Results 1 to 5 of 5

Thread: Sanding fret dot markers off fretboard ok?

  1. #1

    Sanding fret dot markers off fretboard ok?

    Oh dear...look at the date and the Year....I am waiting on a few bits and pieces to arrive that will allow me to finish off the neck......and then all will be revealed....(hopefully).......
    Took a bit of a risk with the finishing and have gone for a slightly relic style approach....hopefully photos will show later...

    A question for the experts please:
    My maple fingerboard has a really great grain and I really do not like the printed dots on the fretboard....do they remove easily with sanding or do they penetrate the timber to much?

    Input appreciated, Thanks
    Sam

  2. #2
    Member ILRGuitars's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    385
    Have you thought of drilling them out and replacing them with shell or pearl, etc?

  3. #3
    Moderator Brendan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Perth, WA
    Posts
    3,444
    Dots on the fretboard are likely to be about 2 mm plastic. You're going to do a lot of damage to the fretboard in sanding them back. Much simpler to get them out with a drill and screw (see:https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...ead.php?t=2584). Options for filling the holes - anything from crushed rock (see: https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...ead.php?t=4456 or https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...ead.php?t=3128), through to Mother of Pearl (MOP) dots or abalone / paua shell, through to pretty much anything. If you got really excited, you could get a bit of maple timber and make some plugs out of that. Ultimately though - I think the answer will be - you can't sand them off, but... you can remove and replace.

  4. #4
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Shanghai, China
    Posts
    233
    I think I saw a Stew Mac video on how to drill them out and replace them.

  5. #5
    Moderator Brendan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Perth, WA
    Posts
    3,444
    There's certainly a Pitbull one... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yA4c4rTseY&t=190s

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •