Best way to sand and the modify a headstock

75lespaul

75lespaul

New member
Got the whole finishing process figured out, but the beginning and middle I would appreciate some opinions. I could grab a course sandpaper and make a sanding block but is that a good way to do it? I have a belt sander, but I have to assume THAT is overkill. I still haven't decided if I'm going to cut the top of the headstock, or add some points (Epi shape to Gibson, or possibly the old Epi like on a Genesis or my 60s Casino). If I add the extra wood to simulate the Gibson Headstock, would you do a rough piece of wood, glue it in, and then use plastic wood to fill any spaces and then shape it or something like that? The back of the headstock and the face are all black, so I don't have to worry about the wood color. Any tips would be appreciated.

For all the "yeah, don't do it" tipsters, ......:nana::flush::nana:
 
Re: Best way to sand and the modify a headstock

Start sanding by hand with a block. Sometimes a heat gun might be needed but the paint shouldn't be that thick on the headstock. As for changing the shape of it you could use a band saw, handsaw, jigsaw anything you are comfortable with. If you want to add more to the shape yopu can do that as well but i don't have the energy to explain how right now haha
 
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Re: Best way to sand and the modify a headstock

75lespaul said:
If I add the extra wood to simulate the Gibson Headstock, would you do a rough piece of wood, glue it in, and then use plastic wood to fill any spaces and then shape it or something like that? The back of the headstock and the face are all black, so I don't have to worry about the wood color.
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Yes but the wood would have to be the same thickness as the headstock and matched with the contour you are gluing onto perfectly so no filler would be needed. This would require some good clamps and some tiny pins so it doesn't move as you clamp it together, Then yes you can re shape it and sand the **** out or use a micro plane. And pointing out the obvious you would have to repaint it.
 
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Re: Best way to sand and the modify a headstock

im not saying its a waste of time modifying an epiphone headstock, but the project will take a lot of time that could be spent playing the guitar.
 
Re: Best way to sand and the modify a headstock

Sand it using a small sanding attachment for a dremel, and then cut with a dremel.

Now what exactly are you trying to do? I'm still not sure and your OP sounds a little conflicting:

"I still haven't decided if I'm going to cut the top of the headstock, or add some points (Epi shape to Gibson, or possibly the old Epi like on a Genesis or my 60s Casino). If I add the extra wood to simulate the Gibson Headstock-"

Is this a Gibson or an Epiphone? The Epiphone headstock is larger than the Gibson so why would you need to add wood? Are you trying to change a Gibson headstock to an Epiphone which would require adding wood? If so, why?
 
Re: Best way to sand and the modify a headstock

Calm yo' grits.

Altering the headstock of a recent Epiphone to resemble either a Gibson or a vintage American Epiphone is perfectly practicable but economically unwise. It will cost money to do a tidy job and, simultaneously, reduce the value of the guitar. This is not to say that it should not be attempted. Nobody can forbid you to go ahead with such a project. Just be certain that you are willing to keep the modified guitar for the rest of your life.
 
Re: Best way to sand and the modify a headstock

I like my grits hot, buttered and salty! Eggs on the side :D

We don't know the subject to be worked on - could be a total junker.
 
Re: Best way to sand and the modify a headstock

LReese said:
We don't know the subject to be worked on - could be a total junker.
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But it's so damn pretty!!!

Do whatever you want,I guess...

I'd just throw some Epi thingy on it (or not?) & play the Hell out of it!!!
 
Re: Best way to sand and the modify a headstock

I love how people are so negative on other peoples mod ideas. Those people obviously are not comfortable doing something like that so they should sit back and let the men who mod talk it over.
 
Re: Best way to sand and the modify a headstock

kramersteen said:
I love how people are so negative on other peoples mod ideas. Those people obviously are not comfortable doing something like that so they should sit back and let the men who mod talk it over.
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Thanks for the tips, I appreciate them. I don't mind the responses as long as they are respectful, which Funkfingers and someone else was. theycallmegio wasn't. And by the way gio, I have two Gibson Les Pauls and this is a project for fun because I've always wanted to try one. You need to fact find before you boast like an idiot that "oooooh, I'm playing a Gibson." Nobody really cares if you're playing a Gibson to be honest. And if you don't care about what I'm doing, then be more respectful when you post.
 
Re: Best way to sand and the modify a headstock

Rand-O-Monium said:
But it's so damn pretty!!!

Do whatever you want,I guess...

I'd just throw some Epi thingy on it (or not?) & play the Hell out of it!!!
Click to expand...

I am playing the hell out of it. I love this guitar. However, this was my test subject, so... And it cost me a grand total of $300 including the case and the original pickups, which are supposed to be the Gibson 57s. I don't know if they really are, but that's what they say.

Myaccount876 said:
Sand it using a small sanding attachment for a dremel, and then cut with a dremel.

Now what exactly are you trying to do? I'm still not sure and your OP sounds a little conflicting:

"I still haven't decided if I'm going to cut the top of the headstock, or add some points (Epi shape to Gibson, or possibly the old Epi like on a Genesis or my 60s Casino). If I add the extra wood to simulate the Gibson Headstock-"

Is this a Gibson or an Epiphone? The Epiphone headstock is larger than the Gibson so why would you need to add wood? Are you trying to change a Gibson headstock to an Epiphone which would require adding wood? If so, why?
Click to expand...

It is conflicting because I want to mull this over until I really know what I want to do. This is an Epiphone 1960 Tribute Plus. I've seen where people trace the shape of a Gibson headstock right at the top of the Epi and cut it off--probably the easiest thing to do. Also, I've seen where they will cut two small pieces of wood and glue them to the Epi headstock to "complete" what seems to be the Gibson headstock with the outer points cut off. Another thing I've considered is just taking off some wood to make it the shape of the headstock on the old Epiphones, and that wouldn't require much work either. I like that headstock as well. Hope that clears it up a little.

Rand-O-Monium said:
Progress?
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Probably none for awhile. I'm not going to do a thing unless it is in the presence of my father-in-law who is an expert woodworker. I'm an expert at destroying woodwork! I'll post pics of the progress when I start, probably the end of the month or next month. He lives two hours away so it will be when we plan our next visit. Then another month or two until the next step etc.
 
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