Anyone had any fret markers laser cutting done?

axisus · May 2023

On a whim I'm wondering if I would like some MoP (or similar looking) Roman numeral fretboard inlays on my next guitar build. I assume that's the sort of thing that could be done with laser cutting? I've not found any available products out there.

Anyone had such a thing done and got any idea of the cost? I'm just thinking about the pieces, I can sort the actual fretboard cutting myself.

Definitely not going the sticker route! Yuk!

WezV · May 2023

Obviously there are different types of lasers for cutting different things.

Pearl is generally problematic as the laser can bounce around inside it and turns it to dust. Best case is a rough edge, worse is no pearl remains. A friend did some for me years ago as a trial and we destroyed about £50 worth of paua shell before calling it a day.

It is possible on very thin pearl. I think some types of lasers may even do reasonable results on thicker stuff but not sure which you would need for that

Plastic MOP can be done though I think... although I don't think I will try it with my diode laser as it won't be best suited for that,

axisus · May 2023

WezV said:

Obviously there are different types of lasers for cutting different things.

Pearl is generally problematic as the laser can bounce around inside it and turns it to dust. Best case is a rough edge, worse is no pearl remains. A friend did some for me years ago as a trial and we destroyed about £50 worth of paua shell before calling it a day.

It is possible on very thin pearl. I think some types of lasers may even do reasonable results on thicker stuff but not sure which you would need for that

Plastic MOP can be done though I think... although I don't think I will try it with my diode laser as it won't be best suited for that,

Thanks, useful info. I'd be fine with plastic MoP stuff.

WezV · May 2023

I did design this for my diode the other week, it will either be engraved into a maple board, or i can cut the numerals out of thin wood and inlay, or enrave it deep enough that a coloured filler can be used in the numbers

25" scale, 24 frets, faux double binding and roman numeral markers

Image: https://tfb-user-images.eu-central-1.linodeobjects.com/16f5863cc5074127479078536a6a66e57651526fbefac5d84b

WezV · May 2023

if you do want pearl, there is a guy in Newcastle who does them on a CNC I think. Ben somebody???

He does them for many of the other UK builders who have their name in Pearl on the headstock. @Danielsguitars @IvisonGuitars ; - is it the guy you use?

Danielsguitars · May 2023

WezV said:

if you do want pearl, there is a guy in Newcastle who does them on a CNC I think. Ben somebody???

He does them for many of the other UK builders who have their name in Pearl on the headstock. @Danielsguitars @IvisonGuitars ; - is it the guy you use?

Yes Ben Cochrane, nice guy.
He's just done me trap inlays and vintage size blocks for the custom.

axisus · May 2023

Danielsguitars said:

WezV said:

if you do want pearl, there is a guy in Newcastle who does them on a CNC I think. Ben somebody???

He does them for many of the other UK builders who have their name in Pearl on the headstock. @Danielsguitars @IvisonGuitars ; - is it the guy you use?

Yes Ben Cochrane, nice guy.
He's just done me trap inlays and vintage size blocks for the custom.

Do you have contact details? It's still only a maybe in terms of doing this, but it would be useful to know. Ta

Danielsguitars · May 2023

axisus said:

Danielsguitars said:

WezV said:

if you do want pearl, there is a guy in Newcastle who does them on a CNC I think. Ben somebody???

He does them for many of the other UK builders who have their name in Pearl on the headstock. @Danielsguitars @IvisonGuitars ; - is it the guy you use?

Yes Ben Cochrane, nice guy.
He's just done me trap inlays and vintage size blocks for the custom.

Do you have contact details? It's still only a maybe in terms of doing this, but it would be useful to know. Ta

https://www.facebook.com/ben.cochrane.19788

Jaycee · May 2023

A s an alternative you could use contrasting wood, here are Maple markers on a Wenge board that I made years ago

https://i.imgur.com/X1qGbz7.jpg

axisus · May 2023

@Jaycee that works, but what I'm really after is @WezV 's example - small and neat!

@Danielsguitars Thanks

Sporky · May 2023

I did some by cncing the pocket, then filling it with resin with mica in it. Not much like pearl, but a nice look. Sadly every inlay was one fret out...

axisus · May 2023

Sporky said:

I did some by cncing the pocket, then filling it with resin with mica in it. Not much like pearl, but a nice look. Sadly every inlay was one fret out...

Ouch!

BlueStrat · May 2023

WezV said:

I did design this for my diode the other week, it will either be engraved into a maple board, or i can cut the numerals out of thin wood and inlay, or enrave it deep enough that a coloured filler can be used in the numbers

25" scale, 24 frets, faux double binding and roman numeral markers

That’s really cool, I like this a lot. Very classy.

The best inlays ever would be the heartbeat on the Ibanez Anita Strauss Jiva sig

axisus · May 2023

BlueStrat said:
The best inlays ever would be the heartbeat on the Ibanez Anita Strauss Jiva sig

Not seen that before so I looked it up. Pretty cool, not my fave inlays but they do look good. Cool guitar overall.

'Nita' Strauss of course ...

Sporky · May 2023

I think I've got a pearl-putting bit for my CNC actually.

Rabs · May 2023

I got Rothko and Frost to do the ones for my latest build. Strangely enough the guy I dealt with was called Ben. I wonder if R&F sub contact out to him?

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Anyone had any fret markers laser cutting done?

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