The Art of Inlay: Design and Technique for Fine Woodworking

Rating:
Summary: A Master Craftsman
Review: I should start out this review by confessing that I'm biased. I own a custom guitar on which Larry Robertson did the inlay work. Since I'm one of those people who gets very involved in the design of anything that interests me, Larry and I had quite a few talks about what I wanted and how things would be done. This was an educational experience that was worth the price of entry itself, and the result never fails to amaze me.

What convinced me to approach Robinson about the work was the content of this small, but impressive volume. It is one thing to know that a craftsman is a master by reputation, and another to see the evidence in print before you. In my opinion Larry is the U.S.'s premier master of inlay, only surpassed on this continent by Grit Laskin, a Canadian Luthier who does it all, and very well.

The technical portion of this book is excellent. Robinson's written style is so straightforward that my first reaction was that he was leaving something out. But he really doesn't. Between the text and the illustrations, there is enough information and inspiration to last through more than a rack full of guitars. Whether you are a luthier trying to make something special, or a connoisseur of the guitar and its relatives, this book belongs on your shelfs.

Rating:
Summary: A Master Craftsman
Review: I should start out this review by confessing that I'm biased. I own a custom guitar on which Larry Robertson did the inlay work. Since I'm one of those people who gets very involved in the design of anything that interests me, Larry and I had quite a few talks about what I wanted and how things would be done. This was an educational experience that was worth the price of entry itself, and the result never fails to amaze me.

What convinced me to approach Robinson about the work was the content of this small, but impressive volume. It is one thing to know that a craftsman is a master by reputation, and another to see the evidence in print before you. In my opinion Larry is the U.S.'s premier master of inlay, only surpassed on this continent by Grit Laskin, a Canadian Luthier who does it all, and very well.

The technical portion of this book is excellent. Robinson's written style is so straightforward that my first reaction was that he was leaving something out. But he really doesn't. Between the text and the illustrations, there is enough information and inspiration to last through more than a rack full of guitars. Whether you are a luthier trying to make something special, or a connoisseur of the guitar and its relatives, this book belongs on your shelfs.

Rating:
Summary: Great for beginners
Review: I'm beginning to build guitars and wanted to do inlay work which was a little more intricate than simple pearl dots. The writer explains the process completely. The book also has many photos showing incredible inlay art which serves as inspiration for detailed guitar fingerboard art as well as inspiration for inlay art not associated with instuments. I've never even wanted to build a jewelry box with inlay and marquetry. Now I'm inpired to do just that. Good book.

Rating:
Summary: Written with the touch of a true master who loves his work.
Review: Robinson's book on the Art of Inlay is terrific and instructive in two aspects. First, the examples of his inlays are beautiful and bound to give the beginning and even advanced students many ideas. Second, the instructive content and presentation are first rate. It is easy to see in Larry's lucid explanations, that he is an excellent teacher who has organized and presented his material in a way to make it easily accessible to students at all levels. While I bought the book to learn how to inlay a guitar fingerboard and peghead, Larry has given me many ideas on other forms of the art of inlay. I strongly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: concerns differences between the soft and hardcover editions
Review: The softcover (second printing) edition contains the same material as the hardcover (first printing) edition does. The only changes were to the front and back cover photos, one word in the foreword, and my bio in the back. Also, the book is less expensive now that it's in softcover.

Rating:
Summary: Great introduction - want more!
Review: This book is unquestionably a fine collection of the author's work, which is beautiful, and a fantastic book for giving you a start on the process of inlay. Robinson's writing is excellent, as clear as you could get. And his sequence of coverage makes a lot of sense, too. This is a very good introduction to the possibilities and the process of inlay and if that's what you are looking for then it is worth buying.
But I gave it 4 stars because the book focuses only on his own work and because the promise of "design and technique" is not fully actualized. It's just that one would appreciate somewhat more depth of coverage, adding information on "pitfalls" in addition to "process", as well as a more comprehensive look at other people's possibilities in design. And, I would have really loved to have had some very close up photographs of inlay details, and even photographs of "bad" work and mistakes for reference. In that case, this would be a classic on the topic. It's probably more work than his intention of writing this book, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy a new edition if that were the case, and as a fellow artisan I would truly appreciate it. How about it, Robinson?