How to go about custom inlays?

[itookacanuk]

I am looking at getting custom inlays done and wonder what the best route (no pun intended) to take is. If I get the neck from Warmoth with fret grooves but no frets, the inlays will be far cheaper. The rub is that http://custominlay.com/ don't do frets, so I'd end up with a sweet looking ebony wall hanging with a Warmoth headstock.

Seems like I have 4 options:
- Find someone who does inlays and frets
- Get a regular neck from Warmoth. Pay inlay artist extra for having to work around the frets.
- Get a neck with no frets. Inlays are cheaper. Have to pay to have frets put on and am not sure who can do that competently.
- Get a maple neck minus the fretboard. Mail it to inlay artist. Buy a completed ebony fretboard with inlays already installed. Have that put on the maple neck.

I asked Warmoth if there is an extra charge to do the fretting after the custom inlays are in, but I'm expecting them to say they won't even work on a product that other people have their hands in.

If you have any experience or ideas here fire away. Thanks as always.

 

[bbl4ck]

I feel your suffering as I have been down that same trip with Valentina [see pics below]. 

You are correct, Warmoth will not touch the neck after it has left their house.  If the inlay gets screwed up, then Warmoth would be liable and it might be faulty inlay work to begin with.  So no, they ain't going there...

Bryan England's Custom Inlay will do inlay work on fretted necks.  Anyway they did on Valentina.  They might have stopped after my work because it must have been a real pain in the arss considering how long it took them.
I was quite upset with the condition they returned my neck to me.  The inlay was done, but the nut was off and the whole neck just needed some good cleaning up.  It cleaned up real nice, but I was not happy at first.

I guess it all comes down to how much you are willing to pay.  I would consider using Bryan England's again, but with the understanding they might have my neck for many months.  If you are willing to accept this, then I would contact them and ask if they would consider doing inlay work on a fretted geetar. 

Good luck and post pics when you get her done...
:rock-on:

 

[iamdavidmorris]

I think it depends on the inlay design.  If it doesn't cross any fretlines (say, you just want a custom XII at the 12th fret), I'd have it done after the frets are installed.  But if it's an involved inlay job, like the one Black Dog put up, I think the best thing to do (cost aside) would be to have Warmoth cut the fret slots and leave the frets out, then have the inlay done, and then have a good luthier install the frets for you.  Fretwork isn't rocket science.  The final levelling and shaping is an art, but just installing the frets isn't so tough.  That being said, I wouldn't give it to anyone short of a reputable luthier with a solid history of work.