Fingerboard/neck inlay idea

I've seen some fantastic work by many of the builders on here, but I'm wondering if anyone has thought of inlaying fret markers around the neck, instead of along it. So, as an example, at each of the usual frets have, say, a ribbon (just to pick an object at random) with the bow on the fingerboard and the ribbon going all the way around the back of the neck and connecting up on the fingerboard again. You wouldn't have to bother with side markers, anyway

Cool idea, but I see two potential issues; the structural integrity of the neck and the potential wear of the joints of the back of the neck becoming bothersome to play. Neck wood is softer than the fretboard and recieves more constant sliding wear, so in the long run I forsee discomfort.

Of course where there is a will there is a way. Perhaps a wrap of abalone veneer to mimick inlay and a heavy layer of lacquer. But I perfer an oil finish on the neck.

oudin said:

Cool idea, but I see two potential issues; the structural integrity of the neck and the potential wear of the joints of the back of the neck becoming bothersome to play. Neck wood is softer than the fretboard and recieves more constant sliding wear, so in the long run I forsee discomfort.

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Guess you've never inlaid a neck before. Not the easiest thing to do, but certainly doable.

Fender does it everyday (you can see the cross section here):
http://www.fender.com/news/index.php?display_article=422


And try telling Larry Robinson or Martin Guitars that:
http://robinsoninlays.com/Martin/1000000/FinishedNeckJoint.html

Or Renee Karnes, who not only inlays the neck, but also engraves them, in a 3d sense:
http://www.banjosbyrenee.com/gallery.html

Aaron

While in New York, I saw a Custom Gibson Les Paul (this one, in fact):



So how about someone make a custom Uke with the ribbon I see on so many American bumpers (sorry, I don't know if it has an actual name, but it's the one people display to honour servicemen) around the neck as fret markers. If you're feeling generous, maybe auction it off and give the proceeds to the VA or something

Kekani said:

Guess you've never inlaid a neck before. Not the easiest thing to do, but certainly doable.

Fender does it everyday (you can see the cross section here):
http://www.fender.com/news/index.php?display_article=422


And try telling Larry Robinson or Martin Guitars that:
http://robinsoninlays.com/Martin/1000000/FinishedNeckJoint.html

Or Renee Karnes, who not only inlays the neck, but also engraves them, in a 3d sense:
http://www.banjosbyrenee.com/gallery.html

Aaron

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Wow, okay. You are right, I have never inlayed a neck. Have you? I would love to see pictures. I have made three-piece necks before, which what Fender is doing, not inlay. So you post a link to the Martin 1000000. Right, a user's guitar made primarily to stand up to wear and tear of a touring musician. Which is why it also has diamonds set in platinum. Functionality. I stand corrected.

oudin said:

Wow, okay. You are right, I have never inlayed a neck. Have you? I would love to see pictures. I have made three-piece necks before, which what Fender is doing, not inlay. So you post a link to the Martin 1000000. Right, a user's guitar made primarily to stand up to wear and tear of a touring musician. Which is why it also has diamonds set in platinum. Functionality. I stand corrected.

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Umm, yes I have inlayed a neck with my clients name in Kanji. Also done the back of a headstock (which is moot).

And, if Fender does a 3 piece neck, it's probably from their custom shop. The inlay they do daily is a functional one, to cover the truss rod.

And this is not about correcting you, but about engaging in a conversation so the the lurkers, some of them noobs, don't go off on the idea that inlaying the back of the neck is impractical, and that somehow the finish on the back of the neck is always going to wear off, then go down to the inlay and have uneven wear. I've seen craters in the fretboard before neck wear, and holes in the soundboard as well.

Kahuna, the "yellow" ribbons are and homage to Tony Orlando and his hit, but transferred to those that serve our country, and welcome them back. That, is a good idea. And certainly doable.

Aaron