Shrunk Inlays

[Tricky]

I have a set neck, Ebony board with MOP block inlays that have shrunk and risen up above the surface of the fret board.

They do seem to be loose, although they are not trying to fall out.
Should I remove them to re-glue?
If so, what is a good way to remove them without braking them, or damaging the board?

Anyone know of a good way to repair?

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

I don't, but I'm listening if anyone does.

[Tricky]

Ok. I've been told that real MOP wont shrink.
I did a close inspection with a magnifier, and there is not any wide gaps between the edge of the inlays and the board. Also, the board isn't pushing them out from being dried out or contracted against the inlays.
It looks to me like the glue has started to fail, and the inlays are partially loose.

I think I will try to heat them and see if I can work them out with a dental pick. If so, then I can clean up the board, re-glue, and fill.

If anyone knows of a better solution, let me know.

[sully]

Can you post pictures of them?

Real MOP won't shrink, but celluloid and other materials can over time. Definitely no need to pull them, and I really wouldn't recommend trying to do so; whatever replacement you get will most likely need adjustment of the inlay pocket, and it's more work than you want to get into. So, what do you do?

I'm thinking out loud, but you could scrape up some ebony dust (clean the board with naptha first, get a razor blade, then scrape an area without an inlay to generate some dust. Take the dust and put it into the gaps. Overfill the gaps with ebony dust, then add water thin super glue over the mound of ebony dust. That will also get underneath the inlay and re-secure it. Let it cure, then scrape it all flat. buff the board with 0000 steel wool, and oil it. It's not going to prevent further shrinkage, but it'll hold you for a good long while.

Oh. You're in Dallas? Dude, bring it over here, we'll take care of it on Saturday. It'll be fun. I have plenty of scrap ebony, too.

Sully

[asix]

dam it why cant i be in dallas

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

Everyone should just show up in Dallas and mob Sully's garage.

[sully]

That's fine, just bring beer.
And none of that Frat Boy Natty Light shit.

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

How about some PBR?

[sully]

oy.

[Tricky]

Can you post pictures of them?

Real MOP won't shrink, but celluloid and other materials can over time. Definitely no need to pull them, and I really wouldn't recommend trying to do so; whatever replacement you get will most likely need adjustment of the inlay pocket, and it's more work than you want to get into. So, what do you do?

I'm thinking out loud, but you could scrape up some ebony dust (clean the board with naptha first, get a razor blade, then scrape an area without an inlay to generate some dust. Take the dust and put it into the gaps. Overfill the gaps with ebony dust, then add water thin super glue over the mound of ebony dust. That will also get underneath the inlay and re-secure it. Let it cure, then scrape it all flat. buff the board with 0000 steel wool, and oil it. It's not going to prevent further shrinkage, but it'll hold you for a good long while.

Oh. You're in Dallas? Dude, bring it over here, we'll take care of it on Saturday. It'll be fun. I have plenty of scrap ebony, too.

Sully

PM sent.

[sully]

Annnnnnd, it's fixed!

Now that I think of it, we shoulda taken some pix, but I removed a few of the block inlays (some of them popped right out) and deepened the inlay pockets. Once that was done, the inlays were glued back in place. For the others that weren't ready to pop out, I used a sanding block that matched the fretboard radius and knocked some of the higher inlays back down. Ken was kind enough to pull the frets first; he's gonna refret it, but doing that work with frets would've been a bit more involved.

Great meeting ya, Ken! It was great to talk shop and help out a guitar that needed it!

Sully

[jackson1]

No pics! D'OH!

[sully]

I know, I know...

[MakeAJazzNoiseHere]

I'm using my imagination!

<closes eyes>

It looks great!

[Tricky]

All fixed up.
Sully helped me out big time.
He did the work, and handled it with ease. I watched & learned a few things.
Super nice guy with a lot of talent. Now I can go forward with this project.
Wild how the glue had failed.

It was great to meet, talk tech and guitars, and see some cool projects and finished axes.
Sully is the man.

Thanks bud, and enjoy the brewskies.