Some pictures I've collected for you to document the building of your Tribute:  

 

 

 

  I'll keep you posted as interesting things happen.

Which came first?   Here's Susan's original concept sketch she whipped out in a few minutes while Gregg was visiting:

 This is the Grateful Hen  The line art took a bit longer to draw:

 With a comb  

 Without a comb.  Which one do you like better?  I'll work a mock up with an egg-shaped lid, though I fear it may complete with the oval egg inlays. We'll see!

Here's the inlays "in process"  

 The bones are all cut, but just loosely layed out on an Ebony board here. They are not in their finished arrangement. Also, Mike suggested doing the beak and the toes in yellow mother of pearl - they turned out great.  Here's a couple of rough skteches for an alternate longer comb:  

 

  Just let Susan know if you want to keep with the one currently on the inlay or if yoou want to make a change. When Mike cut the comb, he did make it a little larger than the original desgin, we just need to know if you want it larger still.   Here's the rose at the same state:

Here's how we'd like the add the egg in the design:
 

 
with part of the shell crossing over the silver outline of the oval onto the ebony part of the oval. Please let us know your thoughts.

Here's the rough sketch of the eggs for the fingerboard:
 

 
We're fond of the idea with the egg down at the tailpiece end with the chicken progressing to a newly hatched chick at the nut end of the fingerboard. Also thinking of adding a little striped top hat for the 3rd fret inlay - held in his little wing, tipped to greet his new day.

Here's the egg/grass area of the medallion inlay:

  and the not yet inlaid inlays:

 

Mom sneaked in the drying room and peeled away a little of the fingerboard tape so you could see the hatchlings inlaid:

  Plus, I don't think you've seen the medallion in place with most of the finish:

That's as cool as it gets!

Another inlay masterpiece! I am so impressed with the incredible motion and rhythm of this image. Grateful Hen - Swingin' Chicken - I love it.
 
Tom

Beautiful!
Given the pendant, rose and coxcomb, I'd suggest Little Dead Rooster
 
Mike

Mike,
Ouch!  Good one!

Let me see if I understand how this works.  All you have to do is think up the name of an appropriate GD bird song, right?
 
 
Bill, the guitar one

Complete!

I'm pretty sure you will receive this on Friday. I'll ask mary to get you the tracking details tomorrow.

Very Impressive!! What a beautiful guitar. Another work of art from the folks at Alembic. =D
 
Tom

WOW!