Laser etched stringed instrument and method of manufacture

A method of adorning at least one of a body, a neck, and a headstock of a stringed instrument, the method comprising steps of:

• obtaining a stringed instrument having at least one coating layer applied over at least one of said body, said neck and said headstock;
• defining a digital representation of an artwork image for application upon a target section of said stringed instrument, wherein said target section of said stringed instrument is at least one of said body, said neck and said headstock;
• programming said digital representation of said artwork image into a computer controlling a laser etching system;
• programming a laser etching power into said computer;
• locating a laser and said target section of said stringed instrument in registration with one another whereby said laser will replicate said artwork image onto said target section of said stringed instrument at a desired location;
• and
• etching said artwork image onto said target section of said stringed instrument at a desired location by using a laser to remove a portion of an at least an outer layer of said at least one coating layer from said target section of said stringed instrument in accordance with said digital representation said artwork image, wherein said removed portion of said at least an outer layer exposes a material beneath said removed portion of said at least an outer layer, creating a contrast, wherein said contrast creates a visible image replicating said artwork image.