Guitar fretboard side dot markers | How to build guitars

Installing side dots in a bass guitar at buyer request. It’s best to do this before you fret.
How to build guitars with Jon Letts.
#craft #jonletts #bass #guitar

[@yonitznkc]

Relatedly, don’t y’wonder why some brands/builders inlay those idiotic 1st-fret trapezoidal markers? I mean, WTF -do our brains not understand where the guitar’s nut is, nor any conception of counting? I find 1st fretboard inlays rather insulting, and ruinous aesthetically.

[@JonLettsGuitars]

Haha. Yea. I enjoy counting frets. I usually make all fretboards totally “blind” so my music has nothing to do with my eyes.

[@yonitznkc]

That’s a fair practice. I also like the classic-Spanish bare board best and ebony. I’ve never built a neck (yet), but I imagine my first one’s having dot inlays only at the 5th and 9th, and some ‘distinguishing’ other marker at its 12th fret (hence, 17th and 21st dots as well).

[@JonLettsGuitars]

@@yonitznkc yea. I mean dots are useful but I prefer not to have them. Not for everyone. Having one or two dots doesn’t appeal to me. All or nothing! :)

[@yonitznkc]

For playing out, I’d prefer those phosphorous glowing side dots. But, I’d like to see how the 5th and 9th dots would go over popularly. I may’ve seen such limited inlays on very old parlor guitars? Then, there is always an option to use very small dots on the board, and just between the low-E and A strings.