Thoughts on Custom Inlays

[edwardofhuncote]

Lately I've had this recurring thought of having a custom inlay put in one of my basses. It's currently in the shop having some other stuff done anyway, so...

Y'all know me... I like simple. But I also like specific. I would not want to do anything that would adversely affect the attraction of this bass for whoever has it next. The point is just to add a little personal touch, something that gives it that tiny bit of extra individuality. My Custom fretless 5-string has one very simple inlay at the 24th 'fret' that pretty much defined it.

I'm thinking of maybe a first-fret inlay for this bass. You just don't see many Alembics with these, and when you do, it's special. But what? What goes, without detracting from the pearl ovals from the third fret on up the neck?

Maybe I'll come up with something here, or scrap the whole thing. It really needs nothing, so anything extra we do has to be just right.

[jazzyvee]

Hi Greg, I have had the same thoughts for my series basses but the only place i know i can trust to do it over here is Jaydee. However they are really busy and i call now and again to find a space in their workload. i would be just having my initials inlaid at the 12th like they did on my Europa. John kept it in the same size oval so if i wanted it removed it could have a new oval put in.

[hammer]

I would think something tasteful that means something to you but could also be interpreted to mean something to another would not detract from the value of the bass at all but add to it. The inlay on your custom fretless is a good example. It's simple, tasteful, and could be interpreted in a number of different ways sort of like the lyrics in many of the songs Robert Hunter co-wrote while working with the Dead, Initials, names, etc., do however, have the potential to detract from the value and ability to sell an instrument. From what I remember someone on the board recently lost a sale of a bass when the potential buyer found out there was a name or initials on the fretboard.

[edwardofhuncote]

That's a fair point. Even though simply replacing the oval with initials isn't that big of a deal, it does cost something if you can't do it yourself... it wouldn't stop me from buying a bass I liked, but there goes a chunk of the profit margin for someone who had other interest.

How about something like this, possibly with a different inscription... instead of beloved, I'd have a symbol for infinity. Not much ambiguity there, but it could mean something different to someone else too.

[lbpesq]

Here’s the first fret on my Further.

Bill, tgo

[edwardofhuncote]

I forgot that was on your Further... I remember the Scales of Justice. And the wood pickups!

[lbpesq]

And this little surprise on the back of the headstock:

Bill, tgo

[rv_bass]

Nice inlays, Bill!

[hammer]

Just of of curiosity…for those of you who had inlays similar to Bill’s done, how much additional cost do they add on to a build or refurbish. I know the cost of each one is going to be different based on complexity and the time it takes to design and build them but a general ballpark figure? $200, $500, or more???

[lbpesq]

More


Seriously, though, it really depends on the inlay.  And you should also consider that custom inlays will usually mean the build will take longer.  OTOH, Alembic will go to great lengths to give you what you want.  For example, I wanted “This Machine Surrounds Hate and Sings it Into Submission” in tiny little letters around the below-the-bridge peace sign inlay.  Alembic had never done something like this before.  They explored different techniques, even sending James (one of the Alembic elves) to a special inlay school!   This resulted in a 6-12 month delay in my build, but I wound up getting exactly what I had envisioned.   The wait was well worth it.

Bill, tgo

[garyhead]

When I brought in my Classico a few years back to have the peg head veneer replaced, I went with the inlaid logo!  Here’s the result! I don’t remember off hand what the $$$$ were at 2017 dollars, but I found it quite reasonable.