A salute to Charvel! I hope they "Treasure"...

[JacksonGrinder]

I don't get the chance to post much( especially if I'm getting myself deep in crap like this!) ,But I'm with you in spirit with my latest "Project". I wanted to pay tribute to one of my favorite guitarmakers.

Using a beautiful Alder body from Warmoth, I was inspired by this guy from Canada's thread over on the harmony-central board. He was in lust over a Charvel he saw that had a "Treasure Map" image and he amazingly created one himself, Kudos to him!....... and just like that, BAM!! I was "hooked" *pun intended* ..... I HAD TO HAVE ONE! I never seen this graphic on a guitar before, So as I searched around finding out that Jackson,Charvel, and even Thorn guitars had all built one. Then reality set in as I started seeing what these guitars cost. Crazy prices, especially for a Soloist that I saw being Sold around to different people. So, like the guy from Canada I said "I'm gonna freak'n do this too"!

I present to you, all my Jackson/Charvel brethren......... this humble creation to the feet of the Charvel Co.

[Evol]

Wow! I freaking love it!

[thebigz]

Nice! I saw those in all the NAMM pictures a couple NAMMs ago and its possibly my favorite finish ever

[MetalHeadMat]

Ok, that's sick.

[Grawnday]

Beautiful graphic !

[JacksonGrinder]

Beautiful graphic !

Thank You guys! It's been a nerve racking three days trying to draw this up, Plus the few weeks of "practice" test drawing each aspect of the graphic. From the Ship, Nautical Star, Giant Kraken, Islands... on and on.... I easily have 16-18 hours of drawing time on this. This is something you don't want to do if you have ADD!

.... and of coarse the whole time I was working on it. In heavy rotation was varies "Sailing" songs for company. Like Kansas "Carry On Wayward Son", Styx "Come Sail Away", and most importantly TNT's "Seven Seas"... when that song came on, I drew a hidden storage bunker shed where the pirates keep their dynamite and labled it "TNT" in honour. Also, if you look closely at the big Nautical directional arrows that represent moving from one large body of water to another. Their labeled "From Seven Sea's , To Seven Sea's"! I'm sure Ronnie would love the Pickup layout too.

Here's a couple more shots.....

[Devotee]

That looks really stunning. What did you use to draw it and how are you going to seal it?

[GuerillaPete]

Bro! That is indeed sick. All done by hand? Will a finish be applied? Will it run? Details please as the build progresses.

Also, you should've been playing some Primus - Sailing the Seas of Cheese. Ha!

[Trem]

That is so awesome!~ Interested to know what you used to draw it ect as well, the dashed trade routes i can imagine would be a pita, excellent work!


yeah you should submit that to warmoths user made gallery as well for sure.

[JacksonGrinder]

That looks really stunning. What did you use to draw it and how are you going to seal it?

Thank you Devotee! That Canadian guy list all the materials in a couple of his threads. All you really need is a stain or dye in the color you prefer to shape the land masses (Islands) with and is the first thing you have to do. You need the bare wood so that the dye or stain can sink in. I used TransTint aniline dye in a "Mission Oak" color, After reading up on this process I would stick to dyes personally. But, If your used to working with Stains then do what floats your boat...errr....Ship! *super cheese warning* After that, use the wood sealer of your choice. When dry, crank the tunes and start drawing!


Next, I had sticker shock when pricing these specialized Technical Drafting Writing Pens made by Staedtler that came in a set of 4 tips. 30.00 bucks at your local Staples, But just get them off Ebay, you'll find a deal there. I found some for 9.99 w/shipping.... They are such cool pens that have various sized tips for whatever type detailing your going for. Tons of control, and will not run if your pen tip sits at one spot to long. Very cool.... Finally, practice on paper and wood scrapes and take your time, I cannot stress that enough! If your going slow...then go SLOWER! You should see the coolest mouse trap that I did a graphic on the bottom of!

I'm on the fence on what finish route to take? It's either lacquer or Tru-Oil? Lacquer is a pain to apply if you don't have the right equipment, it smells like crapola and takes forever to dry. Tru-Oil is VERY forgiving, easy to apply. You can do it indoors and doesn't have as many dangers as lacquer either. Also is dries suprisingly hard and keeps moisture out and you can make the finish as thin or thick as you want. I think it has as much tonally advantage as lacquer if not more. Lacquer can go on really clear, Tru-Oil is pretty clear also, But has a almost semi-gloss patina to it. Which I think would add to the "old,classic vibe" of this graphic.

Here's the link that started me on this "Sea Of Madness"! ...(sorry had to throw a Iron Maiden reference pun in here somewhere?!)

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=941875

[Trussrod]

Love it! Great work! Keep sharing as this progresses...

[JacksonGrinder]

Bro! That is indeed sick. All done by hand? Will a finish be applied? Will it run? Details please as the build progresses.

Also, you should've been playing some Primus - Sailing the Seas of Cheese. Ha!

Yes, all done by hand! A small & large Ruler and a Circle Template really helped. Unless you have the freakish talent of drawing perfect circles.....which I don't have! If I can do this,YOU can do this cause I'm not an artist that draws all day or has a natural talent like Dan Lawrence....

Ha! .....Dam, how could I have forgot Primus!

[JacksonGrinder]

That is so awesome!~ Interested to know what you used to draw it ect as well, the dashed trade routes i can imagine would be a pita, excellent work!


yeah you should submit that to warmoths user made gallery as well for sure.

Thanks, Trem! I just posted details on how I did this. Oh man, trade routes and mountains are where you really fall asleep....

Oh yeah?! Almost forgot about the Warmoth Gallery? Thanks for reminding me...

[Ward]

It's been said plenty already, but that is awesome. Great work, looks like a pro job.

Please post pics as you go forward!

[RobRR]

That is phenominal, AWESOME work man! Id like to give that a try myself, Im pretty good with a pen so maybe Ill have at it some day.

And what, no Maiden - Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner?!?! Its not sea-worthy without that song!