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ZipFlex is world’s
first and only flexible purfling strip
made from genuine abalone or pearl. It
was created in the demanding, real-world
environment of Kevin Ryan Guitars as an
answer to the technical challenges posed
by inlaying abalone (and other shell
species) into the trim of guitars and
other musical instruments.
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It has long been a tradition in the
guitar-building world to adorn hi-end
guitars with abalone or pearl edging.
The look of inlaid shell is dramatic,
lovely as can be and highly sought
after. But it has been the province of
large factories or experienced custom
builders who had the technical know-how
to do these inlays. And novice and
less-experienced builders sometimes
could be discouraged from attempting
these inlays because they seemed too
involved or labor-intensive. |
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ZipFlex changes all of this. It is
genuine shell (abalone, pearl, oyster,
etc) but it has been manufactured in a
highly technical process to be flexible
enough to make inlaying shell edging a
snap for factories, solo builders,
novices and hobby builders all. It has
been hailed as a revolution in the
evolution of guitar building. |
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There has never been anything like
ZipFlex. From its introduction in its
initial format (as Flexab) it has taken
the inlay world by storm and is now in
use in factories around the globe and by
many of the world’s finest small shops
and solo builders. |
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The development of ZipFlex (patent
pending) began in 2006 and was finally
completed in 2009. The manufacturing
process involves CNCs, a hi-tech laser,
proprietary 3M products (developed in
concert with the great technical reps of
3M), 3 years of intense research (with
many set backs but also many triumphs)
and one significant and immense
technical breakthrough that brought
about a brand new technology for cutting
shell. |
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The result is an inlay product that is
intricate and elaborate in its design
and manufacture but sublime in its
simplicity to use. ZipFlex transforms
this task and makes inlaying lovely
abalone accessible to every builder,
regardless of skill level or experience.
And the factories love the fact that it
has reduced the time it takes to inlay a
soundboard with abalone to 1/10th of
what it was before. In this current
economic atmosphere of intense
competition, this is a very welcome
thing indeed for factories that are ever
looking to improve margins and offer
value to their clients. |
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Each ZipFlex strip is 15” long and there
are currently 11 styles of shell to
choose from, ensuring that no matter
your project and the woods you are
using, there is a ZipFlex shell that is
perfect for you. Because the segments
are each 15” long, it will take 4 strips
to inlay a typical soundboard, even for
a large jumbo. The strips are flexible
enough to negotiate tight cutaways and
narrow waists but they are stout enough
to make handling and inlaying them very
easy, even a joy. (Check on the ZipFlex
product page for more information
including an extensive FAQ and tutorial
on installation.) |
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Because there is no need for the extra
step of creating a Teflon channel for
the shell, installing ZipFlex is a
breeze. And because you no longer need
to break shell strips into tiny pieces,
the savings in time with ZipFlex is
substantial. ZipFlex can be installed
right along with the purflings and
binding in one simple step. |
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So I invite you to read through the FAQ
on ZipFlex (almost a tutorial in its own
right), wander around the ZipFlex
gallery and then order a ZipFlex set
(blue paua is particularly stunning) to
transform how you inlay abalone. |
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Click here to see Pricing for
ZipFlex |
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Click
here to see currently available shell
types |
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For more information
about ZipFlex and other AST innovations,
please call us directly at 866.200.3772
or 714.379.0975
or email us at
sales@advancedshelltech.com |
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