Filling In Fret Ends

[b-w lyons]

I see on most factory made guitars the fret ends on the fretboard are filled in the same color as the fretboard. Is this just saw dust from the fretboard that is glued in there? I'm getting ready to put in my frets and was just curious what it was in there.

[biliousfrog]

depends, a lot of high-end manufaturers now are binding with the same wood as the fingerboard...I originally noticed it on Myka's guitars but guitar buyer magazine shows that Framus & Blade are also doing it, even on the low priced Blade Delta Standard. On plain figured woods like rosewood & ebony the join in woods is almost unnoticable.

As for filling them, either filler or wood dust...wood dust will be less noticable.

[westhemann]

Is this just saw dust from the fretboard that is glued in there?

that is what i do

[b-w lyons]

so i just have to squirt some wood glue in there and sand away while the dust falls in and i'm good to go?

[Magnus]

Never thought of using

sawdust. Good idea.

Dan Erlewine shows in the

Stew Mac fretwork book

how he fills them in with

tiny pieces of the same wood,

but it looks like a lot of work

unless you use the excess that

you cut off of the fingerboard

in the first place.

[b-w lyons]

i really like that idea. It seems like it would be a safer bet than saw dust too cause it should blend in better.