Matching Headstock Blues

[Picton]

Any modification like this reduces the value of the instrument, and unless done carefully and with great care, looks bad.

I'm among those who prefer matching headstocks. Certainly if you take the logo off and re-paint the headstock, you make the bass less visually desirable as well as reducing the resale value.

I suggest buying a bass that doesn't have a matching headstock.

Agreed. Especially that last bit. Why’d you buy it?

 

[bassrique]

Agreed. Especially that last bit. Why’d you buy it?

I figured I could improvise my way out of it if it looked iffy in person.
As far as a stand-in neck, my choices are limited due to it's fretless-with-lines nature. I wonder if Ibanez 24 fret 5er neck pockets are dissimilar.

 

[Redaxes]

When I first saw some of the matching headstock guitars initially it was, “not sure if I like this look”. They quickly grew on me. I have a Squier Jaguar with a matching headstock, I like the way it looks.

 

[CatchaCuda]

Maybe see if it grows on you. Or remove the hardware, carefully mask and spray it black with "temporary" wheel paint, as found at the zone.

That paint peels/wipes off with some patience and a rag with wd40 or similar.

 

[ruju]

Just leave it as is. ...

 

[bassrique]

Agreed. Especially that last bit. Why’d you buy it?

I almost forgot. A big reason was while I was cruising used gear, that bass stood out at $170+$20 shipping.

 

[Picton]

I almost forgot. A big reason was while I was cruising used gear, that bass stood out at $170+$20 shipping.

Oof. Say no more.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

All of the basses in my stable have matching headstocks. I’m a sick, sick man.

 

[AHaze]

A piece of faux fur glued to head stock is the clear answer here.
Not that you asked, but I'm not a fan of matching burst head stocks either. Like em on solid color basses though.

 

[ctmullins]

This is a thing? Really?

Would you buy a car that had paint everywhere except the roof?

 

[bobomatic]

Vinyl wrap that puppy. Any color you like, and it comes off with a hair dryer.

 

[Moose22]

A piece of faux fur glued to head stock is the clear answer here.

This is totally the answer.

 

[Ghastly]

I like it as is. But black would look good too. Or black at the end and graduate it to the burst as it gets closer to the nut?

 

[Pilgrim]

All of the basses in my stable have matching headstocks. I’m a sick, sick man.

But you're happy in your sick and decrepit state!!

 

[TakeABreak]

Claims to be removable, though I haven’t tried removing it. Looks great on the car wheels.

 

[cnltb]

...really?!

 

[Kerplunk]

Vinyl wrap that puppy. Any color you like, and it comes off with a hair dryer.

I like this idea. You can buy vinyl in any colour from a Signwriting suppliers. They could also refer you to one of their customers, that could print anything you want onto it, including woodgrains and logo's.

As for coming off with a hairdryer, I'd talk about that with the signwriter. The adhesive used cures over time and, whilst some heat may get some of the vinyl off, you may need certain chemicals to remove, not only the vinyl, but the adhesive residue. Not sure how they might react to the underlying paint or poly. Also, there are other "vinyls" that use micro suction, which may or may not be an alternative solution for you, as they are easily removed or replaced as you desire.

 

[Oddly]

I'd say wait until you get it in your hands for a while.
You may come to love it...I'm certainly not alone in this thread in thinking that it looks great as it is.

 

[ThingsAbove]

Plasti Dip spray. You can get any color and it peels right off when you grow weary of the color or you want to sell it.

 

[LanEvo]

Another vote for vinyl wrap

Buy a sheet of matte black vinyl: 3M and Avery are the brands to look for. Stick it on, hit it with a blow dryer (assuming you don’t have a heat gun), and trim off the excess.

The whole thing will take 10 min and it’s 100% reversible. Just need heat and some naphtha to remove it.