Custom Fret Inlay Luthiers Reccomendations?

[Datcoolguy]

Originally Posted by Gordon Currie

I can recommend Larry Robinson. My partner had her custom guitar fretboard inlaid.

In her case, she had the luthier send the neck just before final attachment. The turn-around time was not excessive (maybe 4 weeks).

Are you looking at inlay on an existing guitar? That would entail a lot more prep work.

Yes it is a complete guitar.

[Tim McKnight]

FWIW, You’ll likely have waaaaay more invested in inlay work than the guitar is worth. What you are asking is not as simple as it may seem. It’s doable, as most things are, but you may find it’s cost prohibitive.

[Erithon]

Originally Posted by The Bard Rocks

I think Mike has someone else do most of the fancy inlay that show up on his guitars. He does not represent himself so much as an inlay artist as a luthier. I can certainly endorse his work as a luthier. The inlay he did for me was well-executed but simple, just as I'd asked for.

Oh really? I didn't know that. Well then, I guess the OP should look into whomever that is haha

[Guitars44me]

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

FWIW, You’ll likely have waaaaay more invested in inlay work than the guitar is worth. What you are asking is not as simple as it may seem. It’s doable, as most things are, but you may find it’s cost prohibitive.

What Tim said is very true. And, any modifications will almost always LOWER your potential resale value, should you ever wish to sell.

May I be so bold as to suggest you save your moolah for a Luthier built all solid wood guitar that suits your eye?

BTW, I once met Bob Taylor in his office at the former R.Taylor shop. When I complimented him on the spare and lovely aesthetics, and awesome tone, of the RTs he replied, "You can't hear inlay!"

It sure can be pretty though !

Just trying to help, here.

Be well and have FUN

Paul

[Skydog]

This “project” reminds me of some of the kids I see with $3,000 worth of rims and tires on a $700 truck.

[Carmel Cedar]

Dat, one option to consider is to get an inlay on your guitar's truss rod cover. I did this with Larry Robinson (mentioned by earlier posters) last year for three guitars. My best guitar got a 'lone cypress' image (from Carmel, CA) in honor of my avatar and forum name. The other two got a 'home in the woods' motif inspired by a scrimshaw design on my Froggy. Both designs were well-executed by Larry, give my guitars a lovely, custom look, yet were relatively inexpensive.

It might be a nice option to consider for your Taylor, and has the added bonus that if you ever change guitars to another Taylor, you can keep your inlayed TR cover and port it to your new guitar. Has no impact on future resale, and you get to keep and enjoy it as long as you have a model guitar that fits the TR cover.

For me it was a great way to inexpensively customize a guitar. PM me if you'd like more info!

[colins]

Originally Posted by Carmel Cedar

Dat, one option to consider is to get an inlay on your guitar's truss rod cover. I did this with Larry Robinson (mentioned by earlier posters) last year for three guitars. My best guitar got a 'lone cypress' image (from Carmel, CA) in honor of my avatar and forum name. The other two got a 'home in the woods' motif inspired by a scrimshaw design on my Froggy. Both designs were well-executed by Larry, give my guitars a lovely, custom look, yet were relatively inexpensive.

It might be a nice option to consider for your Taylor, and has the added bonus that if you ever change guitars to another Taylor, you can keep your inlayed TR cover and port it to your new guitar. Has no impact on future resale, and you get to keep and enjoy it as long as you have a model guitar that fits the TR cover.

For me it was a great way to inexpensively customize a guitar. PM me if you'd like more info!

Thanks CC, I didn't know Larry did work like that. A useful contribution to the thread.

[Carmel Cedar]

In case anyone's interested, the truss rod cover is shown in the pic's below, by itself and on its guitar. Design motif from a photo of Carmel, CA Lone Cypress with fog in background. I got the idea to do this from Stevied63 on AGF - his TRC inlay is lovely!

This approach is not as fancy as inlays on a fretboard or elsewhere, but a heck of a lot easier and cheaper, plus you can "take it with you" if the guitar moves on...

[chippygreen]

Originally Posted by gitarro

Jimmi Wingert is also famous for her inlay work although she had taken a hiatus earlier and I do not know if she is accepting work yet.

Jimmi is taking work, but probably on a reduced schedule. Some of the recent work she's done for a commission is in the Bashkin build thread in my sig line. I think she is one of the best, but many incredible artists are noted in the threads so far.