I’ve got a circa 2006 Rosewood Stick. The inlays on this instrument are Abalone patterned tape.

Is this normal, or did someone order an instrument without inlays, and add the tape later? If you ordered a stick during that timeframe, would you get an actual Inlay, or has it always been tape?

Thanks!

Your guess is correct . Stick enterprises does not use tape. So someone ordered with no inlays. I suppose it’s possible a customer asked them to specifically use tape also


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As mike says, that sounds like a user addition.

Does it also have 'proper' dot inlays? If so that's a very big clue towards user addition of the tape.

I've added tape inlays to both my 'dot' inlay Sticks.

PS. Pictures always welcome.

Can you post a picture?

Here’s a photo.

That looks exactly like some 'Blue Abalone' inlay tape I got from https://www.inlaystickers.com/

I can't see any sign of a 'dot' inlay in the view.

Which frets are these markers at?

If these markers aren't at frets 2, 7, 12 & 17 that would be another "not original equipment" indicator.

David, my markers are in the standard spots you listed.

I actually ended up calling SE today. They confirmed that my Stick was made without any inlay. So the mystery is solved!

Thanks for providing that link to where you got your inlay tape. I’m going to research sources, and play around with different markers next time I change strings.

I've been very happy with the stickers I've had from inlaystickers.com.

I've used them on 3 Sticks now. I've never had any issue with them coming unstuck unintentionally.

I've also experienced removing them intentionally[1]. Removal is a destructive process for the sticker (i.e. no chance of reuse), but leaves the Stick just fine. Some leave no residue at all, most leave a little, so if you need to remove it's good to have a bottle of 'Sticky Stuff Remover' of some sort handy to tidy up. I've only ever needed to put a tiny drop on a tissue, then rub.

[1] I've used their stickers as C markers, & several tuning experiments have meant that the C's have moved...