dots or no dots

[swarfrat]

The only thing that neeeeds dots is plain unfigured maple. I could be talked out of that one.

 

[Jayrocky]

Even though I could probably play fine without them, I never really liked the look of no dots on an electric myself.

 

[swarfrat]

 

[hchoe741]

If you're using it to give classes, dot on the fretboard. It is really difficult to find what someone is doing on the fretboard without the reference of the dots

Exactly, my current main guitar has no inlays on the face of the fretboard and it's difficult to teach others. I have no problem with having side dots only, but the more I look at the warmoth mockup I made the more I like the aesthetics with the dots.

 

[hchoe741]

I think guitars with natural finishes like yours and Glimmer's guitar of the year look right with no inlays.

 

[hchoe741]

I came up with a solution, meaning I stole someone's idea from the Internet lol. Saw some threads on other forums about using durham's water putty for clay dot inlays. I'm going to mask the fretboard, mark the dot positions (maybe do offset dots), drill 5/16" holes, fill with putty using a syringe, wipe off the excess, and let dry. Since I'm going with such small dots I shouldn't need to do any sanding.

 

[musicispeace]

I generally prefer dots but have one guitar that has no inlay on the fretboard. I like that it challenges me a bit but it is not a huge deal.Usually I like the dots. I wish Warmoth would consider an option for doing inlay on the twelfth fret but leave the rest blank, maybe giving us a couple or three new design options in that context for just the twelfth fret. A company in Japan makes inlay stickers that range from basic to ornate. I have not tried them myself other than putting a few on a pickguard.

 

[Logrinn]

... I wish Warmoth would consider an option for doing inlay on the twelfth fret but leave the rest blank, maybe giving us a couple or three new design options in that context for just the twelfth fret...

Aaron said this earlier:

This is the second time in a month that a limited one-of-a-kind offering from Warmoth sold like icewater in hell. That can't go unnoticed, so I wonder what's next?

Here's what's next:


A cool and extremely limited run of Chechen necks. I'm telling you, this wood looks extremely cool, and you will want one. Start saving now.


A huge release of new Koa necks and bodies...some really killer stuff from Ken's private stash.


After that, be prepared for a massively expanded selection of inlay patterns and materials....including lots of cool new shapes...and....some that glow in the dark.


And a few other things in there too.


Please keep all this to yourselves. Otherwise, you may not get one.  :headbanging:

And this:

:icon_thumright:

Also, thank goodness to no face dots. I think more people need to try leaving them off. It hinders you for about 2 days, then you realize you never really used them that much in the first place.

No side dots would probably be a much bigger deal.

I agree that side dots are a must with no face dots. But s nice as the neck looks natural, there are times when I could really use something at the 12th fret.

We've been talking about making "12th Fret Only" an option on all of our inlay styles as well. We'll see how it shakes out...

So I'm sure you'll get your wish soon :icon_thumright:

 

[Fat Pete]

I think guitars with natural finishes like yours and Glimmer's guitar of the year look right with no inlays.

Only guitars with natural finishes? I beg to differ!

I like dots/blocks/nothing - whatever suits the instrument. Not having them isn't what makes me play badly.

 

[swarfrat]

Dang pete - that's a gorgeous beast.

 

[hchoe741]

I think guitars with natural finishes like yours and Glimmer's guitar of the year look right with no inlays.

Only guitars with natural finishes? I beg to differ!

I like dots/blocks/nothing - whatever suits the instrument. Not having them isn't what makes me play badly.

I stand corrected. Maybe I should go for chrome hardware instead...

 

[guitarslinger]

I'm a no dots or crown man myself.  Love my metallique Warmoth Strat with no dot ebony board...

https://www.guitarslingerzero.com/gear?lightbox=image_19q7

 

[bagman67]

I'm a no dots or crown man myself.  Love my metallique Warmoth Strat with no dot ebony board...

https://www.guitarslingerzero.com/gear?lightbox=image_19q7

That's a nifty axe!

 

[hchoe741]

I'm a no dots or crown man myself.  Love my metallique Warmoth Strat with no dot ebony board...

https://www.guitarslingerzero.com/gear?lightbox=image_19q7

Wow! Is that real metal plating? Or a paint job? Either way that's badass :headbanging:

 

[Cyrus Gold]

I like dots!

 

[BigSteve22]

Gotta say i love the clean look of no dots, but I also know myself. As a dedicated hobbyist player for the last 50 plus years, I'm constantly looking at the position markers. What I could probably live with is smaller, side dot size, markers on the face. Hardly noticeable from a distance, but still able to be seen while playing. Maybe small white dots on an ebony fretboard.......

 

[Cagey]

Some fretboards are so pretty, you just don't want to disturb their natural appearance. Some Pau Ferro and Ziricote boards, among others, are that way. Others, just being clean looks classy. Ebony and Bloodwood fall into that category. But, depending on what you're playing, sometimes you have your nose right in the thing and face dots might not be such a bad idea.

Having had some discussion about this before, and having a buddy who has an Epiphone "dot" ES-type guitar that, oddly enough, has no dots, we've decided to do his with standard size centered dots and I'm going to do one of my dotless necks as well. Ordered the dots last night, so between the two of us we have a serious $9 investment here. Gotta make good on that, or I won't be able to sleep at night.

His neck is already fretted, so unless he asks me to refret it (possible, but unlikely), we're gonna find out what kind of mess installing regular dots on that one is going to be. On mine, I'm going to do the Godin thing, where they're just tiny (side dot sized) dots running along the low E side of the fretboard. I'm pretty sure that one's gonna be a walk in the park.

Wish me luck!

 

[BigSteve22]

Good luck, indeed! Small dots along the bass side of the fretboard sounds wonderful. Can't wait to see how yours works out. I may not be psychic, but I see additional income in your future it it works out splendidly!

 

[Cagey]

Maybe. I know I'd like that. My biggest concern is going to be drilling to a predictable depth. On guitars like the Dot with a set neck, I can't use the drill press so I'm gonna buy one of these "Portalign" drill motor attachments...

... along with an inexpensive portable drill motor to dedicate to it and see how that works out. Makes for a sort of portable poor man's drill press. Lets you set a stop point do you don't overdrill in applications where that would be a Bad Thing.

 

[rgand]

That could really be the hot ticket. I look forward to seeing your first one.