Wenge headstock decal?

[grantyoung]

Hi there.

I'm looking at getting a wenge neck, which to my understanding comes unfinished. I am interested in putting a personal decal on the headstock, but am unsure if this is doable on an unfinished neck, or whether there would be further prep work involved? From photos I've seen the wenge headstock is still smoot/flat enough to apply a decal, but applying to the raw wood seems like it might be problematic?

One alternative is to have a veneer applied, but I suspect this won't sit as nicely with the bass body (which is likely to be black korina or similar).

Thanks in advance for your thoughts/suggestions...

Regards, Grant

Thanks in adva

 

[BigSteve22]

If you're thinking a water slide decal, then yes, sealing is required. The water would swell the wood as the decal is applied, and then shrink again afterwards, crinkling the decal as it shrinks. Additionally, as wenge is an open grained wood, it should be filled and leveled after sealing. Water slide decals are also pretty fragile, so a top coat is the way to go.

On the other hand, several members have used custom die cut, self adhesive foil for their headstock logos. None of the above prep is required because they stick to almost anything right out of the package. Mrpinter had some Warmoth logos made that way and they came out quite nicely.

 

[stratamania]

You could always finish the front of the headstock for your decal and leave the rest of the neck unfinished.

 

[ByteFrenzy]

A couple of years ago when I had my small company, I had someone laser cut my company logo from two sheets of veneer, one maple and the other a darker wood, not sure which. From that I mixed two batches of logo's, half with dark and the other half with light background. This one is inlet into a wenge headstock, but I also applied some without inletting and that worked quite well too.

 

[mistermikev]

forgive if this is not helpful: I do waterslide a lot on pedals.  It has been my experience that the best way to do it is to dip it once in the water, let it sit upside down for a minute, then work it loose/around - no water on the piece I apply to.  it actually works better because the glue backing is not dilluted as much... this prevents crackle from expansion/shrinkage. just a thought.

all that said - there are online places you can use a custom image and have it cut in vinyl.  no seal required and it will stick plenty. 

 

[Verne Bunsen]

I applied a waterslide decal to a rosewood neck that was unfinished. I finished the headstock face myself, applied the decal, and then finished over it. I've never been quite happy with the result, as it was not as smooth as I'd have liked because I knew nothing of sealing/grain filling at that time. If I had it to do over again, I would ask if Warmoth would apply a clear coat to the headstock face..... Not sure what their position is on finishing a headstock without finishing the rest of the neck, but I would inquire.