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This problem is on a Les Paul with trapezoidal inlays. I've had the inlays worked on before, and I believe the person who worked on them used superglue to keep them in there previously, but for some reason two of the inlays have started to lift again. They stand proud of the fingerboard on the treble side by about 1 or 2 mm. I can press them back in so that they are flush with the fretboard surface, but they will spring back up unless they are properly re-glued. I tried to lift them out with an X-Acto knife but they don't seem like they want to come out all the way (the glue on the bass side seems to be holding up better). Ultimately, I want the inlays to stay flush with the fretboard surface again. What is the best way to approach this problem? Can anyone here who's worked on inlays like these before walk me through this? Thanks.

Hmmm, lets wait for the guys experienced in inlay to answer, but in the meantime, do you have CA glue and a small clamp lying around?

If it were CA (cyanoacrylate a.k.a. Superglue) holding them in then the bond probably wouldn't be flexible enough to lift one side up like that without breaking the bond on the other side or the inlay. It sounds like either it isn't the glue holding it in or that the wrong glue was used. CA is what pros use and it doesn't let go of inlays.

Anyhow, the proper fix has been alluded to. Try to get it out, but if you can't then clamp it flush and wick some thin CA in around the inlay. Let it cure, decamp and clean up, and you're golden.

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Bob Garrish
Former Canonized Purveyor of Fine CNC Luthier Services