For many, the inlays in a guitar are a signature item that is supremely important. They add beauty, but also add identity for the brand and model.
Let’s narrow the conversation to current attractive fretboard inlays.
The Gibson Trapezoids are not extremely artistic, but they are an easily recognizable neck inlay. Those inlays scream out history. They started on Les Paul models in the mid-1950s.
For rock players, The Jackson Shark Fin inlays are a standard.
The Paul Reed Smith Birds are top of my list. The bird inlays on the neck make those guitars easy to identify from across the room. Paul Reed Smith said, “My mother was a bird watcher.” His first bird inlay was in 1976 for Peter Frampton.
In case it comes up in a trivia contest, the PRS birds starting at the nut are Peregrine falcon, Marsh Hawk, Ruby Throated Hummingbird, Common Tern, Coopers Hawk, Kite, Sparrow landing, Storm Petrel, Hawk landing, and Screech Owl on a branch. The Screech Owl is only on the 24 fret necks.
Of course, all of the above three top brand inlays have the additional function of helping the player know what fret they are playing.
The artistic fretboard inlays are a different category, but they add value and beauty. Vines that climb the neck are popular, and many stars have their name set in the fretboard. Collectors love those when the player is famous.
Inlays on pick guards and instruments are going to be a different conversation.
Let’s just look at a beautiful, rare PRS guitar we found at a guitar show: Watch this episode of Every Guitar Has A Story
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