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Thread: Changing fretboard inlays

  1. #1

    Default Changing fretboard inlays

    I've always liked the look of no-inlay fretboards. Since my Eastman already has them, it seems like I might be more successful in replacing the white dots with black.

    Anybody have any tips? Am I crazy for even wanting to try?

  2. #2
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Changing fretboard inlays

    Tilt the fingerboard so you can’t see it while playing, or generally stop looking at your left hand. Cheap and easy unless the knowledge of inlays impacts you.

    I don’t think you could invisibly replace the dots but maybe someone with more skill than me could.
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  4. #3

    Default Re: Changing fretboard inlays

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill McCall View Post
    Tilt the fingerboard so you can’t see it while playing, or generally stop looking at your left hand. Cheap and easy unless the knowledge of inlays impacts you.

    I don’t think you could invisibly replace the dots but maybe someone with more skill than me could.
    Ha! Agree with the "don't look at your left hand" sentiment.

    Really early on, some electric guitarist I was into had a guitar with one pickup, one knob, and no inlays on an ebony board. I'm pretty sure the guitar body was a really plain, natural finish. I've always loved that understated look, and felt like maybe replicating that (minus the pickup and volume knob). Maybe I'll wait until I take a crack at refretting it...

  5. #4
    Registered User Drew Streip's Avatar
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    Default Re: Changing fretboard inlays

    If your fretboard is the same as my 515, it's a really uniformly dense black surface. You might try buying an ebony veneer and cutting out dots, making sure that the grain direction aligns. Then re-dye the whole thing with some lampblack to further hide any witness lines?

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  7. #5
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Changing fretboard inlays

    Just read the part about fixing the old inlay spot on this page from Frank Ford's www.frets.com.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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  9. #6

    Default Re: Changing fretboard inlays

    Thanks guys!

  10. #7

    Default Re: Changing fretboard inlays

    Position markers aren't necessarily only for the player. If you play in a band or teach, the markers can provide a reference for others to know what you're doing -- just sayin...

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