fret and body inlays

Dennis Hilsabeck · Post by **Dennis Hilsabeck** » 30 Jul 2017 12:18 am

Have you ever had a steel guitar that had inlayed fret board ?
Had inlayed design in front of guitar?

Wondering about the fret board if youcould have a fret board made from wood and inlayed and then glue onto the guitar?

ideas?

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 30 Jul 2017 6:22 am

I have a Spirit model Rains that Ken Giles made the cabinet for. It has inlaid dove fret markers and inlays on the front.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 30 Jul 2017 7:49 am

Damn Erv. That is one beautiful guitar.

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 30 Jul 2017 8:26 am

Erv Niehaus wrote:I have a Spirit model Rains that Ken Giles made the cabinet for. It has inlaid dove fret markers and inlays on the front.

I'm pretty sure you meant to say Mark Giles.

admin · Post by **b0b** » 30 Jul 2017 9:06 am

The new Sierras have beautiful rosewood fretboards with mother-of-pearl inlaid frets and markers.

www.sierrasteels.com/gallery/new-pedal- ... llery.html

Ross Shafer · Post by **Ross Shafer** » 30 Jul 2017 9:32 am

Thanks b0b,

Inlaid mother of pearl frets and fret markers are standard issue on all new Sierras as is an inlaid Sierra logo on the front panel.

There's some fancy neck inlay pics here:
http://www.sierrasteels.com/gallery/new ... llery.html

Lamar Colvin also inlays his frets and fret markers. Awesome guitars!

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 30 Jul 2017 9:36 am

You're in Salem, which (I think) has a vibrant art scene.
Talk to an artist who understands the need for the precision of a draftsman/woman.
In my Bud, I thought the woodgrain of the neck was too pretty to hide under a fretboard.
A local motorcycle paintworks gave me a tricolor gold leaf neck.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 30 Jul 2017 11:05 am

Back in the 1970s I saw a beautiful blonde Sho-Bud D-10 at Heart of Texas Music in Austin. Someone had inlaid abalone fret markers similar to those used on Martin D-45 guitars. It was quite stunning.

Dennis Hilsabeck · Post by **Dennis Hilsabeck** » 30 Jul 2017 11:10 am

That is a good idea to remove the fret board. I was trying to decide about the distance from the strings to the fret marker and if putting a thin wood board with the inlays on it would be to close to the strings. But if you took off the vinyl you could use the existing wood and make that into the fret board with the inlays and ect. I assume it would not be to far away from the strings to cause problems. Sounds like a good idea. Hince your though about the artist person.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 30 Jul 2017 11:19 am

Stu Schulman · Post by **Stu Schulman** » 31 Jul 2017 1:23 am

Many years ago in Ray Hennig's "Heart of Texas" music store in Austin Texas there was a used Sho-Bud guitar on the floor with the most beautiful polished agate inlays on the fretboards,I can't remember who came over to me either Herb Steiner or Lucky Oceans and asked me if I found the problem yet?Huh?then they showed me that the 12th fret marker was inlayed on the 11th. Fret!

Marco Schouten · Post by **Marco Schouten** » 31 Jul 2017 2:10 am

Ebony, mother of pearl and abalone, done by Mark Giles.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 31 Jul 2017 7:27 am

Jim,
You are certainly correct!
I must have been having a senile moment.

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 14 Aug 2017 9:25 pm

Lane and Marco, those or superb examples of inlay.

Stu, did you tell those guys the inlay of the 12th fret mistake could be overcome by rolling the bar.

I guess though that all the other frets to the right would be off. Sure would have been a challenge to play but would give your ears a workout. Stevet

Charley Bond · Post by **Charley Bond** » 15 Aug 2017 9:57 am

for something different... you could talk to a custom cue maker, he could decorate your guitar like nobody else could...

Ian Worley · Post by **Ian Worley** » 15 Aug 2017 11:36 am

I'm surprised no one has mentioned forumite Andy DePaule in this thread, he produces some beautiful inlay materials.

http://luthiersupply.com/Resophonic-Ste ... -Sets.html

George Piburn · Post by **George Piburn** » 17 Aug 2017 5:54 am

African Rosewood FretBoards , CNC Laser Etched , Styrene fret lines , Turquoise Inlay markers and Head Logo , EdgeBand on FretBoards , 3M Sticky.

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