(Fun topic) Favorite Taylor fretboard inlay?

[Lamtaylor999]

Mine would definitely be the new K24ce spring vine inlay, the 914ce pearl ascension inlay, 614ce winged inlay, or the classy diamond on the old 500 series.

[splendora]

And just to help you in your judging -), Taylor has a nice PDF catalog of all their inlays (at least as of 2012, I guess):

https://www.taylorguitars.com/sites/default/files/2012-Inlay-Guide-taylor-guitars.pdf

[youthmindave]

Ooooh, this is a great topic. I love inlays that are simple but more than dots. I think my favorite is the century inlays - basically the 500 series. I had a 516 that had those back in 2014 and at first I didn't like them but they grew and grew on me. I have a 712 (sassafras) with the heritage diamonds and I like them too. Just not as much as the century. 

[Earl]

I generally go for simpler rather than blingy.  Something a little more than plain dots, but dots are OK too.  Bling has its place, of course, but I don't own any 900 series Taylor guitars (based on price, not bling).

[splendora]

While I love the looks of vines, etc. up and down the fretboard, I admit I need the 3-5-7-9-12 markers to guide me along. Some of the more complex inlays sort of have a way to see these points, but I get confused -).  So I'm going with less-ornate fretboards till I don't need the help.  And it saves my wallet as well!

[DennisG]

I'm not really finicky when it comes to fretboard markers, since I rely on the side dots for positioning, and not the fret markers.

[boneuphtoner]

I prefer simple, understated, elegant inlays- my favorite Taylor inlay is what they currently only put on the 700 series

[Marco Polo]

Here's a  more current inlay document:
https://www.taylorguitars.com/sites/default/files/Inlay-Guide_2015-Final-web.pdf

I currently have 3 different Taylor fingerboards....one ornate, one bare, and one simple (with dots).  I love them all!   

I appreciate both the beauty/intricacy of the Nouveau and the simplicity of the plain/bare as the ebony grain is front and center.  Loved my old 816ce's inlay as well.  It's all good!  The top/sides wood and neck width are what move and inspire me (tone and play-ability).

I'm with Dennis - I NEED the side markers and don't look at the fingerboard while playing.  When tuning, I sometimes look at the 12th fret while it's on my lap as I place my smartphone on the soundboard with a tuning app (difficult, not impossible, with a bare fingerboard). 

[TaylorGirl]

My two favorite inlays are:
1. the PREVIOUS koa series Island Vine (mine is a 2014)....an all wood inlay.
2. the current 900 series Ascension Inlay....classy bling.
That said, most of Taylor's fretboard inlays are well done......even the more simplistic ones. There are only a few that I've seen that I don't care for. Taylor does a real nice job on their appointments packages, tying everything together.

[Strumming Fool]

Here's my favorite - it's one of the reasons I first bought this Taylor:





I also like the old island vine inlay on the K24 (own that too). In general, I prefer wood inlays to shell...

[shorty]

I like the Tropical Vine and also the Engraved Twist but prefer the Koa/Boxwood for the twist.

My 614ce has the Twisted Ovals which I am fond of as well. 

[Strumming Fool]

I like the Tropical Vine and also the Engraved Twist but prefer the Koa/Boxwood for the twist.

My 614ce has the Twisted Ovals which I am fond of as well. 

Yes, I  have the engraved twist inlay (koa/boxwood) on one of my customs; it's really pretty!

[Strumming Fool]

While I love the looks of vines, etc. up and down the fretboard, I admit I need the 3-5-7-9-12 markers to guide me along. Some of the more complex inlays sort of have a way to see these points, but I get confused -).  So I'm going with less-ornate fretboards till I don't need the help.  And it saves my wallet as well!

That's why the old K24 inlay is so cool. While there is a vine up and down the fretboard, there are flowers on that vine that are positioned on the 3-5-7-9-12 frets. I usually use the side markers on the neck binding anyway....

[zeebow]

this is a tough question

my favorite “bling” inlay is by far...the cindy inlay. love love love love it

my favorite organic inlay is the engraved twist with koa/boxwood (ordered it on my 1st custom)

my favorite minimalist inlay is abalone small dot or blank

i design my customs holistically, so it depends on the motivation of the build. i guess i’m fortunate to have examples from all three types i mentioned, except a blank fretboard...but i’m looking at a lowden now so.......a blank fretboard may be in my future

[Edward]

^^^Agree, I can't answer because I love both.

I love my RTs because they have a completely blank ebony board ...just looks so classy (or "classical" ).

OTOH, I love my DN-custom that has Taylor's "artist" fretboard inlays, and wears full-body shell binding like the 900s.

So it's cheating, but I'll say I like having both the bling and the "bland"

Edward