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Hey everybody. Brand spankin new here. I've been around guitars for more than 10 years now, but never built one. I mostly worked with electrics. I'll be in that process soon enough. I've worked with power tools enough that I should be able to get through the build.

But, I have a thought about the finishing part for the guitar. I was thinking about have a vine inlay done on the fret board, but decided against it. I would like to do a vine pattern on the face of the body. My thought was to have the vine the natural color of the wood and have the rest of the board a darker color. I don't know how this would be possible because of the wood being porous, it would run into the "vines". Basically I want to make it look like the vine was bleeched in there. Any one have any ideas on how to do that?

Thanks,
Andrew

To get the effect you are after, I think you would need to use a paler coloured wood for the inlay.
Why not practise on some scrap & see what happens? Always a good idea when trying out something new.
Have fun with it! Sounds like a cool project.

Probably enough problems on a first build without worrying about fancy vine inlays. Sorry but that's my thoughts on the matter.

I was thinking more about it last night and figured that is the route I'm going to have to take. Luckily enough, one of my friends has a skilled luthier friend that can help me with it. My other thought was to have it painted in. I think the inlay would be so much cooler though.

As for Michael's response...I appreciate your concern with my abilities. But, since you have just a paragraph's glimpse into my life, I feel your comment is unnecessary and ultimately unhelpful for my question.

Thanks again Daniel!

Michael really knows his stuff, and he knows just how demanding building a first guitar is. I am pretty sure that he meant his comments in the best way.

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Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
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Hi Andrew,
There is wisdom in suggesting to tackle easier tasks before challenging ones. Those of us that build guitars for a living and talented hobby builders will often advise first-time builders to just build a simple guitar. There is so much to learn that unless you are actively training under someone who is a builder, even very talented woodworkers can find themselves over their heads.

My suggestion would be to build a simple guitar first and then attempt something more fun and grandiose for your second build. Of course, the choice is entirely up to you.

If you decide to proceed with the vine, here is my opinion: I think the bleached effect you are after will not look very good - but if you want to do that then you would do this during the finish process. You would spray a sealer and maybe one coat of finish. Then mask of the vine and then spray tinted finish and then spray your final clear coats.

I think actual inlay is much better suited for the guitar as an art form. The reason inlay is often done of fretboards is that it is easier to do a better job when the inlay is placed on darker woods because you can fill in the gaps with black epoxy or ebony dust. If you inlay on the soundboard, your work will have to be flawless or it will look very "handmade" and not in a good way.

Andrew;
I do (in part) agree with the comments above, but doing a bit of practise inlay will be a fun project & will very quickly teach you about the difficulties mentioned.
I would be sure to do some practice before possibly messing up your guitar body. Once you've done a bit of practice work on scrap, you can decide if you want to carry on with the plan.
From your first letter, I take it you are building a solid body electric guitar. In my opinion, a good choice for a first instrument. Since you are not tackling building an acoustic "box" with all the attendant challenges, taking on an inlay job will increase the learning curve... And your pride in accomplishment, if you pull it off.
Like I said... Have fun!
There are lots of good books & articles on inlay methods, materials & tooling. Google around & you'll find some good advice.
First, I would suggest you check out John Hall's excellent Youtube inlay tutorials.
Here's a link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsZuwAXcfUU

You can go either way here. When I first got into guitarmaking I had lots of woodworking skills and had been repairing guitars for a long time but still had lots of learning to do when I did my first build. I attended Roberto-Venn back in '05 and built three guitars in 5 months. It was all day 5 days a week in the shop and I still made tons of mistakes and those guitars were very simple. On the other hand you never know untill you try. I say go for it, and definitely post pics when you're done. Sounds like it will be cool.

I'm a little confused about your post. Are you making an electric guitar or an acoustic guitar? If it's electric the vine inlay wouldn't be too hard. If it's acoustic the thickness of the top could make it a much more difficult problem.

_________________
Ken Franklin
clumsy yet persistent
https://www.kenfranklinukulele.com

My apologies for not being specific. It is an acoustic. I can tell you that I don't have the experience or equipment to do something like this at my house. So, I'm going to have to get someone else to do it. I was thinking originally that it would have been done during the finish process with some tinted stain and the vine area marked off. But, I don't think that will work. Like using watercolors on a napkin. It wouldn't be a real definitive vine like I'm looking for.

Everyone of you are right when saying that it would be too much to tackle for my first build. That's why my intentions are to have someone else do it. Just didn't know how we could do it. Sounds like the inlay is thecmost difficult, and having someone paint it on would be easiest. Obviously. Two totally different looks. Who knows. By the time I'm done with it, I may just want to leave it alone and save that idea for later. If I go through with it, i'll definitely post a pic.

Do a search on Marquetry. The process of cutting and insetting thin wood veneers into grand patterns with shadow and feeling of depth is quite attainable. DO practice a vine design on and with similar woods to be eventually used...not just scraps. It is important to get the feel of how hard or soft or carve-able your base material is before routing or hand cutting for your marquetry inlay. If you are to add a vine to a top...I would recommend in the upper bout or near the fretboard soundhole. Be aware of your top thickness in those areas before doing this too.

Your veneers come in a variety of species and common in many craft stores/wood specialty stores like Woodcraft supply.

Have fun with it....

Kent

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If you decide on using inlay in an acoustic top, I would want to limit it to the area above the waist, or at least above the bridge. Then you could leave the top thicker in that area without to much effect on overall sound. If you do it below the waist it probably would have some effect on the strenght or sound of the top.

Just an observation. I have no experience with top inlays. Contact one of the inlay guys that sponsor the OLF. I think the will help you out. You can also try Larry Robinson. I believe he is the guy that did the Martin 1,000,000 guitar plus he builds guitars. He will know.

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Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

You could try polychroming the design. After a first, sealer coat, use some paint, I'd probably use artist oil paint thinned quite a bit. Transfer your design then apply the colour. You may want to rub the heavier part of the paint out leaving it a transparent/translucent colour film. Black borders for the colour fields can be applied using India ink and pen. Then complete your finish process.

As always, practice on scrap to get the protocol worked out.

Yes, I have done this before and really like the results. Its difficult to explain in words, though, well enough for someone to repeat the process themselves.

Good luck.

_________________
Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/