New Limited Edition Mullen Fretboards

Tyler Hall · Post by **Tyler Hall** » 14 Oct 2016 9:42 am

After talking to Mike at Mullen, he's agreed to have a limited run of solid colored fretboards made up if we show enough interest. These would have the same design as the current ones but all the fret markers would be silver instead of the current multicolored ones. Not only do I believe these would be classy as all get out, it would also solve the problem of fret markers disappearing under certain colored stage lights. There would be about 100 of these new fretboards made in the first run if there's enough interest. So, now it's up to you guys. Who'd be willing to order them for your current guitar or have them installed on your new guitar?

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 14 Oct 2016 11:44 am

I'm all in!ðŸ˜Š

Peter Nylund · Post by **Peter Nylund** » 14 Oct 2016 1:37 pm

Count me in

Rich Upright · Post by **Rich Upright** » 14 Oct 2016 2:01 pm

I dunno; I kinda like my colored ones on my D-10.

DG Whitley · Post by **DG Whitley** » 14 Oct 2016 3:47 pm

I also like my color ones. That being said, I understand the need for the "Plain Jane" version. Best of luck.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 14 Oct 2016 6:01 pm

Didn't they used to be all silver, no colors?...or were they a little differnt design? Everybody wanted colored ones and now you want to go back?

I'm out of Mullenses at the moment, but if I get another one, I'd want the colored ones. I think they look so much better. JMO

Tommy White · Post by **Tommy White** » 15 Oct 2016 6:35 am

The people have spoken. It would,be nice to have the option. I like the color boards on Formica guitars for the most part. The black and silver boards I think look good on real wood finish guitars.ðŸ˜Š

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 15 Oct 2016 6:43 am

Couldn't they have both? One as an option? Same design, just don't color one of them. Would that be cost prohibitive for them?

Or, how about some of the earlier ones in stock?

Kevin Barber · Post by **Kevin Barber** » 15 Oct 2016 7:03 am

Not trying to hijack the thread and this option wasn't brought up, but the issue of the disappearing frets and/or fret markers was mentioned.
Maybe a lighted Mullen fret board, as long as both the frets and the colored fret markers were illuminated. Similar to the MSA lighted fret boards. Maybe have two options, all silver or the colored fret board.

Just a thought.

Dale Rottacker · Post by **Dale Rottacker** » 15 Oct 2016 8:12 am

I have the colored ones on my 1990 PRP and like them... but had the silver ones on my 1st PRP, and like them too... might not put them on this guitar but wouldnâ€™t mind having them just the same

Cody Angel · Post by **Cody Angel** » 15 Oct 2016 7:46 pm

Sign me up for 3! Haha! I lose my blue marker in red lights all the time. I need to practice in the dark like Emmons talked about, but for now, this will go a long way ðŸ˜‚

Tom Gorr · Post by **Tom Gorr** » 15 Oct 2016 7:56 pm

Not a Mullen owner but I want to say that when I got my old bud with the dustcatchers, my intonation improved immediately...

so add 3D to the fretboard wishlist.

Matt Teske · Post by **Matt Teske** » 17 Oct 2016 12:42 pm

I would be interested. However, is the 12 string fretboard the same width as the 10 string? If they produced a 12-string, I would likely get one.

Mike Mantey · Post by **Mike Mantey** » 17 Oct 2016 1:13 pm

We have had many requests over the years for a solid color due to the disappearing frets in certain lighting. We used to have the one color in the past, and everyone wanted the color. It actually was implemented from influence from Bobbe Seymour.

These are very expensive to produce, therefore we have to have some vital interest to go ahead with them.

It would be an option going forward, and the colored ones would remain the default option. More than likely however this would only be a 10 string option due to the lack of demand.
Thank you all for your interest.

Tyler Hall · Post by **Tyler Hall** » 17 Oct 2016 4:23 pm

^^^ The boss has spoken. I'd love to see the solid colored ones be an option and I'd swap them out on all my current guitars. Due to what I've heard from Mullen players, I really expected there to be more interest...

Jack Goodson · Post by **Jack Goodson** » 17 Oct 2016 5:29 pm

I just bought this guitar, I think it looks and sound great....thanks jack

Peter Nylund · Post by **Peter Nylund** » 17 Oct 2016 8:28 pm

Have you guys seen many other instruments with so much coloured details? If you were in the market for a piano, would you rather have keys in multicolour, or would you prefer black and white?

Carl Kilmer · Post by **Carl Kilmer** » 18 Oct 2016 3:47 am

I would love to have a black one with bright white on mine.
With my bad eyesight I'd be able to see it in any lighting.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 18 Oct 2016 4:24 am

I know this seems trite but the standard Mullen fretboard has actually put me off the whole guitar. The coloured markers look to me like one of those psychoanalysis tests - you know: when they hold up a card and ask '...what is the first thing that comes into (your) mind?'

Seriously - the silver ones look better but are still a bit ugly in my opinion. Something a little more understated would be good.

From every other angle a shiny black Mullen is one classy-looking steel.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 11 Feb 2017 2:51 am

My old Mullen SD-12 had all silver frets and position markers.
Bought it used in 1989 and like an idiot I sold it in 1996.
Wish I still had it.

Rich Upright · Post by **Rich Upright** » 11 Feb 2017 9:15 am

Actually, I think Mullen has the nicest looking fret markers, followed by Sho-Bud, MSA & Emmons. The card suits & chessmen just seem to fit the honky-tonk personality of the steel guitar.

I guess it's kinda like movies...do you like the original B&W classics, or do you like the "colorized" versions? The monochromatic Mullen markers look great on a black or laquer guitar, but I think the colored versions look good on a mica guitar, but I would NOT turn down a guitar simply because of the fret markers...tone & playability is my deciding factor.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 11 Feb 2017 11:00 am

Hi Rich,
I think the older Black & Silver looked better.
But the design in general does not grab my artistic side.
It's the only part of the guitar I'd say that bout.
But I won't say it to Del or the crew because I don't want to hurt feelings.

As of the colors, some are hard to see in certain lights conditions on stage some places.
Best wishes,
Andy

Billy Carr · Post by **Billy Carr** » 13 Feb 2017 2:29 am

I like everything I've seen from MULLEN, so far. Including fretboards. Kinda like Hughey said one time when we were talkin' about guitars. It's who is sittin' behind it that matters. The only reason I didn't buy a used Mullen when I was looking last week is because I didn't find the deal I wanted. I decided to try one of Chuck Backs' guitars. I like the colored Mullen FB's best.

Andy DePaule · Post by **Andy DePaule** » 13 Feb 2017 4:57 am

Just goes to show that everybody has there own taste in what looks good or not.
Funny thing is we sell inlays to luthiers.
The most popular set for banjos is what is called the Flying Eagles Set.
To my eye it is not much of anything compared to some of the other sets Gibson made over the years.
I love the Hearts & Flowers as well as some other sets, but nothing sells like those Flying Eagles.
Not a matter of right or wrong, good or bad, but a matter of personal taste.

Larry Bressington · Post by **Larry Bressington** » 14 Feb 2017 10:46 am

Count me in

The Steel Guitar Forum

New Limited Edition Mullen Fretboards

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