Paddle head question

[bassgod76]

I need to buy a neck thru paddle blank from Carvin for a project I have planned.

My question is regarding the face of the headstock. I notice some makers place a black laminate over the face of the headstock.

I assume this extra step makes for less finishing and adds structural support to prevent cracks forming at the tuner holes. Is this correct?

My question relates to the mounting of the laminate.

Do you mount the laminate first, then cut out the headstock shape?

OR

Do you cut out the hedstock shape on the neck blank and laminate first, then mate them together?

Any help would rule!

[HaMMerHeD]

Gluing the laminate before cutting it out makes for less work, so that's the way I do it.

[giacomini]

I guess you're talking about a matching headstock, isn't it?

If so, it is painted, not laminated.

[bassgod76]

Originally Posted by HaMMerHeD

Gluing the laminate before cutting it out makes for less work, so that's the way I do it.

Would use a paddle laminate if you were recreating this?

[HaMMerHeD]

I would probably just pore-fill and paint it.

[bassgod76]

Originally Posted by HaMMerHeD

I would probably just pore-fill and paint it.

I assume the tuner holes wouldn't crack or split. Here's a dumb question. If adding the laminate is an extra step, why do cheaper Ibanez Soundgears use it?

[HaMMerHeD]

I am 100% positive that the cheaper Ibanez headstocks are just painted. I had/have a Mikro bass which had a black headstock. I sanded it off. It was painted.

I think they paint them all black because they are assembly line basses, and the necks, bodies, and other parts aren't all made in the same places where they are assembled. So they paint them all black, which is a neutral color, so it matches everything.

[bassgod76]

Originally Posted by HaMMerHeD

I am 100% positive that the cheaper Ibanez headstocks are just painted. I had/have a Mikro bass which had a black headstock. I sanded it off. It was painted.

I think they paint them all black because they are assembly line basses, and the necks, bodies, and other parts aren't all made in the same places where they are assembled. So they paint them all black, which is a neutral color, so it matches everything.

Does anyone besides Carvin make these neck thru blanks?

The Carvin is good, because it has an ebony board, 24 frets, etc. The only gripe I have is that the trus rod adjust is on the nut instead of the heel.

[HaMMerHeD]

You could probably find a luthier to build it to spec for you, but I am not aware of any who make it as easy as Carvin does.

[bassgod76]

Originally Posted by HaMMerHeD

You could probably find a luthier to build it to spec for you, but I am not aware of any who make it as easy as Carvin does.

Well, looks like Carvin is my most cost-effective option.
Thanks!

[Hopkins]

Originally Posted by HaMMerHeD

I am 100% positive that the cheaper Ibanez headstocks are just painted. I had/have a Mikro bass which had a black headstock. I sanded it off. It was painted.

I think they paint them all black because they are assembly line basses, and the necks, bodies, and other parts aren't all made in the same places where they are assembled. So they paint them all black, which is a neutral color, so it matches everything.

Somebody gave me an Epiphone Les Paul that had a broken off headstock. They had some type of plastic resin veneer on the top of the head stock.

[HaMMerHeD]

Originally Posted by Hopkins

Somebody gave me an Epiphone Les Paul that had a broken off headstock. They had some type of plastic resin veneer on the top of the head stock.

Yes, but Epiphone isn't Ibanez and I was referring specifically to Ibanez.

[Hopkins]

Originally Posted by HaMMerHeD

Yes, but Epiphone isn't Ibanez and I was referring specifically to Ibanez.

Yeah, but the whole "cheaper instruments" thing was brought up before that.

[bassgod76]

I thought that veneer was placed on there to help from cracks, but Fender doesn't do it for their instruments, so I'm an idiot.

[ctmullins]

Originally Posted by bassgod76

I thought that veneer was placed on there to help from cracks, but Fender doesn't do it for their instruments, so I'm an idiot.

All of the large manufacturers are guilty of sometimes doing things for economic reasons instead of functional reasons.