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Fret dot recommendation

Hey all. Just wondering what you might recommend for an easy but lasting fret dot. I can't decide on whether to paint the dots, use stickers, paint a sticker then place, or do some type of inlay. I was leaning towards using some simple round stickers then clear coating on top of that. What do all of you usually do?

D

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Permalink Reply by Brett Morgan on August 12, 2010 at 3:42am

I saw someone on the nation using a hole punch and some blue tortoise shell picks, looked kinda cool.If you have access to a drill press the ridgy didge fretboard inlays can't really be beat, they're not that expensive, and theres plenty of youtube videos covering the how to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQG078149CI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl7Q_P9_bdw

Goodluck

Brett

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Permalink Reply by Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) on August 12, 2010 at 6:01am

If I'm doing an old fashioned neck I'll use 1/4" dowels (you can get them at any craft store). When it comes time to finish the neck and dress the frets, I'll sand the surface of the fingerboard using olive oil. The oil seeps into the end grain of the dowel and stains it much darker than the rest of the fingerboard, making them stand out. Good contrast.

If I'm doing a high end guitar, I use MOP or abalone of some sort. Same process. Drill a hole but just much more shallow.

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Permalink Reply by Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) on August 12, 2010 at 6:20am

Brilliant!

Naz Nomad said:

Brass rod ... it's total overkill, but it's everlasting. A perfect match for a pack of Ben's gold fretwire too.

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Permalink Reply by Greg Miller on August 12, 2010 at 8:15am

I just used a 1/4" paper punch on a black CD case on a build, and inlayed them with epoxy for the fretboard. And I drilled holes in the side of the neck and poured black pigmented epoxy into it for the side markers.

I have seen some necks here on the nation where the marked frets are just stained a lot darker with no dots. I have to say it looks really cool and I will have to do this on my next build.

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Permalink Reply by Douglas Eric Marsalis on August 12, 2010 at 1:08pm

Thanks everyone for the replies. I have scanned the site looking at all the pics of various dot inlays. They all look so good, so it is hard to choose. I really liked the darker stained ones the best. I am being too much of a perfectionist I think. Anyway, thanks again.

D

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Permalink Reply by Keith Weser on August 12, 2010 at 1:46pm

I'm currently working on my first build and I used fender tortoise shell picks cut with a hole punch I thought it worked great.

Douglas Eric Marsalis said:

Thanks everyone for the replies. I have scanned the site looking at all the pics of various dot inlays. They all look so good, so it is hard to choose. I really liked the darker stained ones the best. I am being too much of a perfectionist I think. Anyway, thanks again. D

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Permalink Reply by Ronnie Retherford on August 12, 2010 at 3:20pm

Small nails, cut most of the shaft off, drill shallow hole size of nail head, tap 'em in.

Use for side markers also: http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/4-string-5-5?context=user

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Permalink Reply by Michael Gajeski on August 12, 2010 at 9:08pm

you can drill a hole, melt some solder in it, and then sand smooth. It looks really nice when its done.

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Permalink Reply by Mark Werner on August 13, 2010 at 4:17am

I've used the hole-punch method to punch nice, round markers out of flatpick material. Get those big Fender triangular picks and you can do a whole guitar...
I used a Forstner bit (1/4") to drill the holes, using my drill press for precise depth. They look good and fit flush.

For the side markers, I use one of those hairbrushes with the thick plastic "bristles" with the little knobs on the end.
These are tapered, so I just cut them off, stick them into a 1/6" (or so) hole with some glue, and then cut them off flush with a razor blade when dry. They look quite professional....

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Permalink Reply by Gadsden Guitars on August 13, 2010 at 2:56pm

You could use bullet casing ends, that's my favorite. 38 special seems to work the best for when you get down lower on the fretboard on the last few frets. Check out my page cause I couldn't figure out how to link up a picture. I get alot of positive reaction from those who see them used.

Good luck.