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Sire U5 headstock mod

B

Belcanto

Feb 8, 2025
35
62
#1
Having asked a question about a headstock mod effect on tone and gotten a quite reassuring respons that I was not to worry I did it. Here is a link to that thread. And here is a short version of how I did it. First of, I'm an average tinkerer who normally are focused on metal working so the tool I have are not very optimal for this project.
First of I had to reduce the size of the tuner holes from 18 to 14 mm. This was made from drilling cylinders from scrap pieces from my friends violin making and then making cylinders in my mini lathe.
_DSF2618.jpg

After gluing them in place and shaving of the extra I plugged all the old screwholes on the rear side.
_DSF2620.jpg

Apart from me not liking the shape of the headstock and since I was ruining the original logo why not do a flammed maple top on the headstock. How ever i tried I couldn't get hold of any flammed maple vener so two slices of these violin leftovers had to do. Planed on one side on my disc sander but to thick I glued them on and afterwards milled them down to approx 1.5mm.
_DSF2623.jpg

Reshaping the head.
_DSF2625.jpg

Finally tint. I had no possibility to do a toneburst finnish so i reasoned that that far of from the body everything should be this tobacco red. Topped of with 2k clear coat.
_DSF2631.jpg

On the rear the best way to get rid och all those screw holes was vener again. Alas no maple vener from where i am, but I got hold of thin birch vener. So that went on the rear side.
_DSF2633.jpg

So that was it.
_DSF2632.jpg
_DSF2630.jpg
 
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#2
Nicely done! How was your experience with 2k clearcoat? The poisonous stuff or water based? My experience with water borne finishes so far is that they are not particularly durable or scratch resistant. Emcat makes a water borne 2k finish now, but only in gallons, which would take me years to use. Been considering the Rattlecan 2K finishes, but they are hellaciously toxic.
 
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#4
Thanks!
I used the car version, suppose the toxic stuff. Used a active coal-filter in my mask. The paint is the best stuff i've used. Good finish and very durable. A little tip. In my case I didn't need but a small potion of the bottle. So when i was done I put the bottle in the freezer. It stops the hardening process and lately I used another can three months after activating it.
 
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#5
Indeed well done, for some reason your headstock mod reminds me of the Pedulla Thunderbass headstock.

I wouldn't discount your woodworking skills, to make those nice little filler pieces certainly had to be challenging.
I have to ask looking at the output of your project, are you hooked yet? :)

Actually metal tooling on wood often works quite well. I once made a nice purpleheart flute on a huge metal lathe.
It took forever as the purpleheart weeps sticky resin when drilling though.
 
#6
Well done!

You actual raised the height on your tuners which changes the angle at which the strings go through the nut. I would think a string tree, perhaps the one that was on the headstock prior to modification, would need to be used to insure maximum sustain and resonance, especially since it was originally on the bass.
 
#8
Belcanto said:
Having asked a question about a headstock mod effect on tone and gotten a quite reassuring respons that I was not to worry I did it. Here is a link to that thread. And here is a short version of how I did it. First of, I'm an average tinkerer who normally are focused on metal working so the tool I have are not very optimal for this project.
First of I had to reduce the size of the tuner holes from 18 to 14 mm. This was made from drilling cylinders from scrap pieces from my friends violin making and then making cylinders in my mini lathe.
View attachment 7301705
After gluing them in place and shaving of the extra I plugged all the old screwholes on the rear side.
View attachment 7301706
Apart from me not liking the shape of the headstock and since I was ruining the original logo why not do a flammed maple top on the headstock. How ever i tried I couldn't get hold of any flammed maple vener so two slices of these violin leftovers had to do. Planed on one side on my disc sander but to thick I glued them on and afterwards milled them down to approx 1.5mm.
View attachment 7301707
Reshaping the head.
View attachment 7301708
Finally tint. I had no possibility to do a toneburst finnish so i reasoned that that far of from the body everything should be this tobacco red. Topped of with 2k clear coat.
View attachment 7301712
On the rear the best way to get rid och all those screw holes was vener again. Alas no maple vener from where i am, but I got hold of thin birch vener. So that went on the rear side.
View attachment 7301714
So that was it.
View attachment 7301716View attachment 7301717
Click to expand...
Nice work!
 
#10
Pep said:
Well done!

You actual raised the height on your tuners which changes the angle at which the strings go through the nut. I would think a string tree, perhaps the one that was on the headstock prior to modification, would need to be used to insure maximum sustain and resonance, especially since it was originally on the bass.
Click to expand...
Thinking about it again, I actually lowered the tuners. Since the tuners are mounted from the back wich had an extra layer of veneer.
 
#12
Dirk Diggler said:
Indeed well done, for some reason your headstock mod reminds me of the Pedulla Thunderbass headstock.

I wouldn't discount your woodworking skills, to make those nice little filler pieces certainly had to be challenging.
I have to ask looking at the output of your project, are you hooked yet? :)

Actually metal tooling on wood often works quite well. I once made a nice purpleheart flute on a huge metal lathe.
It took forever as the purpleheart weeps sticky resin when drilling though.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Just to keep it real. Those filler pieces are from wooden shanked cotton swabs. They are very cylindrical and exactly 2mm. So drill 2mm and what do you know. :)
 
#16
Belcanto said:
Having asked a question about a headstock mod effect on tone and gotten a quite reassuring respons that I was not to worry I did it. Here is a link to that thread. And here is a short version of how I did it. First of, I'm an average tinkerer who normally are focused on metal working so the tool I have are not very optimal for this project.
First of I had to reduce the size of the tuner holes from 18 to 14 mm. This was made from drilling cylinders from scrap pieces from my friends violin making and then making cylinders in my mini lathe.
View attachment 7301705
After gluing them in place and shaving of the extra I plugged all the old screwholes on the rear side.
View attachment 7301706
Apart from me not liking the shape of the headstock and since I was ruining the original logo why not do a flammed maple top on the headstock. How ever i tried I couldn't get hold of any flammed maple vener so two slices of these violin leftovers had to do. Planed on one side on my disc sander but to thick I glued them on and afterwards milled them down to approx 1.5mm.
View attachment 7301707
Reshaping the head.
View attachment 7301708
Finally tint. I had no possibility to do a toneburst finnish so i reasoned that that far of from the body everything should be this tobacco red. Topped of with 2k clear coat.
View attachment 7301712
On the rear the best way to get rid och all those screw holes was vener again. Alas no maple vener from where i am, but I got hold of thin birch vener. So that went on the rear side.
View attachment 7301714
So that was it.
View attachment 7301716View attachment 7301717
Click to expand...
 

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