FAQ's

"Frequently Asked Questions"

ABOUT “FUQUAY INLAY & GUITAR COMPANY”

What is your "company philosophy"?

Simple to Elaborate … ALL CUSTOM, ALL THE TIME.

Our no-compromise philosophy means NO "low-end" models.

Even the most deluxe options are relatively affordable.

Charlie Fuquay lovingly and meticulously designs and hand-builds each guitar.

He strives to showcase the natural beauty of the grain and shade of the wood -

and the colors, figuring, and light refraction of the shell.

The full musical potential is up to you!

“Must Have’s” for all instruments:

1. Eye-catching, “drop-dead gorgeous” LOOKS– whether onstage or in the case.

2. Smooth FEEL, well-designed for comfort & versatility

3. Great SOUND, consistent with premium electronics & wood choices.

4. Affordable (price & compare!)

ABOUT CHARLIE

How long have you been building guitars?

I started building guitars and basses in 1988. I also do repair & restoration work.

I have been a musician, in several different bands, over the past 35+ years.

Playing a wide variety of musical styles - from country, soul, rock n’ roll, blues, and jazz – I deeply appreciate versatility in an instrument.

Additionally, art college, machinist, and quality-control experience naturally led to guitar-building. Precision craftsmanship, appealing design, and comfortable playability are built into each FUQUAY guitar and bass.

GUITARS & BASSES

HOW LONG would it take for you to build me a custom guitar/bass?

Generally, approx. 3-4 months.

Variables include current waiting list, materials and electronics availability,

and special features (inlay work, carved top, marquetry top, tail-cuts).

What if I need ADVICE on specifics?

I am more than happy to personally consult with you about different features.

Please feel free to contact us to consult on options.

It’s extremely important to know customers and their expectations,

to be able to make their “guitar dreams” come true.

What if I want FEATURES or COMBINATIONS that you don’t show on any of your website guitars? May I have a plain fingerboard on a special (carved, 3-D marquetry, or cut-tail) body? May I have a fancy-inlay fingerboard on a basic guitar or bass body?

May I have just a fancy-inlay headstock, with basic fingerboard & body?

YES YES YES

Again, you can have just about ANY COMBINATION of features - shown on these website models, or other features you wish to request. Remember, this is your dream guitar! Please feel free to contact us to discuss “possibilities”.

Do you build LEFT-HANDED guitars/basses?

YES, same price as right-handed.

What kind of NECKS do you use?

Bolt-on, set, or through - depending on customer preference.

Solid or multi-laminated - depending on customer preference.

What kind of WOOD do you use?

All woods I use are high-quality, premium, and/or exotic.

Wood varieties are truly endless, and most are usually obtainable.

I always check kiln or air-drying time before purchasing, so as to ensure stability.

Generally, I always keep on hand stock mahogany or poplar for the BODY; maple for the NECK; and ebony, rosewood, or maple for the FRETBOARD. These woods are reasonably obtainable and have proven over time to be consistently stable, and give excellent best tones. However, many other woods are also excellent for guitar-building, and I’m happy to consider other options. Occasionally, some woods are more decorative than resonant, or too rare for a solid body, in which case I often recommend capping or multi-laminating. Usually just the top is capped, but the back can be also.

For beauty, without compromising tone, MAPLE is terrific. The variations of “curl” of quilted, bird’s-eye, blister, flame, tiger, and fiddleback maples are endless - and gorgeous! Especially conducive to sunbursts & color stains. Usually a “maple cap” is laminated over a chambered mahogany or poplar body.

Some folks prefer the look of the stronger vertical grain pattern such as in ASH wood. This looks good with a honey vintage “natural” finish or sunburst. However, I do not recommend a solid ash body, as it’s heavy & robs the instrument of natural resonance. I’m working on an “ash blonde” bass right now like this for a customer. I should have photos posted to website by Oct.-Nov., 2003

In my 3-D marquetry tops (“tumbling blocks” “stairsteps”), I use a combination of dark, medium, and light woods. Such combinations of bloodwood-purpleheart-maple and ziricote-cherry-maple have all worked well.

INLAY QUESTIONS

May I order an inlay design to be put on my (other brand) guitar or bass?

SURE! We take pride and pleasure in “improving” other makers’ instruments with inlaid personalizations and artistic motifs!

May I design my own inlay pattern, graphic, or logo –

and have you inlay it on a Fuquay Guitar or Bass?

YES, generally.

Can you inlay guitar bodies/backs/pickguards, or only fingerboards/headstocks?

YES, usually, any part of the guitar/bass can be inlaid.

How many pieces of shell/pearl are in a fancy fingerboard?

It can vary from about 60 (see the 12-string),

to nearly 300 (see the CardPlayer’s fretboard)

Is a fingerboard with fancy inlay harder to play than a plain one?

Absolutely NOT!

The shell is sanded flush to the fingerboard, so you feel nothing.

Does the shell/pearl affect the sound?

Will the shell/pearl chip out or become rough?

How long will shell/pearl inlay last?

“More than a Lifetime”

It should outlast the lifetime of the owner, unless severely abused.

I use only excellent-quality MOP, shell, or abalam – fully .050” thick – securely glued.

PRICING & SALES

How much do these guitars/basses cost?

Approximately $1,000 to $5,000

There are some GREAT DEALS if we have what you want IN-STOCK.

CUSTOM ORDER prices begin at only $1,195 for a 4-String fretless bass;

$ 1,295 for a basic 6-String guitar.

Factors in up-charges include, but are not limited to:

Inlay work (design, shell, pearl, etc.)

3-D Marquetry

Premium or exotic woods

Carved top

Cut-tail

Through-neck

Tremolo

Pickups systems

Multi-laminates

Why are your instruments so EXPENSIVE?

Actually, they are NOT very expensive compared to other custom builders.

All of my GUITARS/BASSES are individually hand-crafted, there is no production-line work. Only high-quality woods, often rare or exotic are used; as well as respected, high-quality electronics and hardware. All INLAY work is custom-designed, cut, inlaid, and finished by hand – no CNC production work.

Why are your instruments so INEXPENSIVE?

1. I take pride in being able to produce instruments that I would be willing to play publicly myself. As a musician myself, I was always looking for an ideal combination of features, within an affordable price range. Now, with a FUQUAY guitar or bass, you can have an instrument that is as BEAUTIFUL as it SOUNDS.

2. I have “low overhead”- my entire 1600 sq.ft. basement being my shop – and no other “employees” other than my wife. Over the years, shopping carefully, I have acquired many industrial-grade machines, so my shop is quite complete and I “farm out” very little work.

3. I like to keep “inventory” moving into the hands of the public. This also frees up space for new designs coming along.

Are FUQUAY guitars/basses a good INVESTMENT?

YES. Especially in recent years, as FUQUAY INLAY & GUITAR CO. is becoming better known, there is increasing demand, and therefore value, in our instruments. Each instrument is custom-designed and individually handcrafted - so only a limited number are made each year - which makes them intrinsically rare.

How do I place an ORDER?

1. IN-STOCK items:

to check availability and confirm shipping charges.

Make payment by money order, BidPay, or PayPal.

2. CUSTOM -ORDERS:

to discuss design options, pricing, and potential delivery date.

ADEQUATE COMMUNICATION is ESSENTIAL to assure customer satisfaction.

What is your RETURN POLICY?

In-stock guitars/basses: satisfaction guaranteed or return within 7 days, in perfect-as-sold condition, for 100% refund, less insured shipping.

Custom-orders: 1/3 non-refundable deposit at time of order placement. Full balance due before shipping. Satisfaction guaranteed or return within 7 days, in perfect-as-sold condition, for 100% refund, less original 1/3 deposit and insured shipping.

What is your WARRANTY POLICY?

LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY for the original purchaser only against any manufacturing, material, structural, or mechanical defects. Not including defects due to: neglect, abuse, normal wear and use, modification, or improper servicing.

CLICK HERE to submit any additional questions by email

I will attempt to answer your questions within 1-3 days.

~ Fuquay Inlay & Guitar Company ~