Chrome dots/inlays

[Jeremiah]

I think chrome dots would look really good on some guitars that already had chrome hardware. Obviously it would not be to everyone's taste and would not suit all guitars.

However, I have never seen it done, so I'm wondering if there's some reason it would not be feasible.

 

[jackthehack]

I don't know if it's feasible or not; off the top of my head I think if you used metal it would tend to expand/contract with heat/cold to a greater extent than the wood around it which might be an issue...

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I think wood expands/contracts more than metal.  Besides truss rods, tuners, and ferrules, frets,and screws don't jump out of wood.

The biggest problem I see with it is that chrome is a plating.  Dots are sanded down when final sanding of the fretboard is done.  Doing so would sand off the chrome.

 

[line6man]

I think wood expands/contracts more than metal.  Besides truss rods, tuners, and ferrules, frets,and screws don't jump out of wood.

The biggest problem I see with it is that chrome is a plating.  Dots are sanded down when final sanding of the fretboard is done.  Doing so would sand off the chrome.

That's exactly the issue. Inlays must be sanded; chrome inlays would be plated.

 

[Jeremiah]

What about a metal that is not plated like nickel silver or stainless steel. Hey, even a silvery metallic plastic would probably look OK from a distance.

 

[Cagey]

What about a metal that is not plated like nickel silver or stainless steel. Hey, even a silvery metallic plastic would probably look OK from a distance.

You still need to surface the fretboard after the inlays are installed, so any material that won't respond to abrasives in a manner similar to wood would present a problem. As hard as some fretboard woods are, they're still not metal and so cut faster. Cutting materials of uneven hardness will result in uneven surfaces and/or abused tools, neither of which are a Good Thing.

 

[DangerousR6]

What about a metal that is not plated like nickel silver or stainless steel. Hey, even a silvery metallic plastic would probably look OK from a distance.

Stainless would be the most likely the best bet. Silver and nickel will tarnish to fast... :icon_thumright:

 

[pabloman]

I've seen brass :dontknow: