A Southwestern Fingerboard
This is a three part exercise in inlay. All three parts, the headstock, the fingerboard, and the bridge have southwestern themes to them.
The headstock with its buffalo skull in an Indian stylized circle consists of seven pieces, four of which are abalone and three of which are pearl. They fit together quite nicely, don’t you think ?
The fingerboard has a steer skull in the 1st fret, a Kokopeli in the 3rd fret, two thunderbirds in the 5th fret, geometric designs (Navaho ?) in the 7th and 9th frets, two buffalo skulls in the 12th fret, and more geometric designs in the 15th and 17th frets.
Here’s the steer’s head.
Kokopeli (3rd fret) is a mischievous Hopi deity, who presides over fertility, children and agriculture. He is known to be a trickster.
The thunderbirds in the 5th fret have their place in many Indian legends, including those of the Pima Indians, the Yaqui Indians, the Sioux and others. They told of a giant bird whose wings created thunder and whose beaks emitted lightning.
Here’s a picture of the 7th, 9th, and 12th frets – different but all with a southwestern theme.
Finally, the bridge has a pair of pearl wolves baying at the sky. Sort of goes with the territory. Here’s a a closeup of one of the wolves.