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I thought i'd ask since i'm almost there in the b***d, err guitar construction step

Serge:

I am using plastic, but I was looking at my Collings dread the other day, and I could swear the side dots are aluminum rod... Or silver plastic...

-Mark

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Pullman, WA

The more I know, the more I know I don't know.

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Thanks Hesh and Mark! Can you buy that stuff at other stores than Stew Mac or LMI, let's say Wally world for instance, i'd really like to get my paws on the stuff quick! TIA

SergeSerge Poirier38897.3911111111

Serge -- I use the 1/16" plastic rods the StewMac and LMI sell. If I recall correctly you are going to bind your fretboard with purple heart -- you could use round wooden toothpicks -- cheap and readily at hand!

A well stocked hobby or craft shop should have plastic rod, and I know my local Ace hardware carries aluminum and brass...

-Mark

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Pullman, WA

The more I know, the more I know I don't know.

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Great idea Anthony, do you think it would look ok with PH?

Great idea too Mark, i'm gonna check our hobby store here and also our home depot, i'm sure i will find something that will look nice on there! Thanks!

Serge -- I'm not sure -- I'd have to see it up close and personal to know for sure.

What colour of side dots were you thinking of using with the purple heart?

Mark's idea is a good one as well!!

Anthony, i'm not sure i'm gonna bind the fretboard with PH anymore, will have to check if it would make the guitar look too purpleish, i'm still open to other avenues!

Thanks guys, your input is really appreciated!

Tapp Plastics has white and black plastic dowel rods

Serge, like every one else I have used the gamit of the basic plastics and all colors of MOP and abalone 2mm dots but often I use 5/16" long .063" wide MOP or abalone purfling strips with the corners rounded with a 1/32" radius. This is a nice clean geometric look

I used toothpicks for a couple guitars because I thought it would be a nice natural look - that it is, but if its at all dark, like a stage sometimes can be, where you are playing, they all but disappear. I use only shell now, unless its maple or ivoroid, then its black plastic dots.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

Still overlooked in the luthier world are the mosaic pins used by knife makers. These make great side dots. Beautiful patterns and a variety of diameters. They come as short rods (usually 12") and pieces are cut off as needed. Brass and epoxy. I have a .25" diameter rod and I'll try to take a macro photo of the pattern.

I use the plastic rod sold by Allparts. I plan to start using brass tubing filled with wood, plastic, or black epoxy to give a ring effect.

Al

Serge, I use the plastic rods which are very easy.
here's one I just did:

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Serge I have dots in paua abalone and MOP that I sell but I just don't have them up on the site yet. I am also using brass rod/tube and Aluminum rod/tube. Brass for the outside of light woods like maple and Aluminum for the outer ring of dark woods like ebony. I buy the tube and the rod so that one fits into the other to get the two tone look. Let me know and I can set you up.

Shane

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Canada

I use either MOP or Redheart ab, depending on the fretboards top dots. I do like the hollow rod look too and may try it.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Serge, I use white or gold MOP, 3/32". Very easy to install.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

   I have used pearl and plastic . I also for fun and color used the color off an artists pencil. I did red dots and they held up beautifuly.
   The are inlaid in white plastic and were superglued in. The CA seemed to act as a finish and sealed the pencil color without and running.
    Pearl is my fav
john hall
blues creek guitars

Lately I've been using 1/4" MOP or Abalone dots, cut in half.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

Hey Serge;
Another material to consider is aluminum welding rod.
It comes in lots of sizes from 1/23" up to 3/16".
I use 1/16" for a clearly visible dot which is small enough to easily centre on the fb edge.
The nice thing about aluminum is that it sands at the same rate as Ebony. (Harder metals tend to stand proud if you sand the area instead of using a file)
If you are using a porous wood (like EIR) for the fb, you'd have to take steps to seal the grain to prevent alum. dust from getting stuck in the pores.
I get rod from a local welding shop. One 36" rod (which they'll often give you for free) will do at least 15 fingerboards.
Daniel M38897.5493402778

Here's a link to some mosaic pin info. There are tons of designs available from different makers.

http://www.engnath.com/public/mosaic.htm

I like they way Edward V. Dick and Michael Bashkin do it:

The fretboard inlay can be seen from side and front. Kill 2 birds with one <fill in the blank>

I like the brass or aluminum tube look, so I'll probably try that on my next. I've been using just the plastic dots that I got from Grizzly Luthier catalog. Same as StewMac and LMI.
Tracy