Boar tusk / teeth as an inlay? & other questions for luthiers

[SallyGrowler]

I am planning a future bass build around the "wild boar" theme.

I won't be doing the build, but I have someone in mind for the execution.

I have several boar tusks and teeth that I've accumulated over the years (hunter).

I would like to put this ivory to use in a few different ways.

If any have worked with this material, is it suitable for finger board inlays instead of MoP or pearloid?

I realize that cutting the tusks to a flat veneer would require precision instruments as well as a skilled hand.

The back teeth are almost completely hollow - they would be easier to cut and shape but would fit perfectly over a control knob.

Before I torment a luthier with my ideas - input would be appreciated.

My other question: is it a bad Idea to try a body - inlay after the build?

Thanks! - I'll try to post pics at a later date to give you an idea of the materials.

[mikeyswood]

Hydroxyapatite is a good material no matter what animal grows it.

[Musiclogic]

What Mikey said.....I think.

Anyway, I know a couple builders in Florida that have used cutters for inlay on both guitars and pool cues, so you should be fine.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

If You/whoever cuts them, can stomach the stench, it'll be fine.

If I was doing such a thing, I'd probably cast the items cut in half in epoxy or acrylic to have the surface and shape showing, the cross section cut may not be the effect You're after . Exept for dot-like inlays, where the different structures would be symmetrical.

Regards
Sam

[SallyGrowler]

Thanks all!

I know what you meand by the stench!

I'm in a rough sketch phase, unfortunately I have the sketching ability and penmanship of a chimpanzee.

I'll try to post an I dea of what I want this to look like.

[SallyGrowler]

a T-bird Body and an example of tusks.

I always wanted a t-bird and with the theme it'll be called a t-hog

maybe larger tusks inlaid on the wings?

Thinking of using smaller tusks in natural shape as fret markers as opposed to blocks or dots



Also considering using tusks in a head-stock &/or body inlay.


Found a neat cave painting of a boar :



rather than a decal of that painting, I'd prefer an inlay interpretation.

I can't self build since I don't have the tools and soon to be losing the space. I was considering getting a near finished product and attempting body Inlay myself and sticking with a fretless neck but that would rule out my fret-marker and head-stock inlay idea.

Thanks.

[SallyGrowler]

If I have a finished fretless neck, is it possible to apply inlays on the board and head-stock after the fact or will this compromise the overall neck construction?

[Musiclogic]

There are things that need to be taken into consideration when doing it, and mostly it is how and where you want to inlay the pieces as to how it will or won't effect the structural integrity. Understand most inlay is aroung 1/16" or less in thickness, so if you are doing inlay that shallow, you shouln't have a problem.

[SallyGrowler]

Thanks - If I go this route I will proceed with caution as well as use the thinnest veneers of tusk I can form.