Marking Flea/Fluke Fretboards

Jerryc41 · Jun 10, 2019

I bought a Flea with the standard plastic fretboard, and I'm wondering what others have done to mark it to make the frets easier to see. I can play it as is, but I'd prefer to have the frets visible. The best alternative would be to have Magic Fluke replace the board, of course.

Ukecaster · Jun 10, 2019

A thin, silver colored Sharpie will show the frets well on the plastic fretboard. I'd tape around the frets to ensure a neat job. Acetone will take it off, or remove any mistakes.

M3Ukulele · Jun 10, 2019

I tried the silver sharpie route, it wore off to fast. Now every year or two, I tape off the fretboard and apply a silver paint. Quick and easy once fretboard is taped off. Let paint dry overnight, take off masking tape.......DONE.

Kibes37 · Jun 10, 2019

I got a Flea a few days ago. I was thinking just the edges of the frets facing you where the strings don’t touch would be ideal. I’m in search of the perfect pen. My mom paints rocks, may have to go to her house and see what she’s got

Booksniffer · Jun 10, 2019

Nail polish works very well, is quite durable, and can be easily removed when necessary

Kibes37 · Jun 10, 2019

That was hard for me to be accurate with a nail polish brush. Had to break out the nail polish remover and start fresh.

Kenn2018 · Jun 10, 2019

I used the rub-down side fret marker transfers on my Oya tenor. They work very well.

Various fret marker designs are available for use on the fretboard. From elaborate inlay-looking ones to simple dots. Relatively inexpensive too.

When one eventually rubs off, it's easy to apply another. Get tired of them, you can use a piece of tape to remove one or all.

Search on Amazon. They have quite a few different ones listed for guitars. Some especially for ukuleles.

Ziret · Jun 11, 2019

I guess you could use any cheap, skinny, pointy brush.

Kibes37 said:
That was hard for me to be accurate with a nail polish brush. Had to break out the nail polish remover and start fresh.

Booksniffer · Jun 11, 2019

Ziret said:
I guess you could use any cheap, skinny, pointy brush.

Yup.
I usually use a toothpick

bratsche · Jun 11, 2019

And all this while, I was wondering how neat it would be if there were a matte black metal choice for frets, ideally on an ebony fretboard. Personally I love the minimalist "fretless look" concept. No dots, of course, except side ones. I guess we're always looking for something to change to suit our unique selves. LOL

bratsche

70sSanO · Jun 12, 2019

I guess you are talking about side markers. Since it is plastic, you might be able to just use a 1/16” drill bit and twist it with your fingers to make an shallow indent and fill it with white paint. A little masking tape on the top end of the drill bit will give it more grip. Heat up a small nail or needle to mark the location and make it easier to start the drill. You can remove the fretboard if that makes it easier.

I have used a small mechanical, crank, hand drill. But that was into wood and I glued in pearloid markers. You just want an indent for a paint fill.

John

Balsa Dust · Jun 12, 2019

70sSanO said:
I guess you are talking about side markers. Since it is plastic, you might be able to just use a 1/16” drill bit and twist it with your fingers to make an shallow indent and fill it with white paint. A little masking tape on the top end of the drill bit will give it more grip. Heat up a small nail or needle to mark the location and make it easier to start the drill. You can remove the fretboard if that makes it easier.

I have used a small mechanical, crank, hand drill. But that was into wood and I glued in pearloid markers. You just want an indent for a paint fill.

John

This is what I did years ago. Super easy and still looks good.

Jerryc41 · Jun 12, 2019

Kibes37 said:
I got a Flea a few days ago. I was thinking just the edges of the frets facing you where the strings don’t touch would be ideal. I’m in search of the perfect pen. My mom paints rocks, may have to go to her house and see what she’s got

Yes, taping the fretboard is a good idea. I'm leaning toward just painting the side facing me. I seldom look at the fretboard when I'm playing, but I still look occasionally, and not being able to see the frets doesn't help. I have lots of tubes of touch-up paint from previous cars, so I might try that. I also have some of those little press-on side dots. If I can find them, I'll give them a try. It's a Flea with a plastic fretboard, not a custom Ko'olau. : )

Marking Flea/Fluke Fretboards

Jerryc41

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Ukecaster

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M3Ukulele

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Kibes37

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Booksniffer

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Kibes37

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Kenn2018

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Ziret

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70sSanO

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Balsa Dust

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