Source for inlay on headstock

[David Mathis]

Hello all,

After taking a break to build some electric guitars, and I am finally back to my first acoustic build and within sight of finishing - in fact, I'm finishing the finishing.

I decided to add an inlay to my headstock, so I carved an "M" out of MOP and inlaid it on an ebony headstock plate.

I found this task to be time consuming with less than perfect results – see picture.

It made me wonder if any of you could give me some advice as to whether it is feasible to get custom MOP inlay done in small quantities for a hobbyist like me, and, if so, do you have a source that you could recommend for that service? Also, an approximate cost...?

And thanks for all the help I've received along the way from some of you!

[Danl8]

Try http://www.custompearlinlay.com first (a KGF site supporter) and check out DePaule's, too. (luthiersupply.com)

[tippie53]

yes Dave as Custom Pearl

[phavriluk]

Is an inlay a requirement? That guitar company in Pennsylvania has used decals and nobody much complains, it's just what they do. I've had excellent results getting self-adhesive graphics from a vendor in New Mexico, Callie Graphics.

[Diane Kauffmds]

Ditto on Dave at Custom Pearl.

[Diane Kauffmds]

BTW I think you did an excellent job. It looks great.

[MaineGeezer]

Another vote for Custom Pearl Inlay. A couple of years ago I had him do a fingerboard with the OM-42 inlay pattern. It's sixteen separate small inlays. I don't know what his current prices may be, but I think he charged me about $110. Having struggled for hours, mostly unsuccessfully, to do a single small inlay, I thought that was a really good deal.