Official Luthiers Forum!

Can anyone please tell me how to create side dots that appear to be white rings instead of solid white dots? It looks like a little black and white bullseye that is there but not as apparent as the standard white dots you would see.

Do you make 'em or buy 'em?

Thanks,

Ray

_________________
Guitar Building = Continuous Improvement Process

Well for main markers you can use ABS plastic tubing with a rosewood or ebony dowel glued in the center then cut into .06" tall cylinders. Then inlay them just like you would any other dot marker. For side dots I have use the white plastic q-tip stems (plastic tubing) and backed them with wood dust and wicked in CA the cut them the same was as described above. Small straws would work but are hard to find in all white

I use aluminum tubing that you can get in small sizes from Small Parts. Sometimes I put a small abalone dot in the center of the tube.

There are a couple options. If you insist on pearl, then make a jig/fixture to bore a hole in 'em on a drill press. You can also use a piece of plastic tube. Inlay like normal (glue in end, cut off with razor) then fill the hole with wood dust+CA or black CA. Some guys use silver or other metal tube to be fancy.

_________________
Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services

Brass tubing with an epoxy fill can look pretty sharp and Mark Swanson has shown several of us an electric guitar that has optical fiber in the neck that actually lights the side markers -- too cool! Lot's of choices.

_________________
Jim Howell
Charlotte, NC

Did anyone notice that the intent was a white ring side dot?????

Aluminum is silver (close but not white)
Brass is brass or gold in color

RC hobbie shops sells push rod sleeves in a moderate variaty of I.D./O.D configurations that are usable for side dots. These are plastic (abs) tubing that comes in typically 3 colors (blue, red and white). Also once again white plastic Q-tip stems are a near perfect diameter for SIDE dots (approx 2mm diameter)

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I think I will drop by the hobby shop and pick up some white plastic tubes tonight. I plan to fill them with ebony dust and CA and cut them flush as I do my normal white dot material.

I really like the low profile look and quite frankly I need side dots as I am attempting to learn fingerstyle. Who knew those other 10 or so frets were not there just for looks!!!

Thanks again,

Ray

_________________
Guitar Building = Continuous Improvement Process