Stick-on Fingerboard Markers (Temporary Inlays, side dots)

DON'T BUY THESE!

Wait, what?

Okay, I'm joking... maybe you might want to. I've often been asked about putting inlays on the side of fingerboards, as a visual aid to mark where the notes are. Just know that some teachers recommend against them, as they feel that using a visual crutch like side markers can actually delay your progress on the bass. The idea is to NOT use your eyes, but rather your ears - and develop your muscle memory, so your hands simply go to the right place without help from your eyes. This leaves your eyes free to read the music, connect with your bandmates, or flirt with the hottie at the table by the door.

Regardless, I do understand that sometimes folks feel more confident and comfortable with a little help nailing down the positions on the fingerboard, especially those making the transition from a smaller scale bass guitar - which usually does have handy dots on the fretboard. You also might play in a loud stage situation, or have to make large jumps up the fingerboard, and want the confidence to know that you'll land in the right place. No judgment from me, folks.

And of course, these would be useful - even for a seasoned player - if you're playing in a "room from hell" where you can't hear yourself well enough to judge your intonation; the visual reinforcement would certainly be helpful in that case!

Regardless, I always recommend NOT doing something permanent, like real inlays. For one thing, it could hurt your bass' resale value... and you eventually will develop your ear, at which point you won't want the markers anymore. But if they're permanent... Oops!

Anyway, here's the alternative, which is wonderfully temporary. You get a total of 18 white or maple-colored vinyl stick-on "fake inlays" - 12 "dots" and 6 "lines" (see photos) You can use either one or the other, or mix and match, or use them on a couple different basses if you want. Whatever makes you happy!

And when you've grown tired of them, simply peel them off. No harm, no foul.

"Bright White" (right) is a high-visibility set, which - especially against a dark ebony fingerboard, would be the most visible on a dark stage or in an orchestra pit. The "Warm Maple" (left) is a bit more subtle; as you can see, it looks similar in color to the maple neck of the bass, and looks almost like a wood inlay - better if you still want the visual markers, but don't want them to be as noticeable to others.

The photos illustrate the vinyl dots and lines alternated in a couple of different patterns on our Estle Louis laminated basses. They are just possible arrangements; you can also go "all dots," "all lines," or any of a huge number of other variations.

The custom-cut vinyl stickers arrive in a nice reclosable bag with an insert card with instructions, and including 12 dots  and 6 rounded lines. This should be enough to do 2-3 basses!You have 18 stickers to draw from - be creative!

Suitable for use on upright basses of all sizes (3/4, 4/4, 1/2, 1/4, etc.) as well as all electric upright basses.

Dimensions: Dots are approximately 3/16" in diameter, lines are approximately 3/16" tall by 3/8" long.