9 Notable and Distinct Variable Fret Markers

May 5, 202313:00 by

Stefan Karlsson

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Key Points

Nine notable variable fret markers where key frets (3, 5, 7, 9, 12) are distinct rather than uniform dots. PRS Birds are singled out as classic. Finding nine suitable examples was difficult; Schecter supplies three (Pinups; Bats; Blue/Green Flames). Many models are discontinued; the Flames photo understates the real look.

1991 ESP MX‑250 Explorer (James Hetfield) Man‑to‑Wolf; 1977 Gibson Les Paul Artisan Floral; 1994 Ibanez Jem (Steve Vai) Tree‑of‑Life; 1979 Doug Irwin Jerry Garcia Tiger Tribal; 2015 Kiesel Jason Becker JB24 Numbered frets; 1985 PRS Custom 24 Birds; 2005 Schecter C‑1 XXX Pinups; 2005 Schecter Damien‑6 FR Bats; 2011 Schecter Hellraiser C‑1 TBK Limited Flame Blue/Green Flames.

OK - so a few things right off the bat - this listing is not for those who like simple and identical fret markers on all frets - Dots, Blocks, Trapezoids, Fins, Chevrons, Moons, Crosses and the like - this is where there is a flowing pattern or sequence - and where the key frets are properly marked out - but every marker is different and distinct.

Probably PRS is the most famous brand for this - and the PRS Birds are pretty much Classic and Ubiquitous in their own way - whether Solid, Hollow, Modern, Hybrid or Semi-Precious - I really like them though!

Finding similar notable and distinct variable fret markers has been quite a tricky process. This is not for those more complex pattern inlays - which just spread an artwork across the whole board - you have to have the key frets - 3, 5, 7, 9, 12 etc. clearly indicated.

It actually proved to be quite a difficult exercise to pick out these 9 - and some guitar brands are obviously more adept at this than others. Schecter seem to have been pretty impressive with their hat-trick here - and if I had found other suitable alternatives - then I probably would not have featured 3 from the same manufacturer - but they all fit the bill. I particularly like the rare Flames edition - which the photo really doesn’t do justice to - it looks gorgeous in real life.

I also thought there would be some cool designed utilising various known motifs - like say playing cards - Ace, Jack, Queen and King etc. - but there weren’t any that really fit the pattern. Also I considered the Music Man Spinal Tap Albert Lee Mr Horsepower Nigel Tufnel special - while I felt the Jason Becker numbered frets were clearer and more iconic.

I spent several days trawling through libraries of images - and these 9 were the best that I encountered.

If you have your own favourites which I have somehow overlooked - please let me know - and I can do a further post on this same topic - as I will be doing for the Guitar Body Shapes.

Here below are the various Guitars / Fretboard Markers with the rough date of when they came into existence! A lot of these are now discontinued! The images are arranged alphabetically by Guitar Brand - where Doug Irwin is arranged by surname!

9 Notable and Distinct Variable Fret Markers

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