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Fret Inlay Alternatives

Posted by Dave Onastik on March 15, 2010 at 7:20am in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

I've read a few posts about using hole punch to cut a small circle out of a guitar pick and use it as a fret inlay.

 

I was looking for some other alternatives.  I read somewhere else that you could actually use solder to fill an inlay hole in a fretboard.  Has anybody ever tried this.

 

I also saw a post about using inlace, and wondered if there was a simple epoxy resin available at a hardware store that would work the same.  It would have to be sandable.  What would be really cool is if there is a clear epoxy resin that dries hard, but you could mix in some model paint (Testors) while it is still in it's soft state to change the color.

 

Thanks for any suggestions.

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Replies

  • BenBob May 18, 2010 at 1:15am
    I guess the guitar layout does correspond with first 4 harmonic nodes. E.g. for an A string:

    1/2 string: 12th fret, A, root
    1/3 string: 7th fret, E, fifth
    1/4 string: 5th fret, A, root
    1/5 string: 9th fret, G#, maj 7th
    1/6 string: ~3rd fret, E, fifth

    At that point the harmonics are getting too weak and hard to find unless you're doing random electric pick squeals.

    Interesting, I knew my main guitar (a Larrivee) has no markers on the ebony, but I just looked at it and noticed for the first time that it has no 3rd marker on the side of the neck; only 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, and 15th. I don't remember ever missing it though.
  • The Phrygian Kid March 16, 2010 at 1:36am
    Thanks... :D
    but...
    not even close..
    neither a guitar or a mandolin is built to have any of their strings tuned to c... so the scale is hardly going to start on the 'one'

    If you consider that the 'bass' string on a mando is a 'G', the answer holds true.. the marker is at fret #10 rather than #11, this is the difference between the keys of C & G.. (F)
    but the 9th fret on an 'E' string is a C#.. this is where it all falls apart..

    perhaps i didnt make myself clear enough..
    and as I said, I doubt the answer anyway

    Michael Gajeski said:
    Well, I know that they aren't marking a major scale. If they were, they would be marked on 2 4 5 7 9 11 12.
    Jef Long said:
    I have another riddle about dot markers for you...

    have you ever noticed that the 'dot' (or other) markings are not in entirely consistent places when you compare a mando type instrument to a guitar to a banjo etc?? eg a guitar has one at fret nine, where a mando has it at #10...this troubled me quite a bit when i first got a mando..

    I was told a few years ago after asking a master luthier that the dots actually mark out the c major scale, nothing more, but I'm not sure thats entirely true either..

    If anybody can explain the thinking to me I'd love to hear it..
  • THENUGE March 15, 2010 at 9:45pm
    i use a 1/4 plug cutter to make my postion markers, and drill the fretboard with a 1/4 inch forstner bit. i glue the position markers in with wood glue and sand flush..it is easy and looks good to imho
  • Nathan King March 15, 2010 at 9:12pm
    In regard to mixing the epoxy dust, you can mix in some wood dust (I'd reckon a contrasting wood would look best), or try getting a mortar and pestle and grind up some pretty stones. I've got a buddy who does some nice turquoise dust/epoxy work on the worm holes in his wooden sculptures.
  • Wade March 15, 2010 at 9:00pm
    How about taking a piece of old junk furniture that has a nice top laminate and "pop" dots out of that with a hole puncher? I got some free scraps from a cabinet maker.
    Another member uses plastic bristles from a dollar store comb for the side markers. I like to use the center stud of my pop rivets.- they're soft and easy to work with.
  • Dave Onastik March 15, 2010 at 8:42pm
    Thanks for all the great ideas. Tonight I did some experiments with solder, plumbers putty, and JB Weld. The best and easiest results came from the solder. I'll post a pic or two later in the week.
  • Michael Gajeski March 15, 2010 at 7:51pm
    Well, I know that they aren't marking a major scale. If they were, they would be marked on 2 4 5 7 9 11 12.

    Jef Long said:
    I have another riddle about dot markers for you...

    have you ever noticed that the 'dot' (or other) markings are not in entirely consistent places when you compare a mando type instrument to a guitar to a banjo etc?? eg a guitar has one at fret nine, where a mando has it at #10...

    this troubled me quite a bit when i first got a mando..

    I was told a few years ago after asking a master luthier that the dots actually mark out the c major scale, nothing more, but I'm not sure thats entirely true either..

    If anybody can explain the thinking to me I'd love to hear it..
  • MikeBoy March 15, 2010 at 2:07pm
    I used white/perl buttons for my last build. They were the kind that have the loop on the back. Drilled out just enough on the fretboard to push them flush.
    239753146?profile=original
    https://api.ning.com/files/UezSyBTVEuwhXqZF3X40JfULEO7bACEUP7WZRPOVO...
  • Hip Bone Bellaire March 15, 2010 at 2:01pm
    I've been thinking about this as well do to me needing some frets... HO train tracks and glue in place!

  • KaptnKen March 15, 2010 at 12:18pm
    I've been using spent small pistol primers for the side dot inlays on my last 2 builds. Drill just deep enough so the tops are flush and you've got shiny brass dots! You can see them on the pics of my second...need to get photos of #3 up soon.
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