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What types of wood are appropriate for fretboard inlay? I assume just about any hardwood that could be used as a fretboard is ok such as maple, rosewood, etc? Can a stain be used to tint maple and then used on a fretboard inlay or is that trouble for long-term durability? Any help greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Sure .. any wood that has enough contrast to the fingerboard will work - harder the better. You might be able to find colour impregnated maple from pen turners ... I have green blue purple and red curly maple blanks, but I am sure a host of colours are available - they are infused with dyed epoxy so the colour goes right thru the blank.

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

If you use pale woods, such as maple, make sure you seal them with a couple of coats of CA once inlayed and leveled. Otherwise they get dirty quite quickly.

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Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

Although it's not wood. I've done some stuff with reconstituded stone to get different colors. There's lots of varieties too and it cuts just as easy as pearl.