Amazing Fretboard Inlay Work

[Woltz]

I thought I'd share some of the inlay work I've seen that is amazing.

Here's one from Ben at Crimson in the UK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=479fQhf34U8

CNC one done by Labels Extreme in Victoria.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN6-7dh6efU

Kookaburra by Crossley Custom Guitars

https://www.facebook.com/crossley.guitars/photos/pcb.2264691480303181/2264689946970001/?type=3&theater

[jugglindan]

The Celtic Cross is stunning. Thanks for sharing.

[Simon Barden]

The terms "Fletcher Handcrafted Guitars" and "CNC inlay" don't sit that well together with me! ;)

Nice design though, even if it is partly ruined for me by having frets across it. I'd prefer that sort of design on the headstock where it can be seen in all its intact glory. Still, someone wanted it and will be very happy with it.

[Woltz]

The terms "Fletcher Handcrafted Guitars" and "CNC inlay" don't sit that well together with me! ;)

Nice design though, even if it is partly ruined for me by having frets across it. I'd prefer that sort of design on the headstock where it can be seen in all its intact glory. Still, someone wanted it and will be very happy with it.Haha I thought the same. Although I guess the handcrafted argument is a difficult one. As soon as you use routers and a drill press is it still handcrafted?

My view both with guitars and cars is that classic methods and modern methods both have their place and it doesn't take anything away from the person, the skills are simply in a different area.

I'm looking at putting together a small DIY CNC mainly because I want to do custom inlay work. But once you have the tool then the question becomes well why not use it for other things as well.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

[Simon Barden]

It's insidious.

In my book, hand power tools are OK for 'handcrafted', but CNC cutters and laser cutting aren't. I can see a name change to "Fletcher Mainly Handcrafted Guitars" coming. ;)

[king casey]

I'm reminded of the 'Not the 9 o'clock' sketch...

British Leyland...made by Roberts.


cheers, Mark.

[Dikkybee007]

Handcrafted means the operation is carried out by using a device that is controlled by hand so the final depth, width or feature is controlled by the action of a hand. Even if you use a lathe or drill press the final size is determined by how much you turn or pull a handle and that is where the skill comes into it. We use electrical machinery to make our finished product easier and quicker to produce and in some circumstances possible.

As for the remark about the use of CNC I normally put that down to lack of knowledge in real world problems. I am a Toolmaker by trade with skills in CNC, my hand skills are probably better than most people on this forum and of course my machining skills are better than probably everyone here so I have foot in both camps. Using one skill over the other does not diminish my ability of the other but the use of CNC should never be put down by someone's prejudice. The ability to use any form of CNC opens up a whole new world of possibilities but you still need hand skills for when it cant be done by any other means. The work done on the router is virtually impossible to be done by hand and why should I restrict my creation as I want it to be done by only an outdated ideal? I also find the remark about the companies name change to be a bit insulting as well as they are using all avenues open to them to make their customers dream a reality. As I used to say to my customers, do not judge my ability by your own.

[Sonic Mountain]

I think you are taking it a bit too seriously man. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and the smiley indicates he's not looking to fight about it.

[king casey]

my hand skills are probably better than most people on this forum

We have the Pitbull 'stable genius' in our midst.

cheers, Mark.

[cork sniffer]

Quote, "my hand skills are probably better than most people on this forum and of course my machining skills are better than probably everyone here". Can't hold back from stating the obvious ... self-praise is no recommendation.

[Simon Barden]

I'm all in favour of CNC machines. If you'd read many of my forum posts here you'd have noted that I often bemoan the poor quality of the kit routing and alignment due to the lack of CNC cutting tools in the factory and their use of hand routing from templates. The latter isn't itself bad if done well and with skill (and with a properly laid-out template), but with many kits, the results often speak for themselves.

I wasn't equating to the use of CNC with a lack of skill or ability (I don't know how that thought was arrived at). I was just pointing out the incongruity between the term 'handcrafted' to describe the guitars, and the use of CNC in their construction (well, decoration). That's all.

[EmmaRowell]

I thought I'd share some of the inlay work I've seen that is amazing.

Here's one from Ben at Crimson in the UK.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=479fQhf34U8

CNC one done by Labels Extreme in Victoria.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN6-7dh6efU

Kookaburra by Crossley Custom Guitars

https://www.facebook.com/ (https://www.facebook.com/crossley.guitars/photos/pcb.2264691480303181/2264689946970001/?type=3&theater)greatcasino.com.au (https://greatcasino.com.au/)/photos/pcb.2264691480303181/2264689946970001/?type=3&theater (https://www.facebook.com/crossley.guitars/photos/pcb.2264691480303181/2264689946970001/?type=3&theater)

Very beautiful compositions. Thanks for sharing.