas. How cool is that, the prefect made to order Christmas Gift. John had this to say about his new prize, "I recieved the TRC today. It is beautiful, a work of art, I am blown away! It looks three-dimensional. A job well done. Thanks."
	Evil man in shiney black helmet. This cover was designed for a Gibson Les Paul and will eventually end up on Tom Fletcher's guitar from the UK Rock Band, McFly.
This one is just too cool. The king of beasts. Commissioned by Reagan Lee of New South Wales, Australia. It is going on an R-Taylor. Made of White, Black, and Gold Mother of Pearl and etched. Check it out on the headstock by clicking the picture below.
	Bomb Guy made of White, Gold, and Black Mother of Pearl and Red Abalone one Flame Maple which was then really flamed with a torch to give it that burnt look. This cover was made for James Lee of California. James had this to say, " It looks AMAZING! You took my scribble of a drawing and turned it into a work of art!! It really puts a personal touch on my PRS and I couldn't be happier. Thanks a bunch. You can bet I'll be coming back to you for future inlay projects. Bravo!"
Hunting Eagle. The shell on shell version (shown on top) was commissioned by Nicholas Grodzicki of South Carolina. Nick shared these thoughts with us, "You are amazing. I can't believe it. It was exactly what I was trying to describe when we first started talking. I can't thank you enough. Trust me, I will be a repeat customer." We like the cover so much, we designed a wood version (shown below). The first one of these ordered was by Dave Nalewsjek who have something like 35 of our cover now. Dave wrote, "This has to be one of the most colorful pieces that you have produced to date. I'm amazed at this piece."
	Commissioned by Sean Keim of Stanford, IL. I know, I would have thought he lived in Denver too. :-) Sean had this to say,"I got mine yesterday! As hard as it is to believe it looks even BETTER in person! I honestly don't know how you get something this small to look THAT detailed. Amazing! Thank you again!"
The brand new "KING OF DRAGON" cover is complete with 10,000 year old Mamoth Horns. Dave Nalewajek have this to say about the King of Dragons, "The Dragon arrived today. WOW! Nothing more that I could say."
Now Available For PRS, Taylor and Gretsch Guitars	While we are on the head theme, how about this Eagle Head cover entitled "Ever Watchful." I LOVE THIS COVER. Can you image this guy at the top of your guitar. I wish this design had been done in time for the NAMM show. Dave Nalewejek, one of our favorite tcover customers with over 20 covers to his credit, shared this with us about "Ever Watchful," "That's got some scary 3-D effects. That will look real good on my PRS. Your stuff just blows the competition out of the water. " Further comments from Matthew Honjo, from somewhere on a US Military Base, "I received the TRC it is awesome just an assume piece of art work. You do some truly great work."
The Stray Cats on a Gretsch, but of course. This was custom made for Gerlof Haagsma of the Netherlands. Gerlof had this to say, "In one word............WOW! It looks amazing."
	This cover is made for an Ovation guitar and it made of all woods. These are three of the wood found around that sound hole of the Adamas model.
Now Available as a PRS Cover too.Orca. Land, sky, and now the sea. This powerful creature and hurl it's three ton body out of the water 30 feet. Well that's impressive and so is this cover. Billy Maykrantz of Sterling Virgina stated, "I just got the Orca on koa truss rod cover for my Taylor guitar. Wow! I am very pleased. This adds so much to my guitar. My Taylor has always sounded great and this custom inlay really makes it stand out. I think it may actually look as good as it sounds now! I could not be happier. Beautiful!! Thanks!!" The first of the PRS versions of this was sold to David Nalewajek, David added, "ORCA arrived today. UNBELIEVABLE!! I now have too many favorites. If only I could afford more guitars :-)"
	You asked for, so you got it. The new "Limited Edition" Eagle Cover - "Eagle Battle." How do you follow up "Eagle Mountain", by making an even better cover how else. This is the one of the "Limited Edition" cover and only 25 will be made. Click here to see the Limited Edition Covers These cover are only sold by auction. To get updated on when these auction become availableemail me. This cover is made up of 17 pieces. You don't see that in a tcover very often.
Snowy Owl for a Taylor Guitar. This is done in White and Gold MOP, Silver Fantail and Red Abalone on Rosewood. This cover was build for Micheal Reed of Plainsfield, IL. This cover is being released as a standard design. Mike wrote me this, "The owl's actual colors are many times more lifelike than the picture shows on the website. Its features blend perfectly with the Cindy on the 915, and yet the owl is three-dimensional--really flying. I'm in my sixties, and I can't stop staring at the little bugger. I don't suppose it's going to make my fingers go any faster, but I'm extremely proud of this tiny piece of art. I've got some other guitars that I'm suddenly ambitious to adorn with your work. Thank you again for making it soar. "
	Taylor Guitar Version Also Avalable. To see more pictures click here. Eagle flying across the sun. This cover is made of Paua, Red Abalone, White and Gold Mother of Pearl on Ebony. I love this cover. It's one of my favorites and looks great made of different materials. This was ordered by Guy Trevor. He emailed be this statement about the cover, "This Is some of the best and most artful Inlay work I have ever seen, and considering the scale of it, I would have to say the workmanship of is a caliber that is unequaled compared to anything I have ever seen. And I've seen a lot." Guy has already ordered two more of this design for his two Taylor guitars.
Sea Turtle for Taylor Guitars.
	"SKULL GOD" for ESP guitar. Does this simple SCREAM shreader for what? This puppy is three inches tall and takes up a good chunk of the headstock. Custom made for Russell Sweet of Jacksonville Florida. He performs with his band Neurotic Butterfly
The Pack is on the hunt. "Wolf Pack" is a new addition to theLimited Edition Covers program.. This cover is made up of 12 pieces. Now available as a single wolf .
	"Dragon Strike" This is the follow up to the popular Dragon Mountain covers. This dragon is on the hunt and has found his prey. Perfect for the agressive guitarist in us all. This is another in the Limited Edition Covers program. These cover are only sold by auction. To get updated on when these auction become availableemail me.
"Eagle Mountain" #20. The last one of the series. This one was made very special in order to close out a very seccessful run of t-cover. To see the rest of the eagle mountain cover click here, "Limited Edition Covers". This cover had to be double inlaid, a time consumming and difficult process. To see how this was done, click here. If you would like to get on a noticification list about when the auctions start email me.
	"Pit Viper" Lastest in the "Limited Edition Covers" series. This is a deadly snake patterned aftrer the American, Diamond Backed Rattle Snake.
This is guitar jewerly. Thought up by Ken Brock of Visalia, CA as a graduation gift for his daughter, this piece will be a stunning addition to her guitar. A personal, one of a kind gift that will be cherished for ever. It's made of Wedded Turquoise and Pink Heart Shell on ebony. It's for an ovation 12-string. I love the sound of a 12 string. Ken added,"Everyone here is so happy with your work. Kylee performed four songs on the pregraduation parent appreciation night the day after your art arrived and was installed on her graduation gift, a 12 string black legend. the next day she performed an original on the guitar and one on the piano. she rocked! the audience kept coming up commenting on your artwork and the songs which was a highlight. So many guests commented on how vibrant and nice that was. Thank you."
	Here is a coat of arms sort of them done with ebony, red abalone, and mother of pearl on maple. It was going on a Warmoth guitar.
"THE PHOENIX" "Limited Edition Covers" series. Used extensively by the American Indians of the Southwest, the Phonix firebird rises from the ashes. It is a symbol of wealth.. Dave Nalewajek of West Seneca NY, had this to say, "Phoenix #2 arrived today. Each time that I get one of these, I keep asking myself how can you possibly do any better that the previous one. Each time you exceed my expectations. #2 is spectacular, and once again you have exceeded my expectations. Keep up the great designs!"
	"THE GARGOYLE" Limited Edition Covers series. This is a good luck symbol used to ward off evil sprits or your Mother-in-Law. . The owner of this cover (Rich Augustin) shared this with me, "It looks amazing, even better than in any of the pics. The best part of it is that the colour of the gargoyle's body is a perfect match to my guitar's body, so all this does is make my guitar look even better. Wonderfull. I'd definetly look into buying another one in the future. Great job. "
"Eagle Mountain" This is the second of a series of "Limited Addition" t-covers. This was the standard design in the "Eagle Mountain" covers. Although the series is now closed, these will be remembered fondly by us and treasured by their owners for a long time to come. email me. George Vlassis of California, the owner for Eagle Mountain #3, shared this with me,"I just wanted to let you know about the #3 truss rod cover i bought from you on ebay. The workmanship is awesome ! I had purchased an eagle truss rod cover from another maker on ebay but compared to your eagle art piece , that thing looked like a 4 year old made it! I am sold on your inlay work and am looking forward to purchasing more items from you...thanks"
	"Dragon Mountain" This is the latest of a series of "Limited Addition" t-covers. Over the next year, 20 of these will be made and auctioned off on eBay. That's it 20, no more. When they are gone, they're gone. If you would like to get on a noticification list about when the auctions start email me.
This one is sooooo cool. I was sent a photo of this dog and this is the resulting t-cover. I like it!!! It is made of white and black Mother of Pearl and Obsidian (a stone) on ebony. This cool cover was ordered up by Steve McEvilly of Concord CA. Here is what Steve had to say about it:"You are a master artist, the trc is a masterpiece and I couldn't be happier. You have a client for life here. You had to pick my jaw up off of the ground." Betsy, "Ch. Sierra's Arctic Sunrise" has won multiple "National Specialty" shows beating out hundreds of American Staffordshire Terriers. She won an award at the age of 9 months, "best bred by" at a National Specialty in Hollywood.
	Emotalized Kitty. This piece was commission by John Heng of Singapore. It was to honor his beloved cat that had pass on.
More pets. This one was commissioned by John Dunne of New York. John emailed me this comment, "Got it - its great, I couldn't have wanted a more beautiful work of art. You are very talented. My only problem now is getting it straight in my head what I want you to inlay next."
	This is the new, "Official", BAM (Birds and Moons.COM) tcover. If you purchase one of these covers, a 25% donation will be made to Birds and Moons in order to offset the costs of keeping this valuable and entertaining forum running. This cover is available in Ebony, Rosewood, and Bocote wood. To order one or more of these covers click here.Just wanted to let you know that my TRC arrived this morning - a real beauty just as I expected, well, maybe even more than I expected. Really great work!, Sandra Schulz.
Gold Mother of Pearl and Paua Rose commissioned by Michael O'Neill of Sterling, VA

The true "OM" symbol. This symbol means peace and tranquility and is a favorite amoung guitar players. Some guitar companies use what they call the "OM" symbol, but my sources have imformed me this is the true symbol. This design is available in any combination of materials, but this one is Paua, Green Ripple, and Gold Mother of Pearl on Rosewood. This first one was custom order by Partho Ghosh of Port Coquitlam, Canada. Next to that is the same cover only with different materials, brass, gold MOP, and Green Fantail on Bloody Jasper. The cover on the bottom is a smaller version where the OM fits completely on the cover.
	The "STARMAN". This cover was made for Jo Coats of Severn, MD. This cover is absolutely beautiful. Its made of White/Gold/Black Mother of pearl and Paua shell on Ebony. This was a really tough cover to cut, but worth every minute. Check out how tight all the pieces fit and the complexity of the lines.
"All you need is love" . . . and a Shark Inlay t-cover. Or how about "Imagine you have a Shark Inlay t-Cover . . . it isn't hard to do . . ." Ok, I'll stop that now. Oh, oh, one more "We all live in a yellow Shark Inlay t-Cover . . ." This cover was commissioned by Aldwyn Rodgers of Columbia, MD. Three more and he can complete the set :-)
	IT'S JIMI!!! This t-cover was designed by Big Al Gunning from Linlithgow, Scotland. This Jimi Hendrix shadow design is so cool and was a challenge to do, but isn't it beautiful. I think Al said it the best,"F**kin hell!!! 'scuse my language, but that's absolutely amazing... you are a Jedi Knight of the inlaying order!"
Elvis has left the shop. After the success of the Jimi Hendrix cover, Mike Petrich of Concord, CA contacted me about doing something similar, only Elvis. What do you think? Pretty cool huh? It was fun to watch as Elvis' face came to life out of the pearl. Another Elvis sighting and I don't even live in Kalamazoo. This cover was, in Mike's words, "This is FLIPPING FANTABULOUS!!! WAY WAY WAY Better than I expected! You are the Inlay Stud! Best regards, from your newest lifelong customer!"
	More Rock Stars, Jeff Beck from the cover of he recent album cover.
How could I call my company Shark Inlay without a Shark Inlay?!? So here it is, the brand new Shark tcover based on our logo.
	CALL IT . . . HEAVY METAL!!! Created for a B.C.Rich owned by Anthony Lucchese of New York. this is yet another example for thinking outside the box. A tcover does not have to be shaped like half an egg. The outside of this one is black flame to highlight the Paua flames inside. Pretty bitching . . . do they still say that? I think I'm getting old. Anthony's comments:"You've definitely outdone yourself. I like the TRC you did for my PRS. But this is just outstanding!"
The inlay is made of white and gold MOP with brass leash and sits on Ebony. This t-cover, in my opinion, is one of my top ten of all time. The little hair lines are done by etching the pearl. This cover is a standard design that has been made before. However, there are many design changes to the cover that are only possible thanks to the CAM machine technology that I now employ. Note how cleanly all the pieces fit and how the delicate leash surrounds the body. It's a beautiful piece. This cover belongs to Mark Overfield from the U.K.
	Made for Ric Goleman for Houston TX, this cover will be going on a PRS Single Cut that was purchased on a "Aid Kateria Victims" auction. Ric wanted some that would honor the people and the city of New Orleans. This is Gold Mother of Pearl and Paua on Ebony. Ric commented, "Cliff did an excellent job, the contrast of the Paua and MOP jumps out at you, and the ebony black background really sets the inlay off."