I have seen on some acoustic guitars made by a luthier local to my home town with solid 18K gold used for the fret markers.

I was thinking when i get around to having a local Luthier hand build me a guitar i might be able to go a step further with this. I'm thinking of having solid 18K gold Fretboard dots made for him to install.

Problem is. Gold isnt known to be the toughest material in relation to scratch and wear resistance. Do you think its possible that regular use and string bends would eventually wear away the fret dots?

I wouldnt something like to happen on an investment such as this.

the only time i would suggest prettying up ur guitar like that is if ur about to sell it

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If i was going to sell my guitar theres no way in hell i would spend hundreds of dollars required to fit it with 18K gold.

This would be a keeper guitar

i dont know, u would make a pretty penny out of it, im pretty sure.
what kind of axe u got?

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did you read my original post?

I am talking about having a local luthier custom build me a guitar with gold inlays and fret markers

i'm sure it would make the neck pretty heavy.

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No, gold really isn't THAT heavy.

You are right, bends and shit probably would wear them away. Maybe you should try diamonds

A guitar with gold dots is something I'd have if I was like a billionaire but wouldn't use.

Yes, gold is very heavy, but not in the small quantities which you will have.
No, it probably wouldnt wear away. Gold is quite tough and can take a bit. That why gold teeth are always immaculate.
Anyway, why the fuck would you waste your money on that

Gold can wear other metals out or the metals can wear the gold out, so I don't recommend getting solid fret inlays. Not worth it.

Here is your answer.

No gold fret markers wouldn't get scratched up and wear away really fast otherwise the luthier wouldn't bother installing them.

18k gold isnt pure, it's mixed with some other metal to make it more useful and utilitarian. Most gold jewelry and stuff is 14, 16, 18 karat to keep the cost low and to make it more durable. 24k gold is pretty soft, you can make tooth marks in it pretty easily. 18k gold as fret markers, just might work. I slept at a holiday inn express last night.

Well, neither is wood or mother of pearl but its still used to make many guitars. 18K Gold would actually wear better then the normal inlay stuff. Besides, the strings should never touch the fretboard or inlays unless you push down really freaking hard on the strings. Strings only touch the fret crowns. Your skin touchs the fretboard.

Gold would work easy but it will cost a little extra.

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This is true.

Also gold is heavy, but it's not like it's gonna make a big difference. First of all you aren't gonna use that much gold. Next this thing is gonna be on a strap on your shoulders. You won't feel a thing.

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18K means that its not pure gold and is probably mixed up with something to make it harder. If you had 24K that would be pure gold and pretty fucking expensive.

EDIT: Didn't see the above post that explained this.

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Woo-Hoo

Gold is made into an alloy to make it strong, yes. It is mixed with copper, nickel, and tin in different ratios to obtail different properties. It doesn't matter if he uses 24k, 1000 point, or 99.999~% pure gold. Those fret markers will be fine. The strings will never mark or wear them. Pure gold is still harder then many materials used today as fret markers.

Gold is a fine substance to use as a fret marker. Any metal ( except mercury, lead, or deadly radioactive heavy metal ) is as a mater of fact.

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a little offtopic maybe, but I dislike gold. It's too flashy for me. Now, silver or white gold inlays, those would be t3h s3xx0rz

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diamonds would'nt make sence to put on there, cuz they would break ur strings.

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What...?

Gold inlays, hm. Personally I like colours like black, silver and dark blue more; but the idea is interesting. A few pictures would be nice.

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I'm using Aluminium for mine.

True story.

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I always thought the primer end of a bullet would make cool fret dots.

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Awesome idea.

THink i will stick to gold though.

The reason behind this is i want my guitar to be made with Top notch materials.
The best woods, Parts Etc

In a world where things are no longer quality. I want a guitar that stands above the pack.

Meh,just put some stickers on your guitar or something.

Uhhh well 18k gold is pretty malleable so it does have the potential for warping and it wont weigh down your neck... but still you might run across some thugs who really need some gold and they could kick your ass and steal the fret markings... no jk but i think its a great idea... do it and show some pics.

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It wouild be interesting to get metal inlays made of a permanently magnetic material, so you get an e-bow effect, if that would work. Or just have electromagnetic inlays, with a circuit in the body to power them!

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If you had inlays made out of magnets, the strings would just sag E-bow inlays would be novel though!

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id probaly get gold plated fretmarkers instead of solid gold fretmarkers, if i would ever get that anyway.

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