johnpace2":34njnfxz said:
I'm curious about converting the dot inlays on my Gibson Explorer to something similar to what James Hetfield used on this famous guitar:
http://www.montyjay.com/jameswhiteespexpmf.html
Any ideas as to whether this can be done for a few hundred $ or less? I don't want to do stickers.
Thanks!
John,
For inlay work, the wood is routed/carved, the inlays epoxied in, the whole board is sanded level (which also sets the final radius), the fret slots cut and the frets set and dressed.
The easiest way to perform this is, obviously, on a virgin board.
Changing the inlays with the frets in place isn't really an option.
The challenge is getting the inlays level to the fretboard after they're glued in.
Hand sanding is an option on the first few frets, but becomes virtually impossible on the upper registers due to how close the inlays are to the fret wire (because we have to sand
with the wood grain).
Your best bet for achieving professional looking results is doing a re-fret after the inlay conversion.
The frets would be removed, dot inlays removed, new inlays routed and glued in and the board leveled.
The fret slots would be cleaned out and the new frets hammered in (or epoxied in if the fret slots are too sloppy from removal of the original wire).
Finally, the frets are leveled and dressed.
The job should be a relatively easy task for a competent luthier.
Price is going to be based on the luthier's experience level and schedule.
R~
I know, I know, but I love that guitar!