Pearloid

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Pearloid inlays in the neck of a Gibson Les Paul electric guitar

Pearloid is a plastic that is intended to resemble mother of pearl. It is commonly used in making musical instruments, especially for pickguards, electric guitar inlays, and accordions.[1]

Production

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Pearloid is produced by swirling together chunks of celluloid in a solvent, then curing, which gives it a mother of pearl effect.[2] It is sliced and bonded to or inlaid in other materials, such as the wood of guitar necks.[2]

Pearloid is used in any context where genuine mother of pearl or abalone might be used, as it is much cheaper. Gibson uses it as a substitute for the mother of pearl inlays in the fretboards on most of its guitars.[3] Various colored versions are often used on items intended to have a retro appearance.[4]

See also

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References

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