RetroSpec Exclusive Series Cellulose Nitrate Les Paul Fingerboard Inlays

We're proud to offer one of the most visually defining elements of a true late-'50s Les Paul — the RetroSpec Exclusive Series Cellulose Nitrate Fingerboard Inlays. Crafted with a focus on period-correct material and construction, these inlays capture the depth, character, and subtle complexity that set original Burst-era instruments apart.

On original 1958–1960 Les Paul Standards, fingerboard inlays were made from cellulose nitrate — a material known for its internal warmth and translucency. Under light, nitrate reveals a soft glow and natural depth, unlike modern ABS or acrylic, which tend to look flat and lifeless by comparison.

Our inlays are made from genuine cellulose nitrate by Mazzucchelli — the original Italian material house that supplied Gibson in the 1950s. We went straight to the source: we contacted Mazzucchelli to bring back the original material, made to order specifically for Historic Makeovers, produced in Italy to our own specifications and in the correct ivory/cream tone — refined for an authentic vintage look right out of the package.

And because it's the real material, it behaves like the real material. Genuine nitrate ages and shrinks over time, exactly the way it does on original 1950s guitars — because it is the 1950s material. This is something no ABS or acrylic reproduction can ever do.

These inlays are cut to vintage-correct dimensions — the same measurements found on 1950s Les Pauls, not the slightly altered sizing common to modern reproductions. Each is .070″ thick with the pattern running all the way through the material, allowing for proper sanding and finishing during installation. And like original examples, each inlay carries its own unique pattern, giving the completed fingerboard a natural, varied appearance.

This is more than just a replacement — it's a material-correct upgrade that brings your instrument closer to true vintage spec, both visually and structurally.

Experience the depth and authenticity of genuine nitrate — only from RetroSpec.

*This listing is for a full set of 9 fingerboard inlays.

*Please allow 3–5 business days for shipping.