custom inlays...expensive to add?

[bmoney]

OK I have a Taylor 324 (2015) that I am in LOVE with...the sound is outstanding and so easy to play

yet I am lusting over other higher end guitars...NOT cause i want better sound but merely aesthetics including (but not limited to) those sexy inlays.

my question...is it even possible to have custom inlays put on the fret board to replace the dots....

and if so would it be terribly expensive?


feel free to tell me im crazy...just want to test the waters

thanks!

B

[mirwa]

Anything is possible, I have done tree of life's and other crazy designs with an existing fretted guitar, with the right tools you do not need to remove the frets.

Custom design work can range from around 150 upwards in my locality

Steve

[drplayer]

Originally Posted by bmoney

My question...is it even possible to have custom inlays put on the fret board to replace the dots....

Yes

Originally Posted by bmoney

...and if so would it be terribly expensive?

What do you consider "terribly expensive"? It would all depend on how intricate an inlay you got, but it could--and likely would--exceed the value of your guitar.

Originally Posted by bmoney

...feel free to tell me im crazy...just want to test the waters

thanks!

B

You're not crazy...if that's what you want to do with your guitar, then do it. Just understand that it's a very personalized customization; and therefore, an expense that you would likely never recoup if you ever decided to sell the guitar.

[bmoney]

Originally Posted by drplayer

Yes







What do you consider "terribly expensive"? It would all depend on how intricate an inlay you got, but it could--and likely would--exceed the value of your guitar.









You're not crazy...if that's what you want to do with your guitar, then do it. Just understand that it's a very personalized customization; and therefore, an expense that you would likely never recoup if you ever decided to sell the guitar.

Thank you!

I’m not looking for super intricate. Just some nice wide diamond shape or something the like

[drplayer]

Originally Posted by bmoney

Thank you!

I’m not looking for super intricate. Just some nice wide diamond shape or something the like

Well, that changes things... You should be able to have simple inlays done at a much more reasonable cost. I had some inlays added to my 000-28EC about 8-9 years ago by David Nichols of Custom Pearl Inlays in upstate NY. There are other folks who do inlays of course, but you may want to reach out to Dave to get a general idea of cost?

http://custompearlinlay.com/

[Stevied63]

You might consider just doing a truss rod cover inlay for the Taylor. Its not super expensive; it adss a little personalization to the guitar; and if you sell it you can remove the cover if the buyer doesn't like the style.

I've had these done by Bill Nichols and Larry Robinson for under $200.

[TomB'sox]

It is 100% doable and for what you are looking for, it would not be that expensive at all. Just finding the right person to do it for you is the hardest part, but completely possible.

[Truckjohn]

Yes. Entirely possible to do this.
Pretty expensive, though.
Not guaranteed to increase the value of the instrument...

There are several luthiers doing this sort of thing.

Check out John Hall at Blues Creek guitars. He just finished up a pretty D-28 to D-45 conversion where he added all the shell and inlay to an older instrument.

[bmoney]

Cool good to know. At this time I have no plans to sell the guitar. And just want to add some bling. Would I be better off asking and finding a 524e ?

[Larry Pattis]

Originally Posted by bmoney

Cool good to know. At this time I have no plans to sell the guitar. And just want to add some bling. Would I be better off asking and finding a 524e ?

FYI, you might be better off by posting this in the general forum, or in the Build & Repair sub-forum.

Also, the Custom Shop sub-forum is really not about adding stuff to stock guitars (even though we have luthiers present...and others with vast experience).

[Too Many Guitar]

If I can be of any help let me know. ALL my guitars have extensive inlays from a variety of different artists. Take a look at www.YourPerfectGuitar.com. My contact information is there.

Bob
Your Perfect Guitar