How can i remove writing from back of Skyline?

[Loel]

I have a Lakland Skyline Glaub.i'd like to remove
the writing from the back of the headstock,
i know it's under the satin finish,will it just
peel off after a bit of sanding or is it ingrained
into the wood,has anyone attempted this,
tips info on this would be much appreciated..

thx
HD

pic:

[Zooberwerx]

Why? It doesn't look tacky or out-of-place.

Riis

[elBandito]

What is printed there anyway?

[RTL]

I believe it says "Designed in Chicago, Crafted in Korea" or something like that.

Don't tell me you're embarrassed that your bass was made overseas! Lakland Skylines have an reputation for amazing tone and impeccable quality, so what's the big deal?

Flaunt the Skyline-ness, bro!

[msiner]

You want to remove the writing, but you still have the "CE" sticker on there? Short of sanding, you probably aren't going to get that off as easy as you might hope. There was another thread I just saw where a guy chemically stripped the tinted finish of an SX neck and the SX logo was still intact when he was done. So, yes, I would guess that the writing is under the finish.

[HogieWan]

Originally Posted by RTL

I believe it says "Designed in Chicago, Crafted in Korea" or something like that.

Don't tell me you're embarrassed that your bass was made overseas! Lakland Skylines have an reputation for amazing tone and impeccable quality, so what's the big deal?

Flaunt the Skyline-ness, bro!

It still says "Skyline" on the front of the headstock

[RTL]

Right.
But I think this is the OP's state of mind: Not everyone knows what "Skyline" means. Everyone knows what "Made in Korea" means.

Maybe I'm completely wrong here, but that's kind of what it feels like. We've all gone through that at some point though, haven't we? I remember being self-conscious about a MIM Stratocaster I had when I was younger (and a guitard).

[Zooberwerx]

My wife has been trying to bleach my name off our marriage certificate. Kinda the same thing, I guess.

Riis

[Alaska Bass]

It might not work on this, but platen ink remover will take off permanent marker without any hard rubbing. It wipes off like dirt with a rag. I found this out legally and ethically, btw!

[Loel]

Actually this is more of a how to thread as opposed
to why,truth is i'm not a fan of identifiying marks or
tatoos,front of headstock says Lakland Skyline which
clearly identifies as korean lakland,rear of headstock is
just clutter,i'm thinkin' maybe a dremel tool..

[Zooberwerx]

I'd go chemical before mechanical. You might want to try a small dab of acetone as a trial. I'm of the assumption that the clear coat is protecting the graphics / print beneath.

Riis

[Loel]

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

I'd go chemical before mechanical. You might want to try a small dab of acetone as a trial. I'm of the assumption that the clear coat is protecting the graphics / print beneath.

Riis

I agree, this sounds like a logical approach,think i'll try
a Q-tip dab of acetone and see what results may come.

[Cutty]

Leave alone,it will look bad!!

[JTE]

Originally Posted by HooDoo

Actually this is more of a how to thread as opposed
to why,truth is i'm not a fan of identifiying marks or
tatoos,front of headstock says Lakland Skyline which
clearly identifies as korean lakland,rear of headstock is
just clutter,i'm thinkin' maybe a dremel tool..

Could I buy sentence?

So, the marks on the back of the headstock that no one ever sees are annoying enough to make you want to attack the instrument with a Dremel or with chemicals?



jte

[Pilgrim]

I don't see the point in removing the writing, especially when modifications tend to reduce the value of the instrument.

If you MUST remove it for perverse reasons, then you can try to use chemicals - but anything that removes the writing will first remove the finish over that writing. Then you'll need to determine what finish material was used, and after you remove the writing (if it's a decal and not stained into the wood), you will need to re-finish the bare spot.

Sanding will probably not only remove the finish, but it may also cause a color change in the wood such that the spot occupied by the writing is clearly visible and looks bad. Then you'll need to not only refinish, but also devise a stain that will color the wood to that it matches the surrounding wood.

I wouldn't bet that chemicals won't change the color too, but there's probably a bit less chance of that, compared with sanding.

So - how good are you at custom staining and tinting finishes to match original work????

All in all, it's a very bad idea that will result in a lot of work unless you do a half-assed job that leaves a nasty looking spot in the finish - which would be much more offensive than the writing. On a Lakland, I don't see the cost/benefit working out in your favor.

Learn to LOVE the writing. It's your friend!

[Toneman]

take a piece of 0000 very fine steel wool and dip in a a good paste wax like bees wax. Rub very gently in a small circular motion and it will come off with no damage to the finish.

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by HogieWan

It still says "Skyline" on the front of the headstock

Yup - and anyone who knows enough to care will always know that you do NOT have a US Lakland, you have an offshore bass, no matter how nice it sounds and looks. If this really eats at you, sell it and save your money for a US Lakland.

[JAUQO III-X]

Come on guys, maybe he wants to take off Korea and put made in the USA on it.


And of course indicating that it's made in the USA takes the value up

[Toneman]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

Yup - and anyone who knows enough to care will always know that you do NOT have a US Lakland, you have an offshore bass, no matter how nice it sounds and looks. If this really eats at you, sell it and save your money for a US Lakland.

I don't get the big deal the original poster just wants to take the writing off the back of the neck and aked for some advise, it doesn't mean he's ashamed or doesn't like the bass. I'm the same way,I took the big Aguilar and big yellow Markbass logos off my cabinets but I still love them and don't want anything else. Sounds like he just wants a cleaner look. We all know skylines are great basses I've owned four over the years and take no offense to his post.

[elBandito]

Then why leave the big logo in the front? Removing something that's not visible, but still leaving a big logo, to make the bass look 'cleaner'? I'm not following the logic.