GFI "Colored" Fret Boards

[Jim Eller]

I just pick up a 2007 GFI SD-10 Ultra. After playing Emmons with colored fret markers and nearing 70, I find it uncomfortable and somewhat difficult to read the GFI black and white fret board.

So, I had this brilliant idea. I have a couple of new Emmons fret boards so i will just put a little double sided tape on one and set it on top of the GFI board. NOT!! Apparently the scale is a different length.

So the question is, does someone make colored fret board for a GFI Ultra?

Thanks.

[Mike Perlowin]

I also iike different colored fret markers, and MSAs come only in red and white. So I created a photoshop document consisting of different colored squares, and printed it on transparent label paper. Then I cut the squares down to size, and put them over the fret markers.

Voila. Colored fret markers.

[Michael Silk]

I slipped a putty knife under my old Sierra black and white fretboard and pried it off. Studied one of, (I think Benzian's) guitars for a good colour scheme, got out my acrylic paints and painted mine of which I'm fairly happy with. Then I applied some glue, slipped it back in place and using some shims twixt the strings and weight on top over night,.. I think it looks pretty good.
I really liked one of David Hartley's with the little tear-drops,.. but my Sierra already had the design of elongated diamonds so I just filled them in with bright colours and I'm happy.
. . Mike

[Dennis Wood]

I used yellow and green sharpie permanent markers. If you don't like the colors, a bit of lacquer thinner or acetone on a cloth will wipe the color off.

[Joey Ace]

Hi Jim,
I just double-side taped a Sho-Bud fretboard on top of my GFI board. That was 6 years ago and it hasn't had a problem. I never liked the GFI fretboard design, just a personal taste thing. I also removed the front logos and glued them onto the underside. Both mods can be easily reversed, if the need arises.

I find it easier on the mind and reflexes to have the same style fretboard on different guitars.

[Jim Eller]

I'm willing to try the Sharpie thing but tell me again the acetone and lacquer thinner doesn't harm the original board if I change my mind!!

I don't mind sticking things on the board either, IF I know I can get it back off without making a mess of the original fret board.

Hey Joey - It's been awhile since we've met in person. Haven't been back to a Michigan show in a long while. Or, St. Louis for that matter.
I'm with you on the mind and reflexes thing. That's why I had that brilliant idea of sticking the Emmons board on there. That is, until I found out the fret lines didn't match up.
I don't really mind the ShoBud thing. Where do you get the board?

JimE

[Ollin Landers]

Dale has some great tips on GFI mods.

He uses a normal highlighter pen. Claims it wipes right off.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TriNEV7ZOCg

I personally own one of Dale's Slide cars and the pedal brackets. They are top quality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqoIuXEnUFE

[Joey Ace]

Sorry to say they are no longer in stock, or available, from SGC where I got them for my Carter and GFI.

I also have a 1970 Emmons that has the original fretboard.
I can't change that. Putting a 'Bud fretboard on an Emmons would cause an unforeseeable disruption in The Force

Besides, those Emmons atoms are way cool.

[Mike Perlowin]

I've been told that the Emmons scale length is 24&1/4 inches, and the Sho-Bud is 24. Apparently the CFI is also 24.

You are right Joey, the Emmons atoms are very cool.

[Dennis Wood]

just moisten a cloth with the thinner, don't saturate the fretboard.
try a small spot before doing the whole thing.

[John Billings]

At Performance, we got some complaints about the colored fretboard markings disappearing under various, changing stage lighting. We switched to black with white markings, which solved the problem.