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  #1  
Old 05-19-2017, 04:59 AM
Guest12345inv
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Default dot inlays for the layman?

One of my guitars is an extremely basic and cheap but still nice-looking bit of ply nato. It has no dot inlays on the fingerboard, though some of the side. As I'm left-handed and did a decent enough lefty conversion I am finding I miss the dots, probably aided by the parlour size of this guitar disorienting me a bit, as my classical guitar doesn't really seem to 'throw' me.

Can someone suggest a good method of making and fitting dot inlays that can be done with basic tools and methods. Over the last twenty years I've got good enough at making nuts and saddles and can enjoy the concentration needed in small doses, so I should be able to manage without a luthier.

Thanks.
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  #2  
Old 05-19-2017, 05:10 AM
mirwa mirwa is offline
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Materials are readily available through eBay for a few dollars.

Step by step, including side markers

Steve

http://www.mirwa.com.au/HTS_Install_Fret_Markers.html
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  #3  
Old 05-19-2017, 08:43 AM
magirus magirus is offline
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You can buy the inlays in the UK here http://www.smallwonder-music.co.uk/shop/
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Old 05-19-2017, 09:33 AM
John Arnold John Arnold is offline
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The quote of the week:
Quote:
basic and cheap but still nice-looking bit of ply nato.
Some cheap guitars are surprisingly good, but often are under-appreciated.
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  #5  
Old 05-19-2017, 10:21 AM
Frank Ford Frank Ford is offline
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Here's a tutorial on dot inlay, particularly written for retrofitting on completed instruments:

DOTS WHAT I MEAN
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Last edited by Frank Ford; 05-19-2017 at 11:36 AM.
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  #6  
Old 05-19-2017, 10:29 AM
cattzap cattzap is offline
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You can make your own dot with a new sharpie. They are available in all colors. If you mess up just wipe away with an alcohol wipe and try again. If they wear away, just re dot them.
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Old 05-19-2017, 10:50 AM
Quickstep192 Quickstep192 is offline
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do you mean the ones that are on the face of the fingerboard, or the markers on the side? The ones on the side are pretty easy.
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  #8  
Old 05-19-2017, 06:24 PM
Guest12345inv
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Great, very helpful, thanks all.
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  #9  
Old 05-20-2017, 02:54 AM
deztone deztone is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by magirus View Post
You can buy the inlays in the UK here http://www.smallwonder-music.co.uk/shop/
That's a handy link!

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
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  #10  
Old 05-20-2017, 05:29 PM
mercy mercy is offline
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If Frank says it works then it does but I would have thought that you would need to sand some radius into the dot.
As far as the side one you cant sand without removing finish so that would be touchy also I would think.
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