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Trade Secrets: Fitting a marquetry inlay

2025-09-05T08:32:31.540

4

A guide to adding a unique, personalised touch to an instrument front or back

By Lucile Sanders

Luthier based in Maulette, France

I am often asked if the inlay work I do on my instruments affects their sound. It’s a very good question, because when I decided to make these inlays my trademark, it was the first question I asked myself. My customers appreciate the sound of my instruments and there was no way I wanted to lose that. I wanted to find a way to keep the same sound and still be able to customise the instruments to suit the musician’s taste and image. I did a good bit of testing and found that with very thin inlays, the inlay does not prevent the wood from vibrating, and therefore does not affect the sound. What a relief!…

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