Shown here is Alembic’s first pass at the fingerboard inlays. This is not the final design, but I need them to give me something that I could provide feedback on.
I asked for them to start with a traditional sidebar inlay, but wanted the shape modified in some way. I am after a simple, repeating shape that stays clear of the center of the fingerboard, and this wedge is Alembic’s starting point. The 12th fret features my initials bound in an oval of sterling silver. The guitar’s name tag will be up at the 24th fret (it is misplaced in this picture, and won’t say ‘DE’.)
I am expecting several revisions of this design, but I don’t think it will be drastically different. The wedge shapes will change, and I’ve asked that the oval be skewed to neatly fit between the two inlays of the 12th fret.
Materials-wise, the fret markers (with the exception of frets 12 and 24), as well as the ‘CJ’ initials will be black Tahitian mother-of-pearl. The inlays at the 12th, 24th, and tulip-end of the fingerboard will probably be the more traditional white mother-of-pearl.
I should have some new drawings later today to mull over. I’ll post them here so you can see its evolution. Meanwhile, a materials mockup of the medallion has been promised to me shortly, so hopefully I’ll have all the inlay decisions made in the near future and they can start the cutting!