Pearl Sharkfins on Maple? Pics?

[rorycosgrove]

Hey has anyone seen a maple fretboard (not necessarily Warmoth) with pearl Sharkfin style inlays? Most likely what I want to use on my first build but I'd like to see some pics

-Rory

 

[DangerousR6]

It's pretty rare to see that, but here's what it would look like... :icon_thumright:

 

[rorycosgrove]

It's pretty rare to see that, but here's what it would look like... :icon_thumright:

Haha yea I've pulled it up on the inlay tool myself. Also you can get an idea on Jacksons custom builder. I'm lookin for actual pics, if there are any. I certainly wouldn't mind being the first, but I'm sure it's been done before somewhere

-Rory

 

[line6man]

Doesn't have much contrast. I don't think cream/white pearl works on lighter woods.

The Marcus Miller signature model Jazz bass has cream pearl blocks.

 

[rorycosgrove]

My dads Les Paul has a maple board with pearl blocks and it actually looks really nice. They don't stand out, but they're certainly visible and they look somewhat elegant to me. I'd prefer an abalone tree of life or even just abalone sharkfins, but alas they aren't offered (and I don't feel like going through the trouble for a custom inlay on this build).

-Rory

 

[Cagey]

No inlay at all is quite classy, if you ask me. Some of the nicest necks I've seen don't have them. You don't need them if you've got side markers, so why disrupt what could be the extraordinary grain of a fine wood?

 

[DangerousR6]

No inlay at all is quite classy, if you ask me. Some of the nicest necks I've seen don't have them. You don't need them if you've got side markers, so why disrupt what could be the extraordinary grain of a fine wood?

agreed... :headbang:

 

[rorycosgrove]

No inlay at all is quite classy, if you ask me. Some of the nicest necks I've seen don't have them. You don't need them if you've got side markers, so why disrupt what could be the extraordinary grain of a fine wood?

I like the way it looks, nothing more to say. Certainly more subtle than black sharkfins on maple, I was never a huge fan of those

-Rory

 

[Cagey]

If that's what you like/want/need, then that's what you should have.

Make it so, dammit!​

 

[rorycosgrove]

Indeed and thanks. Even with a nice grain, plain fretboards have always looked a little bland, just IMO. I still want a flame maple neck/board though so the grain that does show is gorgeous as well. And I like the uniqueness (if that's really a word?) of the pearl on maple, certainly something you don't see everyday.

As a side question not really worthy of it's own thread, why does Warmoth offer materials like Abalone on dots only?

-Rory

 

[Cagey]

As a side question not really worthy of it's own thread, why does Warmoth offer materials like Abalone on dots only?

I don't know, but it's possible it's real abalone. If so, it's probably pretty tough to get larger pieces of it at a reasonable price. In its natural state, it's not very thick, not very flat and is quite brittle. So, when you see large pieces like sharkfins, trapezoids, etc., you have to wonder where the stuff is coming from or if it's real. I'm always suspicious, because it occurs to me that pieces like that should be expensive as hell. Kinda like diamonds. Small ones are easy, and much more common than we're led to believe, but the big rascals are ridiculously expensive. Not a linear scale, price-wise, is what I'm saying.

 

[rorycosgrove]

Interesting, but if that's the case couldn't they produce a man made look-alike material? I mean they use Pearloid for the larger inlays anyway. Also if I recall correctly, their dots are real MOP, which would support your theory about abalone if real pearl works the same way

-Rory

 

[Cagey]

I'm sure there is a man-made look-alike, and equally sure a lot of manufacturers use it. But, breeding will tell, and those who know better will be aware and particular. Myself? I could be fooled quite easily. I can't tell the difference between diamond and glass if it's presented properly. But if someone is going to spend $30K on some special issue Martin, I'd wager they'd have some way to ensure provenance of the materials used.

As for MOP, that's really the same thing as Abalone, just from a different creature. MOP is the deposits clams make in their shells for protection, while Abalone is the deposits giant sea snails make in their shells for the same reason. There are a lot more clams than sea snails, so MOP is more common.

 

[bagman67]

One of the ways to stretch abalone is to slice it thin and layer it with epoxy or acrylic resin - otherwise inlay blanks can be $60 bucks an ounce or more.  This is how larger pieces are made.  I note that the Carvin block inlay option is an $80 upgrade, which actually suggests to me that either Carvin is using the acrylic laminate product, or it's not a huge moneymaker for them, or both.

 

[rorycosgrove]

Yea all points seem to indicate that it would only be beneficial for them to offer a man made abalone type material. As with pearloid, they would clearly indicate that it's not authentic material, so even those who couldn't tell the difference (myself included) would be fully aware of what they're buying

-Rory

 

[Wyliee]

Have you tried out the inlay builder?

http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Necks/Inlays.aspx

You can experiment with different inlays on different fingerboard woods.

 

[rorycosgrove]

Have you tried out the inlay builder?

http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Necks/Inlays.aspx

You can experiment with different inlays on different fingerboard woods.

It's pretty rare to see that, but here's what it would look like... :icon_thumright:

Haha yea I've pulled it up on the inlay tool myself. Also you can get an idea on Jacksons custom builder. I'm lookin for actual pics, if there are any. I certainly wouldn't mind being the first, but I'm sure it's been done before somewhere

-Rory

Yup!

-Rory

 

[sixstringsamurai]

Is it weird I find this combo appealing, yet slightly tacky at the same time?
???

 

[rorycosgrove]

Is it weird I find this combo appealing, yet slightly tacky at the same time?
???

Hey to each their own, but it's appealing to me. Take a look at this:

-Rory

 

[Cagey]

Is it weird I find this combo appealing, yet slightly tacky at the same time?
???

No. I sorta feel the same way about it. In some ways, it seems subtle, which appeals to my conservative side. In others, it seems pointless, which offends my pragmatic side. In no way does it appeal to my artistic side, which tells me it's the wrong contrast of texture and color. So, it's two to one - I wouldn't do it. But, I can sorta understand why one might want to.

Of course, I also understand why dogs go snacking in the cat litter box. Doesn't make it a Good Thing <grin>