Couldn't call it a western strap if it didn't have initials in it...
much less likely some ass is going to steal it at the ol' blooz jam
I don't have a whole lot of experience with the sheridan style carving, but there's only one way I know of to get it...
Skull here is looking kinda cute... hopefully when I'm done it will be a little more badass - funny how I see spots I missed with the beveller now in the photos... which is largely the only tool I'm using right now
Overall, the design it beginning to take form as expected. this took about four hours, including the carving in -still got quite a bit to go... taking a break until later tonight... back in the coffee can it goes! Many more pics on the F-book if you find me there.
(Don't Fear) TVvoodoo's Insanitarium
Endless source of eye-rolling dad jokes, aspiring empty-nester, custom strap-maker https://reverb.com/ca/shop/well-hung-guitar-accessories
First off this morning lets start with something to fire up the senses a little bit...
Cash me ou'side, how 'bou dat? BOOM! Better than coffee!
The House Stark strap had been sitting in the Reverb store for probably over a year waiting for adoption. So glad it found this sweet, sweet burst owned by a Tone Rooms regular. More importantly, a rare fellow Saskatchewanian customer! WOW! Get this, he also has a wine red LP Custom on the way... wants me to strap that one as well. Watch out for more like the above. I always ask customers to send me pics, not always expecting pics like this, but when they showcase like this, great bonus!
So, couple more hours work and pics of the ongoing battle with the gunfighter... this morning cuts &d lifts. Here is where we raise up parts of the rose petal to give them a bit more 3Dness, and put little edge cuts on the edges of the rose leaves, some simple vein cuts in side the leaves and some little pokes to give a thorny effect on the branches.
Is it the best Sheridan carve ever. Not even close.. but for an amateur at it, I have learned a load of stuff on this, the next will be better in almost every way. Now messaging the owner about dye options as we let it dry out form all the tooling. He initially wanted black black black. Once he saw the pattern he was thinking about some soft green and red dyes and an overall antiquey brown western look.
If I mess that up? We can always revert to black black and black.
Cash me ou'side, how 'bou dat? BOOM! Better than coffee!
The House Stark strap had been sitting in the Reverb store for probably over a year waiting for adoption. So glad it found this sweet, sweet burst owned by a Tone Rooms regular. More importantly, a rare fellow Saskatchewanian customer! WOW! Get this, he also has a wine red LP Custom on the way... wants me to strap that one as well. Watch out for more like the above. I always ask customers to send me pics, not always expecting pics like this, but when they showcase like this, great bonus!
So, couple more hours work and pics of the ongoing battle with the gunfighter... this morning cuts &d lifts. Here is where we raise up parts of the rose petal to give them a bit more 3Dness, and put little edge cuts on the edges of the rose leaves, some simple vein cuts in side the leaves and some little pokes to give a thorny effect on the branches.
Is it the best Sheridan carve ever. Not even close.. but for an amateur at it, I have learned a load of stuff on this, the next will be better in almost every way. Now messaging the owner about dye options as we let it dry out form all the tooling. He initially wanted black black black. Once he saw the pattern he was thinking about some soft green and red dyes and an overall antiquey brown western look.
If I mess that up? We can always revert to black black and black.
Endless source of eye-rolling dad jokes, aspiring empty-nester, custom strap-maker https://reverb.com/ca/shop/well-hung-guitar-accessories
- Rollin Hand
- Reactions:
- Posts: 1438
- Joined: Wed May 27, 2020 1:38 pm
That's some niiiiiiice leatherwork there.
"I'm not a sore loser. It's just that I prefer to win, and when I don't, I get furious."
- Ron Swanson
- Ron Swanson
There was a bit of a dye disaster yesterday, not going to bother showing those pics here, plenty more over at well... y'know, the thing.
Managed to save the project and it's back on track via cussin', prayin', elbow grease and dangerous chemicals, taking it from shit-can worthy to here.
After all the drama... leatherwork mostly finished... got it all oiled, buffed and antiqued, and shiny with two coats of resolene and it's dry enough for me to work with it again. Put my meager math talents to work, mark marks and chisel that beautiful smooth shiny leather all to hell.
I don't have a teeny slot punch, so I hafta improvomise. Necessity is the mother of... you know the thing.
Couple of punches about 3mm apart (that's metric talk for about 1/8th inch). Round out the corners kind of with a small punch. Don't matter if these are not super pretty, they'll be covered up later.
Start adding some leather loops. For some reason about the diameter of .44, which to my eye is about the diameter of this here file handle. Unfortunately most of us Canadians don't have a lotta handgun boolettes rattling around our cars, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, garages, patios, and church pulpits like y'alls do.
So, we hafta make pretend.
Thing is for, a "kind of a big deal" guy like Johnny over on the Tone Rooms. He has to be 100% ready when he's out and about. "Preparation is the key to being prepared" said my dad probably sometime before. Lotta young, lonely and pretty ladies need autographing on various parts of theys bodies, like, foreheads, arms, chests, big 'ol bottoms, and even uh... you know, the thing...C'mon, man!
They just crave the attention of a cowboy kind of guy like ol' Johnny. Wanna see if they can try'n buck him off.
Also, Sharpies are real handy if you need to jot down the phone number real quick, never know when a fella is in the mood for a booty call down the road. Couple of rivets went into each end of the bullet loop leather, to secure it . I hope it's the right size! I chose thinner leather with a bit of stretch to it so should be able to squeeze the proper ordinance in there. Hope six will be enough. Careful what you get into Johnny. Keep your head on a swivel.
After this loopy assembly was done, I got the buckle attached securely on the backend, no pics. Made the tail strap, no pics, put the padding inside, no pics and attached the lining on the back, no pics. But I do have one more strap pic right here for ya...
Sewing begins. We are getting close!
Annnnnd... a how about a bonus shot. And what a bonus!
Calloo! Callay! A Jabberwock has been slain, and now adorns this manxome LP custom. Oh, frabjous day!
if this don't take your breath away a little bit, you are dead inside.
Managed to save the project and it's back on track via cussin', prayin', elbow grease and dangerous chemicals, taking it from shit-can worthy to here.
After all the drama... leatherwork mostly finished... got it all oiled, buffed and antiqued, and shiny with two coats of resolene and it's dry enough for me to work with it again. Put my meager math talents to work, mark marks and chisel that beautiful smooth shiny leather all to hell.
I don't have a teeny slot punch, so I hafta improvomise. Necessity is the mother of... you know the thing.
Couple of punches about 3mm apart (that's metric talk for about 1/8th inch). Round out the corners kind of with a small punch. Don't matter if these are not super pretty, they'll be covered up later.
Start adding some leather loops. For some reason about the diameter of .44, which to my eye is about the diameter of this here file handle. Unfortunately most of us Canadians don't have a lotta handgun boolettes rattling around our cars, bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, garages, patios, and church pulpits like y'alls do.
So, we hafta make pretend.
Thing is for, a "kind of a big deal" guy like Johnny over on the Tone Rooms. He has to be 100% ready when he's out and about. "Preparation is the key to being prepared" said my dad probably sometime before. Lotta young, lonely and pretty ladies need autographing on various parts of theys bodies, like, foreheads, arms, chests, big 'ol bottoms, and even uh... you know, the thing...C'mon, man!
They just crave the attention of a cowboy kind of guy like ol' Johnny. Wanna see if they can try'n buck him off.
Also, Sharpies are real handy if you need to jot down the phone number real quick, never know when a fella is in the mood for a booty call down the road. Couple of rivets went into each end of the bullet loop leather, to secure it . I hope it's the right size! I chose thinner leather with a bit of stretch to it so should be able to squeeze the proper ordinance in there. Hope six will be enough. Careful what you get into Johnny. Keep your head on a swivel.
After this loopy assembly was done, I got the buckle attached securely on the backend, no pics. Made the tail strap, no pics, put the padding inside, no pics and attached the lining on the back, no pics. But I do have one more strap pic right here for ya...
Sewing begins. We are getting close!
Annnnnd... a how about a bonus shot. And what a bonus!
Calloo! Callay! A Jabberwock has been slain, and now adorns this manxome LP custom. Oh, frabjous day!
if this don't take your breath away a little bit, you are dead inside.
Endless source of eye-rolling dad jokes, aspiring empty-nester, custom strap-maker https://reverb.com/ca/shop/well-hung-guitar-accessories
The Gunfighter is on the open trail, fixin' to make some trouble out in Oregon.
Lotta work putting these videos together, guitar pickin', whistlin, convincing my son to make whiplash sound FX LOL!!!
If you have a hankerin' to maybe share it with any of your cool guitarin' friends on the socials, I'd be very much obliged.
It's kind of important to me.
Lotta work putting these videos together, guitar pickin', whistlin, convincing my son to make whiplash sound FX LOL!!!
If you have a hankerin' to maybe share it with any of your cool guitarin' friends on the socials, I'd be very much obliged.
It's kind of important to me.
Endless source of eye-rolling dad jokes, aspiring empty-nester, custom strap-maker https://reverb.com/ca/shop/well-hung-guitar-accessories
- nomadh
- Reactions:
- Posts: 1745
- Joined: Wed May 27, 2020 1:32 pm
- Gearlist: My Gear:Electric
Gibson '13 studio dlx hsb
Gibson '79 flying V
Gibson '06 sg faded
Gibson '15 LP CM w gforce
Epiphone Casino coupe
Epiphone dot studio
Fender USA strat w mjt body _w Original body 81
Fender lead II
Firefly spalted 338
Squier affinity tele bsb
Squier strat std relic
Squier subsonic baritone
Agile al2500 albino
Agile al3001 hsb
Sx ash Ltd strat
Sx ash strat short scale
Sx ash tele
Sx callisto jr
Dean vendetta
Washburn firebird. Ps10
Johnson trans red strat
Johnson jazz box Vegas
Seville explorer
Inlaid tele
flametop bigsby tele wood inlaid neck
23
Acoustics
new Eastman acoustic
Sigma dm3 dread x2 (his and hers)
Fender 12 str
Ibanez exotic wood
Silvercreek rosewood 00
Ovation steel str
martin backpacker acoustic
Johnson dobro
Wouldn't it be nice if you could get paid what you're worth? You need to start hanging out with rock and country stars more.
All you AGF groovies are just about enough Rock Star for me. I mix in that fast crowd, I'm liable to be back doing some of the same bad shit I managed to escape back in my 20s
Endless source of eye-rolling dad jokes, aspiring empty-nester, custom strap-maker https://reverb.com/ca/shop/well-hung-guitar-accessories
Ace of Spades #2 is complete!
Figured I'd try to go with a tobacco sunburst kind of thing. Pretty successful! Black edges, fade into brown to an amber center bolt of badassitude! padded, goes up to about 57" long.
I used my relatively new 2-ton arbor press from Grizzly to stamp the skulls in. Still learning and tweaking some things, but this one did not make my arm hurt for two days after I finished getting all them Ace/skulls pounded in, and better impressions too.
Made a few more "The Devil's Leash" seems to be a steady seller. Also new in the store... Medusa, a No Prisoners original!
Figured I'd try to go with a tobacco sunburst kind of thing. Pretty successful! Black edges, fade into brown to an amber center bolt of badassitude! padded, goes up to about 57" long.
I used my relatively new 2-ton arbor press from Grizzly to stamp the skulls in. Still learning and tweaking some things, but this one did not make my arm hurt for two days after I finished getting all them Ace/skulls pounded in, and better impressions too.
Made a few more "The Devil's Leash" seems to be a steady seller. Also new in the store... Medusa, a No Prisoners original!
Endless source of eye-rolling dad jokes, aspiring empty-nester, custom strap-maker https://reverb.com/ca/shop/well-hung-guitar-accessories
[mention]Chocol8[/mention] They are some generic pick from an asian outfit, but I agree too I really love them too. They just have the right "weight" or amount of give to them or something... I really lucked out on them. You are not the first to mention this. If It carries on I might have to make a big order and start bundling the damn things! I think last time ordered 500 of them, I have less than a couple hundred left, because I am too damn generous with them as swag, but really that's what they are for. I like the glow ones just a bit better than the pearloids.
Endless source of eye-rolling dad jokes, aspiring empty-nester, custom strap-maker https://reverb.com/ca/shop/well-hung-guitar-accessories
Tyrion Lannister's preferred deathbed situation: "80 years old with a bellyful of wine and, uh, ... you know, the thing."
the strap called Tyrion, which has been in the Well-Hung store for far too long, has finally found a home on this ho-hum 335
the strap called Tyrion, which has been in the Well-Hung store for far too long, has finally found a home on this ho-hum 335
Endless source of eye-rolling dad jokes, aspiring empty-nester, custom strap-maker https://reverb.com/ca/shop/well-hung-guitar-accessories
Dammit!!!! I ask one simple question and your answer only gives me more questions!
[looks around to make sure wife is not lurking] So, how much would a 500 pick pack cost if a customer with mental issues decided to tag on to your next major order?
Also, now I have to dig back through my swag drawers and see if I have any of the glow picks. The ones I have been playing are perloid. They are a great weight with perfect stiffness and feel, and most importantly, they produce a tone that is superior to other picks. What do the glow ones look like? Some sort of alien green?
[looks around to make sure wife is not lurking] So, how much would a 500 pick pack cost if a customer with mental issues decided to tag on to your next major order?
Also, now I have to dig back through my swag drawers and see if I have any of the glow picks. The ones I have been playing are perloid. They are a great weight with perfect stiffness and feel, and most importantly, they produce a tone that is superior to other picks. What do the glow ones look like? Some sort of alien green?
My friend, just checked back.... works out to about 20 cents each, not including shipping costs, so $100 plus.Chocol8 wrote: ↑Fri Sep 18, 2020 7:04 pm Dammit!!!! I ask one simple question and your answer only gives me more questions!
[looks around to make sure wife is not lurking] So, how much would a 500 pick pack cost if a customer with mental issues decided to tag on to your next major order?
Also, now I have to dig back through my swag drawers and see if I have any of the glow picks. The ones I have been playing are perloid. They are a great weight with perfect stiffness and feel, and most importantly, they produce a tone that is superior to other picks. What do the glow ones look like? Some sort of alien green?
Might be even less expensive without printing. but you absolutely need Chocol8 pics with a picture of your grinning face on it that you can throw out to the adoring masses, or leave on the floor of all the nastiest public restrooms in town
and I think it's probably the Well-hung strap producing those superior tones, not the picks.
Endless source of eye-rolling dad jokes, aspiring empty-nester, custom strap-maker https://reverb.com/ca/shop/well-hung-guitar-accessories
First off, If I get my own custom picks, I want them to say Well-Hung on one side with my phone number on the back, so all the hot fans/groupies I hand them out to will know who to call for a good time, and what kind of good time to expect!
Second, it is definitely not JUST the strap(s) that are creating the tone. I have had the straps a lot longer than I have been using the swag picks. Pick material and design definitely changes tone, especially when you play clean through something like a Fender Twin.
Thanks for the pick. That green glow one looks familiar enough, I must have at least one. Locating it might be a bit of a challenge but I will keep my eyes peeled.
Second, it is definitely not JUST the strap(s) that are creating the tone. I have had the straps a lot longer than I have been using the swag picks. Pick material and design definitely changes tone, especially when you play clean through something like a Fender Twin.
Thanks for the pick. That green glow one looks familiar enough, I must have at least one. Locating it might be a bit of a challenge but I will keep my eyes peeled.
- fullonshred
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- Posts: 505
- Joined: Wed May 27, 2020 1:41 pm
Looks sooooo good. I kind of like the wistful looking skull amongst the flowers.TVvoodoo wrote: ↑Sat Aug 29, 2020 6:07 pm Couldn't call it a western strap if it didn't have initials in it...
much less likely some ass is going to steal it at the ol' blooz jam
I don't have a whole lot of experience with the sheridan style carving, but there's only one way I know of to get it...
Skull here is looking kinda cute... hopefully when I'm done it will be a little more badass - funny how I see spots I missed with the beveller now in the photos... which is largely the only tool I'm using right now
Overall, the design it beginning to take form as expected. this took about four hours, including the carving in -still got quite a bit to go... taking a break until later tonight... back in the coffee can it goes! Many more pics on the F-book if you find me there.
- fullonshred
- Reactions:
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- Joined: Wed May 27, 2020 1:41 pm
Really Nice strap and extra nice 335.
The quote above brings to mind a good older friend of mine who was a real character. He boarded horses for rich wimmen as he called them, among his many other money making pursuits.
In his 60s and 70s he would come up talking on the phone and when he hung up would say "That's my girlfriend from the horse barn". When asked if not worried that his wife would find out he would reply "Naw I'm not worried she knows about this one. I just hope she doesn't find out about the other two". He would often say "I'm gonna live to a hunnerd and ten and die killed in bed by some jealous old man".
Sadly for him, he did not make it. He passed at 79 after several serious health problems.
Couple new things in the pipeline... in the No Prisoners Theme...
"Zircon" was crafted for an infamous wealthy super-villain, but he got defeated last night so won't be playing guitar for awhile
Not yet in the store, first to be seen here is "Ghonukk"
There is a real long and good discussion going on the TDPRI right now about "strap Preferences." https://www.tdpri.com/threads/strap-pre ... 173/page-3 - sure would be a thing is if there was a well-hung AGF/TDPRI member who could come up with a nice word or two, a link to my store and drop this video in that thread for something to look at.
Maybe even mention the Well-Hung guy tvvvoodoo is a TDPRI brother-member, yadda-yadda... well that fine person could probably earn a few Endorserment ballots (first one gets 'em), and maybe even a T-shirt if they don't got one already.
"Zircon" was crafted for an infamous wealthy super-villain, but he got defeated last night so won't be playing guitar for awhile
Not yet in the store, first to be seen here is "Ghonukk"
There is a real long and good discussion going on the TDPRI right now about "strap Preferences." https://www.tdpri.com/threads/strap-pre ... 173/page-3 - sure would be a thing is if there was a well-hung AGF/TDPRI member who could come up with a nice word or two, a link to my store and drop this video in that thread for something to look at.
Maybe even mention the Well-Hung guy tvvvoodoo is a TDPRI brother-member, yadda-yadda... well that fine person could probably earn a few Endorserment ballots (first one gets 'em), and maybe even a T-shirt if they don't got one already.
Endless source of eye-rolling dad jokes, aspiring empty-nester, custom strap-maker https://reverb.com/ca/shop/well-hung-guitar-accessories
I hadn't looked through your shop for a bit - holy shit!
I love the Ace of Spades strap. Dye job turned out really well on that one.
I'll look into the TDPRI thread. After all... I do have some nice things to say about your work.
I love the Ace of Spades strap. Dye job turned out really well on that one.
I'll look into the TDPRI thread. After all... I do have some nice things to say about your work.
"What is this place? Where am I?"
[mention]rrobbone[/mention] your kind post there made my whole day yesterday R. All those guys talking about their amazing ernie ball and planet waves straps. Sheesh, it's like they never bothered to try anything else, because if they did...
The Well-Hung Reverb store is getting decently full, trying to reach a hundred straps in stock by years' end. Been doing this pretty much full time and from spring until about halfway through Aaugust I was shipping nearly as fast as I was building, and getting custom work too - but things have settled down quite a bit for September, for good and bad. Don't miss working for the man too much, but I put plenty of pressure on my ownself too - I've been my own boss before, he can be a dick. Just keep building, keep thinking, creating, trying stuff, right-pricing, controlling costs... placating my wife... The forward-looking uncertainties of the so-called starving artist life can grind a fella down. Putting extra effort towards developing a base presence on F-book, making videos, etc. Trying instagram can't really figure out how it works. Not bearing fruit yet, but the old "Field of Dreams" whisper keeps telling me to put energy in that direction. A very friendly guitar community called The Tone Rooms has been also quite welcoming, great bunch of fellas. Much like AGF, independent thinkers, independently owned. Few there are seeing the value of a robust strap. Thing is, once I can get one into a household, about half the buyers will want another, maybe one in five will purchase several. With guitar sales setting many records over the past six months, it is my hope many of those starter pack straps will be thrown aside for quality.
I do wonder if some recent changes reverb made are hurting my presence. I get the distinct feeling the platform is favouring the large players who have promotional budgets and bigger profit margins on the goods. They can buy better placement with the new bump paradigm, maybe Reverb is becoming Amazon for gear, and the small guys will get left with table scraps. The other side s, I am shipping two straps to Australia tomorrow, and Reverb is what makes sales like that even possible.
I dunno... thinking out loud here. I fully 100% appreciate my AGF homies. Couldn't be here doing this without y'alls, so it's all your fault LOL!
The Well-Hung Reverb store is getting decently full, trying to reach a hundred straps in stock by years' end. Been doing this pretty much full time and from spring until about halfway through Aaugust I was shipping nearly as fast as I was building, and getting custom work too - but things have settled down quite a bit for September, for good and bad. Don't miss working for the man too much, but I put plenty of pressure on my ownself too - I've been my own boss before, he can be a dick. Just keep building, keep thinking, creating, trying stuff, right-pricing, controlling costs... placating my wife... The forward-looking uncertainties of the so-called starving artist life can grind a fella down. Putting extra effort towards developing a base presence on F-book, making videos, etc. Trying instagram can't really figure out how it works. Not bearing fruit yet, but the old "Field of Dreams" whisper keeps telling me to put energy in that direction. A very friendly guitar community called The Tone Rooms has been also quite welcoming, great bunch of fellas. Much like AGF, independent thinkers, independently owned. Few there are seeing the value of a robust strap. Thing is, once I can get one into a household, about half the buyers will want another, maybe one in five will purchase several. With guitar sales setting many records over the past six months, it is my hope many of those starter pack straps will be thrown aside for quality.
I do wonder if some recent changes reverb made are hurting my presence. I get the distinct feeling the platform is favouring the large players who have promotional budgets and bigger profit margins on the goods. They can buy better placement with the new bump paradigm, maybe Reverb is becoming Amazon for gear, and the small guys will get left with table scraps. The other side s, I am shipping two straps to Australia tomorrow, and Reverb is what makes sales like that even possible.
I dunno... thinking out loud here. I fully 100% appreciate my AGF homies. Couldn't be here doing this without y'alls, so it's all your fault LOL!
Endless source of eye-rolling dad jokes, aspiring empty-nester, custom strap-maker https://reverb.com/ca/shop/well-hung-guitar-accessories
Of course, it's no problem. Please let me know if I can help.TVvoodoo wrote: ↑Sun Sep 20, 2020 10:59 pm @rrobbone your kind post there made my whole day yesterday R. All those guys talking about their amazing ernie ball and planet waves straps. Sheesh, it's like they never bothered to try anything else, because if they did...
The Well-Hung Reverb store is getting decently full, trying to reach a hundred straps in stock by years' end. Been doing this pretty much full time and from spring until about halfway through Aaugust I was shipping nearly as fast as I was building, and getting custom work too - but things have settled down quite a bit for September, for good and bad. Don't miss working for the man too much, but I put plenty of pressure on my ownself too - I've been my own boss before, he can be a dick. Just keep building, keep thinking, creating, trying stuff, right-pricing, controlling costs... placating my wife... The forward-looking uncertainties of the so-called starving artist life can grind a fella down. Putting extra effort towards developing a base presence on F-book, making videos, etc. Trying instagram can't really figure out how it works. Not bearing fruit yet, but the old "Field of Dreams" whisper keeps telling me to put energy in that direction. A very friendly guitar community called The Tone Rooms has been also quite welcoming, great bunch of fellas. Much like AGF, independent thinkers, independently owned. Few there are seeing the value of a robust strap. Thing is, once I can get one into a household, about half the buyers will want another, maybe one in five will purchase several. With guitar sales setting many records over the past six months, it is my hope many of those starter pack straps will be thrown aside for quality.
I do wonder if some recent changes reverb made are hurting my presence. I get the distinct feeling the platform is favouring the large players who have promotional budgets and bigger profit margins on the goods. They can buy better placement with the new bump paradigm, maybe Reverb is becoming Amazon for gear, and the small guys will get left with table scraps. The other side s, I am shipping two straps to Australia tomorrow, and Reverb is what makes sales like that even possible.
I dunno... thinking out loud here. I fully 100% appreciate my AGF homies. Couldn't be here doing this without y'alls, so it's all your fault LOL!
Reading through that thread, I don't think it's really occurred to most of them that a custom strap is such a good place for individuality. They talk like they might not know such a thing exists. This isn't any sort of slight on them, it just hasn't dawned on them. Pointing your shop out should get some eyeballs over there, and hopefully something puts a splinter in their mind that itches until they buy.
When I said, "holy shit" the other day, I meant that I was seriously impressed by how much you've upped your game. I haven't been haunting the forum as much this summer, and while I knew you were learning leatherwork - I had no idea how quickly you've improved. Those look amazing.
I see that you've done all the stuff you're supposed to do with an online shop - like have a lot of inventory, provide items at all price points, take solid pics, etc., so I have nothing to suggest there - except to say that I take advantage of the "bump" feature. I only do it on older listings, and only for small amounts at first - going to the next tier as time goes by. Even if the "bumped" item still doesn't move, it gets eyeballs on your page - where they can buy full price stuff. I hate giving money back to Reverb, but I've seen that it does drive shop views. They can't buy from you if they can't see you. Give it a few chances.
I can't say how much the Etsy buyout has affected my sales yet, since almost all my stuff moved before the takeover. I haven't noticed any drop in listing views on what I have left, so going by that alone - not much difference. Ask me again at Xmas.
Speaking of: do you have a shop on other sites? Etsy? Ebay?
If you're going at this full time, then you definitely need to utilize social media. I do it on Facebook and Instagram, and it's responsilble for a lot of traffic in my shop. I only do Insta when I'm building, I'm not consistent at all. My FB page is just a straight identical post sent over from Insta with a link to the shop. In fact, I've really just half-assed it and I've seen that it really drives traffic. I've been watching a bunch of YT vids on this, and the consensus seems to be that it needs to be central to any ad strategy. Your straps are eye catching and you take nice pics - and Insta is a visual app. It's a no-brainer: post something daily, twice a day or more if you can. If you can't think of something to post - just document something.
Show a little bit of who you are and what you like to do - personality goes a very long way because people are naturally curious, they like to know who they are buying from. You are ahead of the game here, buddy. The sheets you send with the straps and little stories that come with the purchases (not to mention the Insanitarium) are proof that your sense of humor will serve you well for this. You have the tools to entertain people, and that will help a ton - but only if you start posting so we can all see you. You'll hear the phrase "Building your brand" a lot. This is just "social media expert speak" for let us get to know you. Don't pitch the straps - pitch yourself.
A little fact - you're already building a social media presence... right here. Post Insanitarium-type stuff on all the socials. You're already putting in the work to keep us informed and entertained here - so fuck it, why not on Insta too?
Also, timing is important. I find that I get the most interaction if I post around 3-5pm local. That puts the 4-hour timezone window close to the work whistle for most. I also have seen good returns from setting up posts to run at 6am local (MST). People are (please excuse the lack of decorum) surfing the socials while on the throne at that time.
I've been reading about and watching YT vids about social media a lot because I'd like to eventually make a living from music. Now it occurs to me I should make a better go of the whole Neckbolt thing, even if just for the social media practice.
Watch a dude called Garyvee on YT. He talks about this (and himself, unfortunately) at length. He makes a lot of sense.
I put on his vids and listen while I draw up new Neckbolt trouble... lots of good promotional ideas...
"What is this place? Where am I?"
- nomadh
- Reactions:
- Posts: 1745
- Joined: Wed May 27, 2020 1:32 pm
- Gearlist: My Gear:Electric
Gibson '13 studio dlx hsb
Gibson '79 flying V
Gibson '06 sg faded
Gibson '15 LP CM w gforce
Epiphone Casino coupe
Epiphone dot studio
Fender USA strat w mjt body _w Original body 81
Fender lead II
Firefly spalted 338
Squier affinity tele bsb
Squier strat std relic
Squier subsonic baritone
Agile al2500 albino
Agile al3001 hsb
Sx ash Ltd strat
Sx ash strat short scale
Sx ash tele
Sx callisto jr
Dean vendetta
Washburn firebird. Ps10
Johnson trans red strat
Johnson jazz box Vegas
Seville explorer
Inlaid tele
flametop bigsby tele wood inlaid neck
23
Acoustics
new Eastman acoustic
Sigma dm3 dread x2 (his and hers)
Fender 12 str
Ibanez exotic wood
Silvercreek rosewood 00
Ovation steel str
martin backpacker acoustic
Johnson dobro
I piled on in the thread in tdpri. Posted some pics of samples. I wish you had that cool collection picture somewhere on your store front page. You had a good one somewhere.
You guys are beasts. R. There is much to unpack there but I appreciate your time and effort... and you know any time you need reciprocation, HIT ME UP. I've had a whole life career based around traditional sales and advertising... but not all skills transfer directly to the socials.
@nomadh you are one seriously crazy mofo, and I love ya! O-M-G
@nomadh you are one seriously crazy mofo, and I love ya! O-M-G
Endless source of eye-rolling dad jokes, aspiring empty-nester, custom strap-maker https://reverb.com/ca/shop/well-hung-guitar-accessories
Recent thread on TGP featuring grape coloured guitars got me thinking. Today in the StrapLab I dug deep and used up some more black leather. Inspired by a classic rock band, (though I doubt if any of you could guess which one).
According to Sheb, this was a nice part of the hide of a genuine alien Purple People-Eater. Thankfully, the jobs of thousands of tootally-dootelly sax players remain safe due to his bravery.
According to Sheb, this was a nice part of the hide of a genuine alien Purple People-Eater. Thankfully, the jobs of thousands of tootally-dootelly sax players remain safe due to his bravery.
Endless source of eye-rolling dad jokes, aspiring empty-nester, custom strap-maker https://reverb.com/ca/shop/well-hung-guitar-accessories
New to the Reverb boutique this morning legendary Sauguerties embroidery, The Devil's Leash "Triple Damn" version. Real beautiful if I do say so myself.
Buttery grey/brown leather, alternate patterned vintagey ribbon. Interesting how this one seems to go with so many guitars easily but not look "matchy/matchy" with any.
Also look for "Grey Ray" just having photos processed, maybe up in the store later tonight. Black leather, grey stingray pattern/texture on top.
Be a cool silverburst kind of strap I think. Would sling one in supreme luxury also.
Buttery grey/brown leather, alternate patterned vintagey ribbon. Interesting how this one seems to go with so many guitars easily but not look "matchy/matchy" with any.
Also look for "Grey Ray" just having photos processed, maybe up in the store later tonight. Black leather, grey stingray pattern/texture on top.
Be a cool silverburst kind of strap I think. Would sling one in supreme luxury also.
Endless source of eye-rolling dad jokes, aspiring empty-nester, custom strap-maker https://reverb.com/ca/shop/well-hung-guitar-accessories