What's the deal with inlay stickers???

[RP]

I imagine such a thread topic might elicit the same visceral reactions as Zager guitars, Tonerite, factory reliced Fender guitars and artificially aged jeans. However, I recently got a Rainsongsong APLE which has no fretboard markings, was thinking of getting/applying white pearl inlay stickers and wanted to get some opinions before spending my money or doing something rash. Let the flames begin...

[pieterh]

If that’s what you want to do then go for it. Personally I would welcome a plain fretboard (as long as there were dots on the side of the neck). In fact, my Ibanez Musician fretless has no markings on the fingerboard (nearly wrote fretboard out of habit...!) and it looks very elegant.

[Dru Edwards]

Hey RP, I've looked into it and based on the comments I read players don't even feel them. I thought about buying some just to try out and put on one of my less expensive guitars. More of an experiment than anything else.

[Dbone]

Originally Posted by RP

I imagine such a thread topic might elicit the same visceral reactions as Zager guitars, Tonerite, factory reliced Fender guitars and artificially aged jeans. However, I recently got a Rainsongsong APLE which has no fretboard markings, was thinking of getting/applying white pearl inlay stickers and wanted to get some opinions before spending my money or doing something rash. Let the flames begin...

It’s not like yer putting a hello kitty sticker on there ;-0

If it’s functional for you, and what you buy looks okay aesthetically for ya, I say have at it.

I gather you under estimated how much you rely on fret board markers? Is this a functional or aesthetic move?

Best part is, they can come off as easily as they went on....especially with RainSong’s fretboard material...no fear of damage etc...

[jonfields45]

I've used them to fortify the side dots of my CH-OM. I put two coats of nitro nail polish on them to keep them from falling off on their own. I used a template (tape with a hole punched in it) to make the nail polish a perfect circle. It all came off with nail polish remover when I recently sold the guitar.

[mont_sly]

I added US made inlay decals once on a Godin electric which had a Richlite fretboard. Stayed on and didn't feel them while playing. I actually thought it made the guitar look better... Easy to remove too, if and when you want to sell the guitar.

[RP]

Originally Posted by Dbone

It’s not like yer putting a hello kitty sticker on there ;-0

They have those???

Originally Posted by Dbone

... Is this a functional or aesthetic move?

Both...

[Rosewood99]

the "deal" is some people like them and some don't. I have used them a couple of times on guitars and was satisfied with them.

[Chipotle]

How durable they are may depend on your actual use. I used side dot decals just like jonfields on my Composite Acoustics GX (also carbon fiber) since the original side dots were tiny, dim and tend to vanish in low light.

I did not use any coating over them, however, and after a few months of my thumb running over them from playing and just grabbing the neck, they tend to wear off. I just reapply another set on occasion.

Maybe the decals don't adhere as well to the poly finish as they would to your fretboard, but it makes me a little wary of the longevity of fingerboard decals.

[Tannin]

What's wrong with old-fashioned textacolour?

[Wade Hampton]

RP, I've never used any on my guitars, but I have played a couple of other people's instruments that had them and could barely feel them under my fingers.

Obviously, they're not a permanent addition to the instrument, and after a while you can start to tell which frets the owner plays on the most by the wear patterns that evolve. After a few years they can get worn down and do get kind of grungy-looking. But they're easily removed and replaced, so that really isn't even a concern.

Some of them look quite nicely, honestly, and Lord knows they're affordable. So if they interest you, by all means try some. If you do, please return to this thread and show us what you got.

Hope this helps.


Wade Hampton Miller

[Dbone]

Originally Posted by RP

I imagine such a thread topic might elicit the same visceral reactions as Zager guitars, Tonerite, factory reliced Fender guitars and artificially aged jeans. However, I recently got a Rainsongsong APLE which has no fretboard markings, was thinking of getting/applying white pearl inlay stickers and wanted to get some opinions before spending my money or doing something rash. Let the flames begin...

Have ya considered having a luthier you trust install some permanent real deal fret board markers? I have zero concept of what that would cost, but surely it could be done without too much of an issue?

Depending on how important of an issue this for you, I suppose this could be another direction to go.

[ifret]

I've used their side markers a couple of times on instruments, and just recently applied one abalone dot on a fretboard of a dulcimer to match actual inlays (they didn't put one on a fret I normally have one at), and it matches perfectly. Can't tell that one is a sticker. I've been happy in every case that I've used them.

[jim1960]

Originally Posted by RP

I recently got a Rainsongsong APLE which has no fretboard markings, was thinking of getting/applying white pearl inlay stickers and wanted to get some opinions before spending my money or doing something rash. Let the flames begin...

I'm not going to flame you for asking about stickers but I'm wondering why you're still looking at the fretboard when you play. The side dots should be enough for an experienced player.

[RP]

Originally Posted by Dbone

Have ya considered having a luthier you trust install some permanent real deal fret board markers? I have zero concept of what that would cost, but surely it could be done without too much of an issue?

Depending on how important of an issue this for you, I suppose this could be another direction to go.

I hadn't and wouldn't consider that. It's about $10 important to me...

Originally Posted by jim1960

...I'm wondering why you're still looking at the fretboard when you play. The side dots should be enough for an experienced player.

I previously said that my reason for doing this was both functional and aesthetic, but it's mostly an aesthetic desire...

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

Plus it doesn’t really matter why anyone might want to use inlay stickers - talk about a minor and easily reversible personal choice. Honestly, who cares?

whm

Yeh, there is that....