Guitar inlays come in many shapes, sizes, and placements on the instrument, but the original placement on the fretboard served a very specific purpose that unlocks a player's ability to work the entire neck without making mistakes. I guess that explains why my grandma shreds like Steve Vai, right? There may be some truth to that "dot" statement, but we can’t always follow the dots these days. Using them might take a little practice but what else are you doing, you guitar freak!
Today, we bust the method wide open and make it as accessible to beginners as it is for the masters... Sometimes we have to follow the diamonds, vampire bats, roses and thorns, and even the solar system planets. Put your thinking cap on because we're going to start with a little music theory in our grand discussion on... Guitar fret inlays are the markers along the neck of the guitar, usually circular dots, that serve as a visual aid so you can guide your hand to the notes you intend on playing.
According to an old piece of masking tape attached under the pickguard, the color is Tahitian Coral (a color of the same name was used by Chrysler in the late ‘50s).
But, Other Person who seems to be quite knowledgable about Fender guitars told me that I have a 1982, not a 1978 Telecaster. If he is accurate and I am way-off-base wrong, then I have to rethink my decisions as which guitars to keep and which to sell.
I pulled my listing for my Telecaster off EBay as I thought I might keep it and get a perfect "sister" Telecaster as a backup.
You know it when you play one—it’s definitely more than the sum of its parts.
It’s filled with intangible, electrifying elements that add a new dimension to your playing experience.
What’s the deal with all these markers on my fretboard, anyhow? Here’s an easier answer for beginners: “They tell you which fret you're playing when you look down at your neck.” There’s a reason for that, too.
By the time we're done, you'll have a handle on all of the types available and how they work.
Toppscore ============= The neck headstock decal serial number states S853090 = 1977/1978.
But, I stored all my guitars and amps from 1983 till 2011 and it turns out I am real foggy, memory wise as to dates Thanks for any help or ideas you can offer.
This Strat has a penciled neck date of 3-61, and has all the features typical to Strats of that year.
These include: a slab Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with clay dots; a small headstock with spaghetti decal, including two patent numbers; and a greenish Nitrate 3-ply pickguard with a metal shielding plate underneath.
An undercoat of Desert Sand can be seen where the top color has worn off.