Headstock Logo Techniques

[bigTbass]

So I am working on my first bass build. It is a four string fretless with a through the body neck. The neck is five piece maple/walnut and it will have a Walnut/Maple/Walnut body. The fingerboard is Jatoba.

My main bass is a Carvin LB75, so I've been getting some inspiration from there.

So far I have completed the neck and I am just starting the body sides. I am starting to think ahead to the headstock logo. I have an idea for the design. My name is Tom and I have had the nickname T for years.... So I want to put a T on the headstock.

I am not sure what technique I want to use to put the logo on the bass. I want something that is relatively simple (for a first build). Also, I am planning to use a Tung oil finish on the bass. I have seen logo's placed under layers of poly but I don't think that will work with Tung oil. Any suggestions?

I had one crazy idea.... I could use a wood burning tool or some sort of brand to "burn" the logo into the headstock. Anybody ever try this?

[Phillip Jordan]

Luthiers Corner?

Checkout callowhill.net. Tim does great work. He has a buddy that runs a coffee shop that does most of the wood-burning work but those pics should inspire you. Enjoy.

[BassBilodeau]

Originally Posted by bigTbass

I had one crazy idea.... I could use a wood burning tool or some sort of brand to "burn" the logo into the headstock. Anybody ever try this?

I tried that once, turned bad... I'm going to a local trophy maker, he got a laser-engraving tool. I bring him a 1/8 thin maple piece of wood and a USB key with my logo on (made with Illustrator) and for 12$ I have my logo in 2 days. Then, I glue it and screw it on the headstock. I'm using Danish oil and it looks great.

Good luck!

[leppikallio]

One easy trick could be stack the headstock veneer and that to-be-T veneer with double sided tape or better yet few drops with hotmelt glue. Then drill tiny hole in the corner of the T and cut the T out using jewelers saw. Those blades will go through .55mm (.02") hole and those cut nicely, quite quickly and cleanly. Now you'll have T which will fit nicely to the hole in the headstock veneer. There will be tiny gap along the outside of the T but that is easy to fill for example using sanding dust you get when sanding the headstock.

I think this technique works best with relatively thin veneers but I have used it with 2mm thick "boards" as well, it is just more difficult and critical to keep the saw perfectly perpendicular to the boards.

[bigTbass]

Thanks for the tips. Those callowhill basses look pretty good. I may start experimenting on some scrap wood.

Having a logo on a separate piece of wood is a good idea, would let me mess up and not damage the bass. I might try that or use it as a fix if I mess the bass up. Looks good on your basses.

I wasn't planning on putting a veneer overlay on the headstock, I really like the five piece neck showing though.

I probably have about a month until I will get to the headstock logo, so I still have some time to experiment. I could also route or carve out a pocket and fit wooden T in. Then plane, sand flush. This would probably take some time though.