When designing an instrument, and you have a neck finished (whether it be a pre-built or otherwise), have you ever had the instrument builder's equivalent of writer's block? Every time I try to design a body for this neck, the headstock kills it.

Yup, trying to be different-ending up a copycat....

Jus' keep drawing. After ten or so crumpled pieces of paper, you're bound to come up with something that works.

That said, if you're not dealing with a premade neck, it's probably better to draw up the entire bass in one sitting.

I've had that before, only normally its as if i've got ideas, i just can't draw it correctly, and normally it's with bodys. If you've designed a headstock before that you really like, i'd suggest just repeating it, thus establishing a trend.

I've done that, and it's become sortof like a signature. that way i can change the body shape, neck size, pretty much anything, and you'll know it's made by me because of the headstock. Like Fender or G&L, you'll always know who built it by looking at the head.

Well then do what I do - change the headstock! Alter it slightly or radically but make it work.

But it would be a rare thing for me to find myself in that situation. Planning is the key.