Opinions needed - fretboards without inlays

  • Thread starter Thread starter Meeotch
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Meeotch

Meeotch

Well-known member
Lately I've been seeing a lot of guitars with the specs I want, but without fretboard inlays (Mayones being one example, but many others too). Initially I was just writing these guitars off, but now I am reconsidering. I've never owned a guitar without inlays, but started thinking - do I really use them/need them?

I play standing up 95% of the time, and I am mostly using the side dots for reference. But when I play sitting, I tend to use the inlays more as a reference. I'd love some input on inlay preference and necessity here, and if there is much of a transition period if I were to go no inlays. Thanks!
 
Several of mine have only side dots. For the most part, I don’t even notice. If you’re standing in a dark room, the face dots don’t help much anyway. I do have to admit that occasionally if I quickly need to jump around the board, I sometimes do end up out of key.

That said, it’s super cheap to get some of those inlay stickers if it turns out that you miss having face dots.
 
No problem at all, you'll get used to side-dots alone in 5 minutes and never think about it again.
 
Ever play a JEM or other guitar with a busy inlay?

I see people asking in the JEM groups all the time before they buy one, "Will it take me a while to get used to the vine inlay and knowing where I am?" and the answer is always no, because unless you're trying to figure out what someone else is playing, you're looking down at the side dots.
 
^ That's cool, how do the stickers feel under the fingers? Are they pretty convincing?
 
Can’t feel them. I guess if you bought some big inlays you could. I use the little 1/8 inch dots
 
I was like you and at first I thought it would be weird. But you don't really need 'em and you get used to it fast. Now I actually prefer guitars without inlays. Looks cleaner.
 
I felt the same way when got a Mayo and have to say it's no biggie really. I get lost sometimes up high, but all in all its not that big an adjustment. You can EASILY have a competent luthier put inlays in it. That was my plan when I bought this Mayo, but so far I haven't felt the need. Think my luthier quoted me like $70 for dot inlays.

As mentioned above, they make some super thin stickers specifically for this. I thought of trying those, but again, don't feel the need right now.
 
My Hapas has a chemical structure inlay, and i dont see it all when im playing. The side dots are more than enough for reference.
 
The only time it has been an issue for me is when I'm teaching someone my songs.
 
stratjacket":28drl4a6 said:
https://www.inlaystickers.com ...easy to add, I use the really small side dots as fretboard inlay dots and people can’t tell they’re not real inlays. Peel right off.
Click to expand...

This looks like a cool way to add disappearing pyramids :rock:
Is it easy enough to remove later on?
 
Maybe I'm a unique case, but from my experience I feel like I subconsciously don't use fret markers at all at this point. Like I feel it only helps if I was watching a video of another guitarist and trying to figure out their licks, it's a little easier if I see they are clearly on the 12th fret etc.
 
My Schecter has a blank ebony fretboard with glow in the dark side dot markers.
Wish all my guitars were set up that way.
 
crankyrayhanky":14dh52k9 said:
stratjacket":14dh52k9 said:
https://www.inlaystickers.com ...easy to add, I use the really small side dots as fretboard inlay dots and people can’t tell they’re not real inlays. Peel right off.
Click to expand...

This looks like a cool way to add disappearing pyramids :rock:
Is it easy enough to remove later on?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can peel them off with your fingernails. If there is any residue left, a drop of oil will take it right off or even rub it with your finger to get it off. I've had many guitars without inlays and used this on each one. I keep a drawer stashed with the 1/8 dots...haha
 
As long as you have side dots you should be fine. I prefer the look of no fretboard inlays.
 
Thanks for all the input guys! I'm gonna try to find an axe with a blank board and try it out, but it sounds like it shouldn't be a problem. Plus I have the inlay stickers as a backup. Cheers!
 
I play in church every Sunday and it is not unusual to change keys of a song right before we play it live or even during the song if the singer wants to kick it up a notch. I learn songs by pattern and having inlays makes it easier to pull this kind of playing off without sounding too much like a jazz band. :D
That said in 20 years of playing in cover bands no one I played with ever changed the key of a song at a gig on purpose.
 
I have 2 Mayones without inlays. I don’t think it makes much difference to play the guitars with or without, but I generally prefer the look of inlays so that’s the one thing that I wish they had... purely aesthetic for me
 
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