Decals on fretboards...

[Ki swordsman]

so the RG550 with serpent decal on maple fretboard got me thinking...

what type of decal is durable enough and good(like the one ibanez used?) to stick on a fretboard and would it work on a rosewood board(rougher surface and more porous)

because the possibilities are endless!~!! (for project/backup/beater guitars atleast...)

[toshiro]

You 100% positive that's not inlayed into the wood? I'm pretty sure it's at least under a clear-coat, because it would never stay otherwise.

[IbanezGirl]

I've been speaking to a person about this guitar today and was told that it's a decal underneath the lacquer. I haven't had a chance to go and check it out yet.

[quik]

Putting it under clear coat on maple would certainly be an option, but I would think that they could come up with a sticker that would stay put. Heck, we have stickers on the outside of our boat that have a much rougher life than stickers would on a guitar neck, and they last just fine. Actually, I'm surprised no one has come out with this (or maybe they have, and I've missed it). I could see a big market for dots, maltese crosses, Iommi crosses, birds, etc., in mirror, abalone, MOP, etc. And if it eventually wears off, or you get tired of it, switch to something else.

[Rotti]

Rosewood is kind of oily. I'm not sure a sticker would last very long on it.

[hall]

Originally Posted by quik

...but I would think that they could come up with a sticker that would stay put.

I'd suspect the issue is that as the guitar is used, the strings will literally "sand" or scrape the decal off.

[toshiro]

Originally Posted by quik

Putting it under clear coat on maple would certainly be an option, but I would think that they could come up with a sticker that would stay put. Heck, we have stickers on the outside of our boat that have a much rougher life than stickers would on a guitar neck, and they last just fine. Actually, I'm surprised no one has come out with this (or maybe they have, and I've missed it). I could see a big market for dots, maltese crosses, Iommi crosses, birds, etc., in mirror, abalone, MOP, etc. And if it eventually wears off, or you get tired of it, switch to something else.

I had some stick on abalone dots on a guitar once, you could feel them even with jumbo frets, used to drive me nuts.

Also keep in mind that human sweat is very corrosive, I don't know how long just the adhesive would hold out against regular play.

[Mr.WizardNeck]

Oh thanks for this! I never though of putting decals on there. Im going to do that with the neck Im working on right now. Put em on, add a protective coat, put a tune-o-matic in and string er up and I'll be done.

[Ki swordsman]

Originally Posted by toshiro

I had some stick on abalone dots on a guitar once, you could feel them even with jumbo frets, used to drive me nuts.

Also keep in mind that human sweat is very corrosive, I don't know how long just the adhesive would hold out against regular play.

wouldn't be able to feel a decal tho, they are super thin

do you reckon it might screw up the wood at all? like get into the pores? cos if it comes off, that's fine, doesn't work- comes off, but if it has any residue or damage that could be a problem

[toshiro]

Originally Posted by Ki swordsman

wouldn't be able to feel a decal tho, they are super thin

do you reckon it might screw up the wood at all? like get into the pores? cos if it comes off, that's fine, doesn't work- comes off, but if it has any residue or damage that could be a problem

Doubt it would damage it, worst case is that they're gonna come off and screw up your playing. lol