How to find the right Electric Guitar Wood & Inlay Material AI guide
Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.
What the AI looks for in Electric Guitar Wood & Inlay Material
- Dryness and stability
- Use kiln-dried or seasoned wood. Prefer quartersawn stock for necks. Wet or flatsawn neck wood moves and warps after it is built.
- Blank size
- The blank must exceed the finished dimensions (length, width, thickness) with margin for cutting and leveling. Undersized blanks can't be trued to final size.
- Fretboard species
- Choose rosewood, ebony, maple, pau ferro, roasted maple or composites like Richlite. Maple needs finishing. Species changes look, feel and maintenance more than tone.
- Legal sourcing
- Brazilian rosewood is CITES Appendix I and requires documentation. Check the current rules for other Dalbergia species. Undocumented restricted woods can be seized or block international sale.
- Inlay material
- Choose real mother of pearl, abalone, acrylic, pearloid or synthetic stone. Match dot diameter to your drill bit and existing dots. Material affects cutting, look and how the inlay finishes. Diameter mismatch leaves gaps.
Brands that matter
- StewMac: Fretboard blanks, inlay dots and side dot material.
- LMI (Luthiers Mercantile International): Tonewood blanks and fretboards.
- Richlite: Paper-composite fretboard material, an ebony alternative.
What to avoid
- Unseasoned or unknown-moisture wood for necks.
- Restricted rosewoods with no documentation.
- Sticker 'inlays' if you want real inlay work.