IMF Group

Hello,

I'm Silvia Manrique, Director of Collections at The Wolfsonian–FIU in Miami Beach. We're planning a resonator guitar exhibition and would appreciate the group's input on a specific mounting challenge.

The exhibition will include guitars displayed three ways: wall-mounted (both vertical and horizontal orientations), in free-standing cases, and -the pieces I'm seeking guidance on- guitars mounted against clear acrylic panels and viewable from both front and back. Most of the guitars in this last category will be oriented vertically, and I'm picturing something along the lines of a two-pronged cradle/saddle, similar to commercial guitar-stand mounts, but built to museum standards and as unobtrusive as possible.

A few questions for the group:

1. Do you have examples of clip or mount designs for this kind of dual-sided viewing that are minimally visible/unobtrusive?

2. What's the preferred method for attaching a mount to an acrylic panel for an object this size and weight? We are thinking pressure-fit or drilled and threaded inserts but not sure what's the best approach.

3. Do you have photos or links to past examples of mounts/clips like these, ideally for guitars or similar stringed instruments that you are willing to share?

4. Can anyone recommend mount makers with specific experience mounting musical instruments on or against acrylic?

Thank you in advance for any guidance. I know this is a fairly specific application and would value the group's collective experience.

Best,

Silvia Manrique

Florida International University

Assistant Director, Collections + Conservator

The Wolfsonian-FIU

1001 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139

P: (801) 635-7570

Website: https://www.wolfsonian.org