Hi, I was wondering if you could take an already finished bass without inlays and have them put into without damaging anything. Can a really good luthier do it? I recently bought a bass and I´m regreting buying it without inlays, the bass is awesome so I don't want to change it, just wondering if there´s anything that can be done.
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Block or dot inlays
- Thread starter BASSCELL
- Start date
Why are you regretting not having the inlays?..I personally love the look of a nice clean looking fingerboard without inlays.
It's possibe, yeah. What you can also do, if it's unfinished, is take some painters tape, put it allover the board, cut out the design you want, and use it as a stencil for woodstain or watercolor . I've been meaning to try this, actually.
Yes, a good luthier can put in fretboard inlays. How new is the bass? Could you return it saying that it wasn't want you wanted and then order a blocked/dotted one?
7 Bucks gets you realistic looking block inlay stickers that you can put on in about 10 minutes.If you get tired of them you can pull them off with no residue.
Personally, I'm a sucker for block inlays. I'll take that over a plain looking board any day. Come to think of it, I'll take plain old dots over a clean board. Just my personal preference (unless it's a really exotic looking wood)
I kinda wish I could take the dot inlays off my FB. It's a seriously nice block of rosewood with a great grain, and those dumb little dots are somewhat ugly.
Blake Bass and Oozman, the OP's question was not 'do you prefer dot or block inlays,' the question was whether or not they could be dropped into his current neck without too much trouble or expense. FWIW, the OP likes blocks and that is what really matters. Best wishes 
Rockingbird said:
+1.
This sounds like a very good idea. But would only work if the board was unfinished.... Or if you arent afraid of a little sanding.
Hi.
Dots are super easy.
A sharp forstner bit, and a set of dot inlays of Your preferred colour and/or material are all that's required.
OK, a bit of skill and other tools as well
.
Blocks are harder, but doable.
The main problem (unless You want metal ones) is getting the radius just right IME, but a bit of pre-planning and a lot of elbow grease will make 'em happening as well.
Any luthier who do block inlays will probably have the necessary jigs and tools for a job like that.
Regards
Sam
Dots are super easy.
A sharp forstner bit, and a set of dot inlays of Your preferred colour and/or material are all that's required.
OK, a bit of skill and other tools as well
.Blocks are harder, but doable.
The main problem (unless You want metal ones) is getting the radius just right IME, but a bit of pre-planning and a lot of elbow grease will make 'em happening as well.
Any luthier who do block inlays will probably have the necessary jigs and tools for a job like that.
Regards
Sam
I was going to buy some of these too. I have the fancy blue pearl dot inlays that are small and on the top and bottom of the fretboard instead of the middle, and I'd still rather clean or some crazy sticker design. The fact that you can get rid of them whenever you want is a huge plus for me too. In fact I might go eBay me some now...
+1
And then there is the problem of frets. [nearly] Anything can be done for a price, but if there are frets in there, and you want it to look good, the frets will probably come out before any inlay work is done. Perhaps 6mm dots could be done well without pulling the frets. Consider the strong possibility, you'll be getting (and paying for) a refret in addition to your inlay. A really good luthier/inlay artist can do whatever you want, your best bet is to contact one for an estimate.
Yup. If you're really finicky you 'can' feel them sometimes, but I find they're a big help in dark dinjy low light gigs just for reference visually.
Rôckhewer
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- Feb 28, 2015
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As for actually shell inlay...
Dots can be installed in between existing frets with relative ease.
Block inlay?... not without pulling the frets. (IMO)
Not if you want it to look decent.
Think about trying to level sand 10 large areas of flat shell... and precisely match the fb elevation and radius each time?.... with a tiny sanding stick? in between frets?...sanding cross grain to the fb?
No thanks.
If blocks aren't perfectly level to each other and don't match the radius... you WILL see it.
Might only be in certain lighting situations, but it will look like poo.
Gotta be able to use a leveling beam and /or radius sanding block to level block inlay.
Dots can be installed in between existing frets with relative ease.
Block inlay?... not without pulling the frets. (IMO)
Not if you want it to look decent.
Think about trying to level sand 10 large areas of flat shell... and precisely match the fb elevation and radius each time?.... with a tiny sanding stick? in between frets?...sanding cross grain to the fb?
No thanks.
If blocks aren't perfectly level to each other and don't match the radius... you WILL see it.
Might only be in certain lighting situations, but it will look like poo.
Gotta be able to use a leveling beam and /or radius sanding block to level block inlay.
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