FIRSTLY, you must carefully measure and mark where you want to put the fretboard markers. The traditional places are the fifth, seventh, tenth and twelfth frets. Mark those spots, carefully score the center spot with an awl, and then take a drill bit to it, carefully measured to exactly accept the mother of pearl, or whatever dots that you wish to install. I have used dots of dark hardwood on a light colored fretboard, small dots, large dots, just plan it out and execute carefully because a goof up on this very public place will resound forever.
Now the dots are fixed in place with a drop of glue One of these orbiting sanders is not an essential tool but it sure is handy and saves a lot of time doing the fancy curves. This is a Grizzly tool, works very nicely The next act is to install the frets themselves. Don't forget to sand the dots and the fretboard top down smooth before you do this. It would be tough to do it afterwards. | Lets mark and cut the upper end with this well used pattern. And this is what it will look like when finally fixed into place. |