Headstock questions

[Dove37]

Buying a new to me Warmoth build with a couple of issues

Told by the seller:

Goncalo Alves neck

Finished in amber tinted linseed oil

Owner had attached a small emblem on the bulb end of the headstock with 2 small screws that go in but not through

So....

1. Can I successfully apply a custom foil decal to this and have it look pro?

2.  Can I make those 2 little screw holes go away?

3.  If the decal is a no go, what is the best place to send for a custom lase engraving job? Contacted a few places and the didn’t really know what a headstock is.

All the very best and I promise a plethora of pictures at the end of the week.

Thanks in advance

Larry

 

[bagman67]

Hey, Larry, welcome to the addiction.


I think it would be easiest for us to answer with a photo of the surface you are talking about.  In general, if you want to apply a waterslide decal, you'd want the surface to be as perfectly filled (using a real wood putty, not spackle) and sanded as possible, sealed with shellac or lacquer, then decal applied, additional coats of finish to bury the decal.  There are numerous threads on this board describing the process.  For a foil decal, well, again, a photo or other more complete description of the product would be helpful.  The amber linseed oil finish complicates things, but you could sand or strip the headstock face bare and pick up from there.  For a foil decal that's not intended to be buried in a finish, I would just try doing one on a piece of scrap finished with linseed oil and see how it works.  If it works, boom, no need to keep thinking about it.  Just go forth.  If it doesn't, then you've got more work on your hands.


For laser engraving, you can try local trophy shops or maker labs, where experienced folks might be able to work with you even if they have never specifically turned their skills to a guitar headstock.  There are likely online providers for this kind of work, too.  TDPRI and Project Guitar have lots of skilled folks who could help you out, and also, try Etsy, who knows, maybe you'll find something there.