VW - GUITARS - BEACH - VOLLEYBALL - SUN - FUN

The MOKANA® brand is all about The Art of Wood and Tone in the context of GUITARS - HAWAII - BEACH - VOLLETBALL - SUN - FUN.

Part of the MOKANA® brand is a band of animated characters called the MOKANA® ROKSTERZ or the MOKANA® KIDZ.

The context or the story setting for THE ROKSTERZ is a small town called La'ie. I like to call it La'ie Way. La'ie [LAH EE EH] is a real town and was even featured in the movie "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" when the two main characters jumped off of La'ie Point into the beautiful teal green and blue ocean. The very same exact point that they leaped into the air is where I would park my ride and look out over the ocean.

This little guy is known as THE MOKANA® KID:

Validating the VW bus Radius SWAG

So after finding some contour profile charts for the side of a VW bus I thought I would compare my SWAG against the published technical data and I found out that my approach was pretty darn close. I took the technical contour and enlarged it so that I would be close to comparing apples to apples. The chart is in imperial inches and all my original work is done in the more accurate metric system so I think I was pretty darn close. Compare for your self. Purple is my SWAG and the green is the contour chart.

Stumbling upon VINTAGE BUS

I am a firm believer that the World Wide Web is the greatest equalizer ever invented by man. On the opposite side of the equation, the greatest energy sucking device ever invented is the television.

What I mean by both of these statements is that if an individual has the courage to take action, to pull himself or herself away from the trending television program of the day, and has the desire to pursue something, has the persistence to learn what must be learned to accomplish some great goal, the World Wide Web, or the internet, is the great equalizer as it is the largest source of information and knowledge ever created. All you have to do is keep going and going like an energizer bunny until you have garnered all the knowledge that you need in order to accomplish something. Combine that garnered knowledge with action and you can achieve great things.

My previous post was all about SWAGGING the measurements for the radius of the sides of a VW bus. After I put all that effort out I continued surfing the web looking and looking for more information and was elated when I came across VINTAGE BUS


On this website there were several technical drawings. Check these images out:

Reverse Engineering the Front View of a 1961 VW Bus in AutoCAD and 3DsMax

Doing a Google search for blue prints for a Volkswagen (VW) bus will provide a bounty of viable options to explore. I lean towards the 1967 and earlier models as it was in 1968 that major changes occurred that removed the small roof windows down along the sides.

I must put up a huge disclaimer for all those folks that are absolute VW Bus fanatics. The depth of knowledge I have of this German marvel of engineering innovation is quite limited. My knowledge of the VW bus is mostly comprised of memories; some not so good memories and some really great ones.

I have a not so fond memory of a yellow one VW bus, probably a 1972 vintage, of which my mother would utilize to haul bales of hay and alfalfa for Arabian horses she had no business having in her possession. This was during a time frame before I moved to Hawaii. More warm and cozy memories developed after my move to the islands and even there I was more a driver than a crazed VW aficionado junky.

But if there ever was a path to becoming a VW aficionado it is the process of creating THE MOKANA® ROKSTERZ™. The more I delve into the science of reverse engineering the limited blue prints available out on the net, and looking up close at the intricacies of this mechanical marvel, I am moving closer to being in the market as it were for a delivery windowless model. I have not yet been chased off at gun point by the owners of all the VW buses I have stopped at to take a look and to touch the paint and body structure. Maybe one day, when I see the one I have been looking for, I will have to offer the owner a bounty for his ride.

I do have one set of fond memories of when I was a kid regarding a delivery model. My oldest half brother had purchased a white windowless delivery model. He drove it up to Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood, 60 miles east of Sandy Oregon. It was there that the engine over heated and broke down. He made it home, recruited me; a non licensed 14-15 year old kid that had more courage than brains. We drove up to the lodge in his humongous Dodge Power wagon, latched a flimsy thread of a tow cable to the front of the VW bus, put me behind the wheel of this soon to be speeding bullet and off we went. The ride back home was extremely exciting as the distance between the back of the two ton power wagon and this speeding white bullet was about 15 feet. We made the trip in the middle of the night and I can still close my eyes and see the red tail lights of that awesome power wagon just off the nose of that VW bus.

Let’s get back to doing some reverse engineering.

If you look at this photo as I did (btw – I got this off the net and I would give attribution if I knew where the heck I had gotten it from), the one thing that was clear to me was that although some models look just like a brick with rounded corners, there is a definite RADIUS to the interior of this 1961 Volkswagen model.



So if there is a radius to the shell of this 1961 model how do we determine what that radius is? What would be really sweet is to have a set of blue prints with the dimensions on it. HAH! Like that is going to happen! But I did scour the net and I did find a set of very readable blues prints with limited engineering dimensions. You can find the same blue prints for free over at the :THE-BLUEPRINTS.COM website.

Now that I have some baseline measurements, I was able to make a SWAG (Scientific Wild A?? Guess) at the radius and these are the steps I used to find the radius, or at least a radius that I felt would allow me to model and create the ROKSTERZ RIDE.

First take a look at the base line meassurement provided in this blue print:



One of the first things they drill into you while taking AutoCAD classes is that everything is drawn 1:1, that means draw it to real life meassurements. If the hieght of the 1961 VW bus is 1890 millimeters, then draw it to the actual hieght of 1890 millimeters, and that is exactly what I did. But I had to blow up the image to match the exact baseline meassurements and this is the front view of the 1961 model I took and enlarged from the base drawing:



I then plugged the above image into AutoCAD and using the arch tool and other techniques I was able to come up with pretty close to real life dimensions:



The left dimensions are from a base line created from the bottom intersection of the two circles. The right dimensions are the dimensions that match the technical drawings, i.e. 1890 millimeters is the hieght of the 1961 VW bus, from bottom of the wheels (848 mm up from baseline) to the top of the roof (2738 mm up from the baseline)

Here is what AutoCAD looked like with the full image of the FRONT VIEW plugged in:



Looking back at the image above of the interior, it appears to me that the radius is smooth and is in one complete piece. However, when you look at the technical drawing it appears as if the radius stops below the windows and then the windows go up at the angle indicated in my SWAG. This front view black and white picture seems to confirm this (I again apologize for the lack of attribution - if this is your picture - sorry):



When you look at this image of a stolen 1965 VW recently recovered in the Spokane, Washington area after more than three decades, you can clearly see that the passenger door has a radius up to the window and then the window is angled up to the roof while the side barn doors have a complete radius from top to bottom.

THE MOKANA® ROKSTERZ - Creating The Bus (aka Da Bus)

On the Islands of Hawaii, public transportation is simply referred to as "The Bus" or in colloquial island pigeon, "Da Bus".

The whole concept behind THE MOKANA ROKSTERZ is to recreate life on the North Shore of Oahu, not the biggest island by far, but surely the most populated island out of all the Hawaiian Islands.

Some really awesome rides can be found cruising around the North Shore of Oahu and the MOKANA® ROKSTERZ would not be complete without its own set of coolio rides upon which many a surf board is can be clinging to.

In this photo can you guess what type of ROKSTERZ RIDE is being developed? THE MOKANA® ROKSTERZ is being developed in 3D utilizing various 3D modeling and animation software tools such as AutoDesk’s 3DsMax and AutoCAD. In this photo here, three separate solid models have been created to form the main structure of a bus. Can you guess what model of bus is being created?

THE MOKANA® MAN

Sometimes works of art move slow and sometimes they move fast. When you are in this business I think you have to really develop a pervasive sense of patience. Sometimes it takes forever to get the right colors that speak the right tones that represent what it is that resides deep within your soul that you are diligently and persistently attempting to express.

THE MOKANA® MAN is one such concept or work of art. The original idea for THE MOKANA® MAN did not come from me but from a Master Artist whose name remains silent for now, but not for long. I came up with THE ORIGINAL MOKANA® GIRL, THE MOKANA® GIRL and THE MOKANA® KIDS concepts, but was completely surprised when I was presented with the MOKANA® MAN concept. The MOKANA® MAN is the ICON of the diligent work being put behind the creation of the entire MOKANA® brand of products.

Mathematical Marvel and Precision of Design

There is something special about the making of a guitar by hand. There is an intimacy that is expressed with each and every detailed caress of the various fine tone woods that are used in the making of musical instruments. If one delves into the mechanics of a musical instrument, one will find that it is a scientific and mathematical marvel blessed to us from the grand creator of all things pleasing to the ear. The various frets positioned from the nut to the bridge are not placed at random, but in response to an applied mathematical formula with a great deal of decimal precision.

Perhaps as equally and opposite to the wonders of the making of a guitar by hand are the inconsistencies innate in such a method. Perhaps – from time to time – even the greatest virtuoso performer of today and yesteryear missed the exact location upon which a note would sound out its perfect tone as he or she moved the hand up and down the fret board.

With today’s advanced technology, and the ability to apply such technology, a particular look and feel of any given guitar can be created via Computer Aided Design (CAD) programs like AutoCAD and SolidWorks. A simple search of the web will provide a plethora of AutoCAD DWG files of every popular guitar of today, from Gibson to Fender to PRS, from Martin to Taylor, and everything in between.
The look and feel can be designed in a CAD program but can a CAD program determine what tone will be produced if a measure of wood is removed from one particular location or is the tradeoff for having a consistent look and feel an inconsistent tone?

Designing the look and feel of a musical instrument in a CAD program is one thing and applying that design into the actual creation of a final product is quite another. A CAD program is just the beginning of the creation process, well, actually perhaps second to the artistic or creative process. Without a computer-aided manufacturing or CAM program, the creative design remains mere bits and bytes tucked away on a hard drive in the form of CAD drawings. Without a precisely designed Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine that will convert the converted CAM generated code into mechanical rotary and linear motion, reality will remain far from the conceptual. When all the dots are connected; Artistic Creationism, CAD Design, CAM conversion, CNC mechanical repetitive and precise motion, does the desired result become achievable.

Keeping the “hands” involved along with the “intimacy” or “heart” is an even more rarefied and significantly important distinction when considering a musical instrument selected to express the thoughts and feelings tucked deep within your soul. Would you prefer an Exceptionally Crafted Product as Equally Unique as you are or one that is mass produced?

MOKANA®: Updating online magazine The Art of Wood and Tone

MOKANA® has republished previous articles as it updates The Art of Wood and Tone online magazine. Articles may not show original publish dates.

USPTO invalidates Fender® Precision Bass® Trademark: SN 76516127

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) assigned serial number 76516127 to the Trademark application filed on April 25, 2003 by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) located at 8860 E. Chaparral Road, Suite 100 in Scottsdale Arizona. FMIC sought Trademark protection for the Fender Precision Bass® body style design.

In the application, FMIC claimed that first use occurred in 1954. The year 2003 minus the year 1954 equals a forty-nine (49) year lapse of good judgment regarding possible Trademark protection. On March 25, 2009, the USPTO rejected FMIC’s application for a Trademark for the Precision Bass® body design shown by the Mark Drawing Code in the application. The Precision Bass® word mark Trademark application, serial number 72314187, was filed by Columbia Broadcasting System Incorporated (CBS) on December 11, 1968. The USPTO granted this Trademark on January 13, 1970 to CBS which then subsequently assigned it to Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC). The Precision Bass® word mark Trademark remains in effect and was not part of the action or holding opined by the USPTO.

Leo Fender, the father of the electric guitar, was born on August 10, 1909 in Buena Park, California and died in Fullerton, California on March 21, 1991. Leo Fender founded Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company in 1946 and sold it to Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) nineteen years later in 1965. The Precision Bass® Trademark application pursued by CBS was not initiated until three years after the acquisition of Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company. In 1985, employees purchased the company and renamed it Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC). Fender Musical Instruments Corporation did not pursue the body design Trademark until twenty-four (24) years after the acquisition of Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company from CBS.

Management of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, far removed from the manufacturing facilities that are located in Corona, California, Ensenada, Baja Mexico, Japan and Asia.

FMIC is equally removed from those initial seeds planted and grown by Clarence Leo Fender back in 1946. Only the original body shapes remain as the behemoth stature of today’s FMIC was formed in part by the acquisition of other musical instrument related companies such as the Guild Guitar Company (originally founded in New York, New York in 1953, then moved to Westerly, Rhode Island where Guild remained for thirty years until FMIC purchased it in 1995 and moved operations to Corona, California, then to Tacoma, Washington and now close to it original roots in New Hartford, Connecticut), Tacoma Guitars, the Sunn Amplifier Company, SWR Sound Corporation and the Kaman Music Corporation (Bloomfield, Connecticut) which owns Ovation and also maintains the exclusive worldwide distributorship of Takamine guitars and Gretsch Drums.

According to an FMIC website, FMIC's U.S. facilities are located in Arizona, California, Washington and Tennessee, with international facilities in Mexico, England, Germany, France, Spain, Sweden and Japan. FMIC owns the following registered Trademarks: Fender®, Squier®, Guild®, Gretsch®, Jackson®, Charvel®, SWR®, Tacoma®, Olympia® and Orpheum®.

USPTO invalidates Fender® Telecaster® Trademark: SN 76515928

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) assigned serial number 76515928 to the Trademark application filed on April 25, 2003 by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) located at 8860 E. Chaparral Road, Suite 100 in Scottsdale Arizona. FMIC sought Trademark protection for the Fender Telecaster® body style design.

In the application, FMIC claimed that first use occurred in 1949. The year 2003 minus the year 1949 equals a fifty-four (54) year lapse of good judgment regarding possible Trademark protection. On March 25, 2009, the USPTO rejected FMIC’s application for a Trademark for the Telecaster® body design shown by the Mark Drawing Code in the application. The Telecaster® word mark Trademark application, serial number 72314199, was filed by Columbia Broadcasting System Incorporated (CBS) on December 11, 1968. The USPTO granted this Trademark on June 24, 1969 to CBS which then subsequently assigned it to Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC). The Telecaster® word mark Trademark remains in effect and was not part of the action or holding opined by the USPTO.

Leo Fender, the father of the electric guitar, was born on August 10, 1909 in Buena Park, California and died in Fullerton, California on March 21, 1991. Leo Fender founded Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company in 1946 and sold it to Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) nineteen years later in 1965. The Telecaster® Trademark application pursued by CBS was not initiated until three years after the acquisition of Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company. In 1985, employees purchased the company and renamed it Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC). Fender Musical Instruments Corporation did not pursue the body design Trademark until twenty-four (24) years after the acquisition of Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company from CBS.

Management of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, far removed from the manufacturing facilities that are located in Corona, California, Ensenada, Baja Mexico, Japan and Asia.

FMIC is equally removed from those initial seeds planted and grown by Clarence Leo Fender back in 1946. Only the original body shapes remain as the behemoth stature of today’s FMIC was formed in part by the acquisition of other musical instrument related companies such as the Guild Guitar Company (originally founded in New York, New York in 1953, then moved to Westerly, Rhode Island where Guild remained for thirty years until FMIC purchased it in 1995 and moved operations to Corona, California, then to Tacoma, Washington and now close to it original roots in New Hartford, Connecticut), Tacoma Guitars, the Sunn Amplifier Company, SWR Sound Corporation and the Kaman Music Corporation (Bloomfield, Connecticut) which owns Ovation and also maintains the exclusive worldwide distributorship of Takamine guitars and Gretsch Drums.

According to an FMIC website, FMIC's U.S. facilities are located in Arizona, California, Washington and Tennessee, with international facilities in Mexico, England, Germany, France, Spain, Sweden and Japan. FMIC owns the following registered Trademarks: Fender®, Squier®, Guild®, Gretsch®, Jackson®, Charvel®, SWR®, Tacoma®, Olympia® and Orpheum®.

USPTO invalidates Fender® Stratocaster® Trademark: SN 76516126

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) assigned serial number 76516126 to the Trademark application filed on April 25, 2003 by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) located at 8860 E. Chaparral Road, Suite 100 in Scottsdale Arizona. FMIC sought Trademark protection for the Fender Stratocaster® body style design.

In the application, FMIC claimed that first use occurred in 1954. The year 2003 minus the year 1954 equals a forty-nine year lapse of good judgment regarding possible Trademark protection. On March 25, 2009, the USPTO rejected FMIC’s application for a Trademark for the Stratocaster® body design shown by the Mark Drawing Code in the application. The Stratocaster® word mark Trademark application, serial number 0839997, was filed by Columbia Broadcasting System Incorporated (CBS) on April 28, 1967. The USPTO granted this Trademark on December 5, 1967 to CBS which then subsequently assigned it to Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC). The Stratocaster® word mark Trademark remains in effect and was not part of the action or holding opined by the USPTO.

Leo Fender, the father of the electric guitar, was born on August 10, 1909 in Buena Park, California and died in Fullerton, California on March 21, 1991. Leo Fender founded Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company in 1946 and sold it to Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) nineteen years later in 1965. The Stratocaster® Trademark application pursued by CBS was not initiated until two years after the acquisition of Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company. In 1985, employees purchased the company and renamed it Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC). Fender Musical Instruments Corporation did not pursue the body design Trademark until twenty-four (24) years after the acquisition of Fender Electric Instrument Manufacturing Company from CBS.

Management of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, far removed from the manufacturing facilities that are located in Corona, California, Ensenada, Baja Mexico, Japan and Asia.

FMIC is equally removed from those initial seeds planted and grown by Clarence Leo Fender back in 1946. Only the original body shapes remain as the behemoth stature of today’s FMIC was formed in part by the acquisition of other musical instrument related companies such as the Guild Guitar Company (originally founded in New York, New York in 1953, then moved to Westerly, Rhode Island where Guild remained for thirty years until FMIC purchased it in 1995 and moved operations to Corona, California, then to Tacoma, Washington and now close to it original roots in New Hartford, Connecticut), Tacoma Guitars, the Sunn Amplifier Company, SWR Sound Corporation and the Kaman Music Corporation (Bloomfield, Connecticut) which owns Ovation and also maintains the exclusive worldwide distributorship of Takamine guitars and Gretsch Drums.

According to an FMIC website, FMIC's U.S. facilities are located in Arizona, California, Washington and Tennessee, with international facilities in Mexico, England, Germany, France, Spain, Sweden and Japan. FMIC owns the following registered Trademarks: Fender®, Squier®, Guild®, Gretsch®, Jackson®, Charvel®, SWR®, Tacoma®, Olympia® and Orpheum®.

MOKANA®: Becoming a Fan on Facebook

If you would like to show your support for the MOKANA® brand of GUITARS by becoming a fan on Facebook, you can do so by clicking on this link:

MOKANA® Facebook Fan Page

Or you can join the MOKANA® GUITARS group by clicking this link:

MOKANA® Facebook Group Page

Mahalo nui loa for your support!

MOKANA