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I'm getting pretty close to the final stages of this build and have been very excited to see this guitar come together. I seem to bounce around a little too much and do certain tasks before I should. At least I am learning quickly that there are certain steps that just need to be done sequentially. Well I got excited and fretted my fretboard... without the fret dots. I have the side-markers in and am condsidering just going without the fret dots to keep a sleek look. Any thoughts? Has anyone put the dots in after fretting? TIA
Christian

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Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian

Frank Ford has some tips on adding dots to a fingerboard here: http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/Structural/InlayDots/dots1.html

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- Louis Freilicher

Oh No! Not another learning experience!

I have added side dots many times on existing guitars. used a dremel, proper bit with depth indexed by tape and built up a stand with scrap wood to hold the center of the dremel at the proper height to meat the mid point of the fretboard edge. really nothing to it except past the neck joint if the neck is attached to the body. if the neck is free it even simpler. if the neck is attached and cannot be remove the end at the 12th

Never mind I got this backward you have the side dot it is not the fb marker they are simple if you want them.

I have been playing a classical with out any markers for several years and to be honest I think it makes me a better player. While markers a re great quick refferance good players seldom notice them.

Lots of folks build steel string guitars without the dots. Some players like it that way. I think you're good with the side markers. I sort of like a plain fretboard. Looks very business-like.

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now known around here as Pat Foster
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Install dots as usual, then file them flush with a narrow file, such as a triangular one, you need a file narrow enough to fit between the frets. Shouldn't be much of a problem if you're careful.

Sorry if I wasn't clear... I have the side dots on, but ended up fretting before I put the fingerboard inlay dots (6mm from LMI). Burbank had it right though.
My concern is leveling the dots on the fingerboard and possibly sanding even a slight depression in doing so. I think I will just stick with the inlay-free board unless someone has a cool trick for just this sort of thing. The cocobolo from Bob is pretty cool looking stuff in its own right. Bling free baby.

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Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian

Its more difficult to get the shell dots level with the FB without access to the whole thing. Without a lot of practice, you may end up with a divot there.
I've built a few without fret dots and the players like it. If you still want some semblance of a dot without the hassle of the shell, you can take white side marker material and use that. You should be able to scrape it with a razors touch and sand it level without a problem.

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“If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting”
-jack handy

Nothing prettier than a naked fretboard IMO!
Leave'm out

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Most of the better players I've encountered want a bare fretboard. I really like the look too. I'd leave it as is.
Terry

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

As I live and breath!!!!!

Really Lance. Inlayers are sponsors here...








Totally kidding...
I'll show you a fretboard without any dots at all real soon like....
Oh- and is that UPS at the door?

Craig

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www.handcraftinlay.com

This guitar is fine now. Put the time and energy into the next one.

Thanks for the input guys! I do like the look of it without anything and I guess I'll use my "baggie o' paua dots" for 2 and 3 if I ever get there. I don't know that I trust myself to level it out in that fashion... I would be pretty sad if I messed it up after the work I put in. So along the lines of Lance... Fretboards Gone Wild it is!

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Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian

Don't tell me you are coming out with a video?? ?????

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Steve Walden
Aspiring Builder,
Bartlesville, OK

Seriously Christian... the only reason I can think of to put markers on the FB is so the audience knows what fret your on... I guess they might come in handy at a jam... so the other jammers know what chord your playin'

long

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"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” -Heraclitus of Ephesus

I'm a naked guy too...


Wait, that came out wrong


I personally like the look of a dotless fretboard face too. Now what Criag, Paul and the host of incredible inlay artist's do on the face of a fretboard goes waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay beyond marking the fret locations. That is one beautiful canvus they work on and they make it look soooooooooooooooooooo good.

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There's no leveling in Frank Ford's method, if you really want dots. For jams I do find them useful on other people's guitars .

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Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com

I guess it won't matter because I'm always the one trying to follow along!

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Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils - Louis Hector Berlioz

Chansen / C hansen / C. Hansen / Christian Hansen - not a handle.

Christian

As a guitar teacher, I think fret markers (on the face of the board) were a very bad invention. They encourage people to bend forward and look at the fretboard all the time, which is a bad habit. Even side markers have dubious value, I think. Honestly, I believe we'd all be better players if we learned to play the way Doc Watson did. On my first guitar, I forgot to put in the side markers (I intentionally left the face of the fretboard naked), and I'm really glad I did. Playing that guitar forces me to play more by feel, which makes my playing more musical.

Ever practice in a totally dark room? Really good idea.

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Todd Rose
Ithaca, NY

https://www.dreamingrosesecobnb.com/todds-art-music

https://www.facebook.com/ToddRoseGuitars/

Absolutely no markers on any of my guitars, no dots on top or side. Not only do I think that they don't look nice (minor consideration) but they lead to lazy playing, learn your fingerboard, know where every scale is over the whole board.

Rant over.

Colin

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

I don't use them either and think that they can draw your eye from the whole of the guitar and busy it up. I try to avoid anything that will draw your eye from the natural beauty of the wood - painted......

The moment I made that post I though about you guys.

I think you know what I mean
Of course a nice tastefully inlayed fretboard looks amazing! But given the choice of dots or no dots. No dots for me please

Hope UPS was good to my geetar

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Of course if you don't want dots you can always go this route. http://www.instructables.com/id/Tetris-Ice-Cubes/

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Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com