Cracked Posted August 7, 2005 Report Share Posted August 7, 2005 I tried searching on this & couldn't find anything but I'm sure someone's asked this before. I have some 1/8th quilted maple. I was thinking of dyeing and then with a plug cutter try to cut dots. My question would be, is there an issue regarding the 'softness' of the maple and using it on a fretboard? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted August 7, 2005 Report Share Posted August 7, 2005 nope...go for it. one concern.is this going on an unfinished fretboard?because maple needs to be finished...i would impregnate the dots with ca before installation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegarehanman Posted August 7, 2005 Report Share Posted August 7, 2005 You can make the dots using a dowel cutting bit from any hardware store. They come in a few sizes. Normally people use them to make plugs to cover countersunk screw holes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n8rofwyo Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 I have no idea of the "quilt" you have on hand, but I would think it would have to be pretty freakin extreme to be noticable in a dot. But, then, maybe you do have a absolutely tight, beautiful, quilted piece to pull plugs from. In any event, good luck! Nate Robinson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 big dots good point though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
!!METAL MATT!! Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 Maybe Flamed Maple Would Be A better Idea Your Just Not going To see much With A quilt The Grain Pattern Is Just To large !!METAL MATT!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primal Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 I agree with Metal Matt. Even then, it would have to be an INTENSE figure to make it noticable... How about block inlays with flamed maple? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
!!METAL MATT!! Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 How about block inlays with flamed maple? Ya Something Larger for Sure!! !!METAL MATT!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pr3Va1L Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 An Ibanez vine!!!! Tree of life or something! That would be really cool... cooler than MOP for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarMaestro Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 one concern.is this going on an unfinished fretboard?because maple needs to be finished...i would impregnate the dots with ca before installation Only if you dye the dots then you'll have to finish them, because otherwise you will wear of the dye over time. There are several guitars on the market with unfinished or only oiled maple necks. While these are a little more likely to warp, your dots won't deform.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 your dots won't deform.... i think the main concern would be them popping loose from rapid expansion and contraction if they were left unfinished... and also just the fact that they would become impregnated with dirt and gunk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cracked Posted August 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 Thanks everyone! Ya, maybe flame would be better as the quilt is ok, but to show up on a dot it would have to be like AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I would probably dye and clear first. I just wanted almost cari-burst colored dots, without spending the $$ for wicked abalone etc. I'll give it a shot next weekend (dye and clear coat this week) and let y'all know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Headen Posted August 8, 2005 Report Share Posted August 8, 2005 Abalone dots are cheap. If that's the look you want you should just buy them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitarMaestro Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 think the main concern would be them popping loose from rapid expansion and contraction if they were left unfinished... and also just the fact that they would become impregnated with dirt and gunk That sounds right , but I doubt the expansion and contraction of the dots would be different enough from the fretboard wood to cause any trouble. The dirt thing might be a problem, depending on how much care you take of your instrument though. I just think that an oil finish will be enough and maybe look better, because if the fretboard is unfinished and the dots are it might fall apart in terms of visuals.... Did not really want to question your argument.....as your route is definately the safest....just wanted to offer some other possible solutions.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southpa Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 I would sink the maple dots just under the fretboard level and then fill with clear epoxy, CA or whatever. That way the figuring in the dots will be enhanced more by the clearcoat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted August 9, 2005 Report Share Posted August 9, 2005 I would sink the maple dots just under the fretboard level and then fill with clear epoxy, CA or whatever. That way the figuring in the dots will be enhanced more by the clearcoat. ← i think that is a grand idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joej Posted August 14, 2005 Report Share Posted August 14, 2005 I'd used a brass tube, that I filed some serrations into the end, to cut small veneer "circles" -- for fret dots. I placed them in the fretboard with a ring of the tube (drill, place ring, place veneer, lay down CA thing, level & polish) It looked OK, but here is what I learned --- VERY interesting woods do not often look very interesting when you only have a small dot of them. - Zebrawood looked great (try to cut dots so there is a nice dark grain line or two in them) - Flamed, etc -- not so visible - etc ... -- joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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