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"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." |
| 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." |
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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. |
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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. |
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." |
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| 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." |
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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."
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| 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." |
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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 :-)"
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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. " |
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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. |
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"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 . |
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"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. |
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"Pit
Viper" Lastest in the "Limited Edition
Covers" series. This is a deadly snake patterned aftrer the American,
Diamond Backed Rattle Snake. |
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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!" |
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"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" |
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"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. |
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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." |
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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. |
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| Tribal Sun t-cover
in GMOP and Paua on Ebony. The original one was made for Don Finch or
Greensville FL, who had these comments, "Damn!!! Awesome doesn't describe it!!! Damn good job!!!
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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 :-) |
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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!" |
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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. |
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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. |
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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." |
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