Thinking of tattooing the name of that special someone on your arm? You might try inlaying a fretboard instead. At least it won’t hurt when it’s time to move on.
The owner of this bass had the Guild custom shop inlay his wife’s name on the fretboard several years ago. And they did a great job. The bass sounds terrific. The only problem is that they are no longer married. It seemed like time to move on, so in a relatively pain-free procedure, we replaced the fretboard and inlaid some slightly less specific fretboard markers.
First, let’s get that old fretboard off of there. Using an electric heating blanket, we soften the glue that holds the ebony fretboard to the mahogany neck.
Next, we gently work a spatula between the pieces until the fretboard pops off.
At this point we’ll need to prepare the neck for a new fretboard by sanding the surface level. Then the new fretboard gets glued into place and trimmed to fit the neck. Between the heat, removing the old fretboard, and shaping the new one, the finish gets pretty roughed up so we strip and refinish the entire neck.
Next it’s time to rout channels for the new pearl inlays and glue the new pieces into place. Then we level the whole fretboard to clean it up and get ready for fretting.
After leveling and cleaning the new fretboard, Dan hammers in the frets, making sure each one is seated perfectly.
A fresh set of strings and The Works setup later, this bass is ready to make some new music!
Lovely job, as usual — but Steve, I can’t help wondering just how you know that tattoo removal hurts so much!
Is there a story we should hear?
Maybe it’s presumptuous to think this was painful, but I’m just going to guess that it was. And frankly, the bass looks better afterwards.
Wow… The new fretboard looks gorgeous! How much exactly does something like this cost though?
Thanks Gus. I don’t recall exactly, but I think this whole job ended up in the $700 neighborhood when all was said and done. A lot of work to be sure.
Could you replace a esp rosewood electric guitar fretboard with an esp ebony fretboard?
How much would you charge for a fingerboard replacement for a 5-string Jazz? I wanted to price an ebony board, possibly with fretlines (I only play fretless), using the existing side markers if that’s easier. Also, would it be feasible or advisable to do an upper register extension that overlays the pickguard so that the highest g-string note would be g or even b-flat (like a string bass)? This is a 22-fret neck already so it’s at f currently.
Thanks in advance for your response.
Ray, I just sent you an email response directly. Thanks for commenting on our site!
How much would you say it would be to have the fretboard of an ibanez xiphos xpt700 (27 fret) guitar replaced with an ebony board? I’d say no binding, if I can paint over the headstock binding.
I own an accoustic guitar with an Ebony Fretboard. If I was going to consider doing this how much would it cost? Not including the fretboard. I’m thinking to changing to the classic rosewood for more warmth, sizzle, and sweetness.
Thank you kindly
Brian,
I’ll send you an estimate by email. Thanks for reaching out!