Guitar Autographing: Pen Type???....

Subject: Guitar Autographing: Pen Type???....
From: Bobert
Date: 16 Jul 04 - 08:26 PM

I've been giving the ol' Martin more and more home time and gigging with a Hohner acoustic. It plays just fine but seeing as it's a cheapie (less than $400 with elctric pickup) I was thinkin' of getting some of my musican friends to affix their autographs to it.

What kind of pen works best? It has to be a perminent ink that won't bleed once the autograph dries. And since I'm going to continue gigging with it, I would like an ink that is somewhat durable.

Other than "Don't do it" any suggestions as to what kind of pen is usually used for doing this?

Bobert

Subject: RE: Guitar Autographing: Pen Type???....
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 16 Jul 04 - 08:35 PM

Sanford has a permanent laundry marker called, I believe, "Rub-a-Dub". It should work just fine.

Subject: RE: Guitar Autographing: Pen Type???....
From: michaelr
Date: 16 Jul 04 - 08:38 PM

Well, "don't do it" is my first, second and third response... :-)

But if you're determined, use a paint marker, like metal workers do. It looks like a magic marker but contains enamel paint (I think) and should be plenty durable.

(I do think autographed guitars look abused and ugly, though.)

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Guitar Autographing: Pen Type???....
From:
Date: 16 Jul 04 - 08:39 PM

I would recommend the same pen which can be used to sign right on the actual CD, a Sharpie. It comes in different colours as well as thicknesses.

If you want a really big signature, use one of the largest ones. For CDs, I recommend the thinest, but most times you can use the standard Sharpie. Note, the standard Sharpie also comes in a Silver colour which can write on CDs with dark ink on the surface.

Note that the Sharpie is SAFE on CDs and doesn't eat through to the back side. Not ALL permanent ink markers are safe. You'll notice many performers sign with these. Plus you can get them just about anywhere. The Standard Black ones are even in the Dollar Stores. Most office supply stores have them. I've even seen them in the drug stores.

Sharpie/Sandford Ink Corp.

Subject: RE: Guitar Autographing: Pen Type???....
From: open mike
Date: 16 Jul 04 - 09:18 PM

sharpies do come in a rainbow of colors now...but why?
How about you have them autograph in a book?!
http://www.sharpie.com/sanford/consumer/sharpie/index.jhtml
http://www.sharpie.com/sanford/consumer/sharpie/index.jhtml;jsessionid=K0EEASAVOXR0ECQHUCBCGWQKA4QGIIY4?_requestid=12156

Subject: RE: Guitar Autographing: Pen Type???....
From: Bobert
Date: 16 Jul 04 - 09:23 PM

Well, Michael...

I respect yer opinion but, hey, I've given it a lot of thought... I ain't gonna like let just anyopne sign the danged thing but this week I'm gonna be down in Elkins and by buddy Sparky Rucker will be there, along with John Cephas and Phil Wiggins. Throw in Sparkey's wife, Rhonda and a few other old friends and, hey, it will be nice havin' them to carry 'round with me the rest of they year...

Hey, it's a cheapie, dangit...

Bobert

Subject: RE: Guitar Autographing: Pen Type???....
From: Bert
Date: 16 Jul 04 - 10:13 PM

Use a Sharpie, but MOST important, clean the polish off first.

Subject: RE: Guitar Autographing: Pen Type???....
From: Bobert
Date: 16 Jul 04 - 10:28 PM

Shoot, Bert! How do ya' do that? I ain't nevr put nuthin' on it cept an oil cloth once in a while.... You ain't sayin' I gotta go get some strippin' stuff, are ya? Danged! I start wid that stuff an' next thing ya know I'll have me a ruined cheapie guitar...

Bobert

Subject: RE: Guitar Autographing: Pen Type???....
From: Bert
Date: 16 Jul 04 - 10:39 PM

Soap and water should do, but if there's any oil or polish on it the pen won't be permanent.

Subject: RE: Guitar Autographing: Pen Type???....
From: Bobert
Date: 16 Jul 04 - 10:51 PM

Whew! I was hopin' that you weren't gonnna say paint striper... Soap and water? Yeah...

Thanks,

Bobert

Subject: RE: Guitar Autographing: Pen Type???....
From: Mudlark
Date: 17 Jul 04 - 01:24 PM

Id be tempted to have Cepus and Wiggens sign my new cheapie Hohner (slightly over $200, with case) too, if I were in your shoes Bobert! Have fun in Elkins!

Subject: RE: Guitar Autographing: Pen Type???....
From: Bill D
Date: 17 Jul 04 - 02:37 PM

I'd like to own the fiddle that Mark O'Conner painted white many years ago and carried around for a long time, getting famous fiddlers to sign! (I watched him at about age 16 get Lyman Enloe and a couple others at Winfield) and ...I noted he did NOT play that one on stage....so a cheapo guitar is a good way to go,,,and if it is still good for jamming, fine!

Subject: RE: Guitar Autographing: Pen Type???....
From: Mark Cohen
Date: 17 Jul 04 - 03:42 PM

Don't let 'em grind you down, Bob-o!   Go ahead and do it if you want to! Be your own man! Right on!

(As far as cleaning it, I'd recommend gentle cycle, cool wash, cold rinse, and either Dreft or Ivory Snow. Line dry, of course.)

Aloha,
Mark

PS John Cephas and Phil Wiggins were at the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop in 1989, and they were fantastic, especially in the all-night jams. My girlfriend was there with me, and she spent most of the week flirting with Phil. (They may be married now, for all I know.)

Subject: RE: Guitar Autographing: Pen Type???....
From: Bobert
Date: 17 Jul 04 - 09:13 PM

Well, Mark, I know them both from Blues Week but...

....about 2 months ago Phil showed up at Archie Edwards Barber Shop in D.C. where I play blues just about every Saturday afternoon. It was early and it was just Phil, his wife Judy, me and Mike Baytop, whose turn it was to open up... So, I said to Phil, "Ahhhh, you know I'd really like to do a couple songs with you before the crowd comes in." So he pulled out his harps and accompanied me on a couple songs that I usually don't play down there, Blind Lemon Jefferson's "Please Keep MY Grave Kept Clean" and an original "Butermilk Blues"... He gave me an approvin' nod at the end of each of them...

As fir John, maybe next year I'll go back to Blues Week and take advanced afternoon class just to hang with him... Like John Jackson, who I did get to play with, he is such a fine person and these older guys aihn't gonna be with us forever, dangit.

There were 3 German guys at the BarberShop today and one of them had autographs on his guitar. I couldn't read some but I remember very well Guy Davis's and Charlie Musslewhites'...

Bobert