My Epi Headstock Reshape

[PeteTerra]

Hello, this is my first post here, although I've registered almost two months ago. I'm from Brazil and my family is made of musicians, my father and brother are guitarrists, my sister is learning the art of music, and my mom plays piano. Well, let's go to the point of this thread:

I have this Epiphone Les Paul since 2004, when I was 15. Although is MIK, it plays very well in comparison with others Epis I've played. But I always found Epi's headstocks very ugly, so I decided to reshape my Les Paul's headstock by my own. Due to some mistakes, cause I have no luthier experience, it is still in process, but I could take some fine pics of it. I don't know what kind of wood I used, but it was the best available for me at the time. Today I bought a piece of Cedar, since Mahogany is very difficult to find and VERY expensive. Enough talking, here goes the pics:

First process I took:

http://f.imagehost.org/0602/guitarras_036.jpg

I've cutted it flat, straight onto the top, glued two pieces of wood, after the sanding & repainting process, the result:

http://f.imagehost.org/0894/DSC_0637.jpg

I found this result nice for a first modification, regarding my lack of experience.

Second process I took, I've unfortunately removed the Epiphone logo due to oversanding the headstock, but I will put it again. See, no markings, which means it was very well leveled and equal:

http://f.imagehost.org/0390/DSC00883.jpg

I've put some adesive to protect the sides and corners, so I could spray it without painting the parts I would not like to.

Unfortunately, both processes went wrong, but my guitar is still alive and fine. I'm doing this process at a college here in Rio, and Tuesday I'll be there again to finish my Les Paul. I will reput the Epi logo, and write "Give'em Hell" where "Les Paul MODEL" was.

This is how it looks at this moment:

http://f.imagehost.org/0680/DSC00931.jpg
Sad, isn't it? But I will finish, and do not regret of doing this to my guitar...I know I can do it, and that's what I'll do. Wait for more pics, hope you enjoy this thread!

[Eric052492]

Usually I don't like it when people reshape the headstock because they just want it to look like a Gibson. As long as you don't put a Gibson logo up there it's all good!

[standard man]

That looks tight!

[River]

I like Epi headstocks (most of them, anyway) quite a bit.

But you've done a nice job.

[PeteTerra]

I like Gibson headstock best, that's why I did it...but no, I will not put Gibson logo there, since it is not, and will never be a Gibson. I really enjoy the fact of putting the Epi logo...because there are no such guitars like this one here in Brazil.

[jbzoso2002]

[lifele55]

It actually looks good

[Sky]

Originally Posted by Eric052492

Usually I don't like it when people reshape the headstock because they just want it to look like a Gibson. As long as you don't put a Gibson logo up there it's all good!

I also agree.
But they'd be easy to spot out because Epiphone and Gibson have different headstock angles. Only Epiphones that I know of that share that angle is the Elitest.

[PeteTerra]

Exactly, I want the Epi logo back on, soon!

[djwilbanks]

Originally Posted by Sky

I also agree.
But they'd be easy to spot out because Epiphone and Gibson have different headstock angles. Only Epiphones that I know of that share that angle is the Elitest.

Actually, all of the MIJ Epiphones have a deeper headstock angle which is vintage correct. So they actually have a deeper angle than current Gibsons.

At least... if I remember correctly.

But its true nevertheless, one can usually pick out an Epiphone fairly quickly by the headstock angle and one can usually pick out a fake Gibson due to the headstock angle being shallow like an Epiphone.

Good job on the reshape, OP.

[VastHorizon]

Originally Posted by djwilbanks

Actually, all of the MIJ Epiphones have a deeper headstock angle which is vintage correct. So they actually have a deeper angle than current Gibsons.

At least... if I remember correctly.

But its true nevertheless, one can usually pick out an Epiphone fairly quickly by the headstock angle and one can usually pick out a fake Gibson due to the headstock angle being shallow like an Epiphone.

Deej, IIRC Gibson LP's now come with the 14 degree headstock pitch. What's the spec of the MIC Epi's?

MIJ Epi's IIRC, have the 17 degree pitch witch I think is vintage correct?

[Gunner]

I think it looks pretty good.

[djwilbanks]

I think MIC Epis have like a 10 or 12 Degree pitch... maybe less. I know it's almost non-existant anymore.

Wikipedia says that most Epiphones LPs are 14 degrees and Gibson LPs are still 17... I don't think that's correct, however.

[Paul_Cat]

I wanna do that!

[Christmas]

Wow, I'm impressed. It looked good on your first try, but hey, if you think you can make it better, have at it! I understand why you'd want to do it...the Gibson headstock is more pleasing asthetically, there's no way around it IMO.

[-=[Shifty]=-]

Originally Posted by djwilbanks

I think MIC Epis have like a 10 or 12 Degree pitch... maybe less. I know it's almost non-existant anymore.

Wikipedia says that most Epiphones LPs are 14 degrees and Gibson LPs are still 17... I don't think that's correct, however.

Not that it would really matter that much but isn't it 18 degrees? That's at least what my Tokais have.
MIK Tokais have 14 degrees headstock angle and MIJ Tokais have 18 degrees.

[jbzoso2002]

My friend has a 1996 Gibson Historic 1957 Goldtop Reissue.
He brought it over and we put the guitars side by side and
the headstock angle is the same as both my MIC epiphone's.

I also saw on the epi sight about the slash gold top and that
said 17 degree headstock angle.

Which is what the r7 is as well.

Jimmy

[-=[Shifty]=-]

Originally Posted by jbzoso2002

My friend has a 1996 Gibson Historic 1957 Goldtop Reissue.
He brought it over and we put the guitars side by side and
the headstock angle is the same as both my MIC epiphone's.

I also saw on the epi sight about the slash gold top and that
said 17 degree headstock angle.

Which is what the r7 is as well.

Jimmy

My Epi definetely doesn't have nearly as much headstock angle as both of my Tokais, and they have 18 degree headstock angle.

[jbzoso2002]

I wonder why the 2 i have are 17 deg.

Thats odd

Jimmy

[Mark H]

Originally Posted by Christmas

Wow, I'm impressed. It looked good on your first try, but hey, if you think you can make it better, have at it! I understand why you'd want to do it...the Gibson headstock is more pleasing asthetically, there's no way around it IMO.

Man... I just love how Yall out there talk.."pleasing asthetically" it just sounds so neat....not sure what it means...but I love it!! Ill 2nd that on the 1st try 2? Hmm

Looks like a lotta work to make a fake Gibson stock, than again Im doin that to a EVH, fake, Strat? To each his own, thats what makes this country so GREAT!!!
But nice job!! I like the Epi shape..."Shape,,, shape of things to come" oh sorry flashback? How will you paint the script back on the new one? Decal, hand paint ect.?
Maybe a volute next??

My Epi Standard has a bigger HS than my Custom, same cool shape, the Customs just smaller? Makes ya wonder??? HMMM?

[PeteTerra]

Oh, I think stencil painting process will be just fine...It's not the original way, but I can't find or even order decals from here, it would cost too much just for a little part. The "Les Paul MODEL" script, which has been removed, will be replaced by "Give'em Hell", I will handwrite it.

[-=[Shifty]=-]

Originally Posted by jbzoso2002

I wonder why the 2 i have are 17 deg.

Thats odd

Jimmy

That's really odd!

I've read here on this forum that MIJ Epis might not fit a regular Epi case because the MIJs have more headstock angle than MIKs/MICs.

[G-Minor]

my flying v has 17degree angle. it says so on gibson .com and its much more angled than either of my epiphone les pauls ones an indonesian and the others a korean.

[PeteTerra]

Here's another picture.
I'll be working on this for the next days, but I don't know when will it be done.

More pics to come.

[#1guitarman]

Dude, that's bad ass...Gibson glues the wings on thier headstocks...and as for decals...brauskoh@hotmail.com...(no, i'm NOT him)...the BEST freakin' Decals ever made I have them on some of my rebuilds, and you can get anything you want in the O.E.M. specs. Oh! Damn! maybe that shouldnt be here?...but it kinda fits since we're following this remodel...

[PeteTerra]

guitarman, thanks for the tip, if I get the Epi decal, would fit better than spray it using stencil process.

[#1guitarman]

Oh yea, It'll fit just fine, this guy does a really good job and his prices are right, and ya can get the headstock decals in any COLOR ya want...I personally like to use, silver on my headstocks after a rebuild (if I mess up the finish!) but he's got most anything ya want...
Peace,

[PeteTerra]

Does anyone knows how Gibson paints the back of their Les Pauls? In some guitars, the wood looks darker but brown colored, a little red too...just like this:

http://mob252.photobucket.com/albums...BackBefore.jpg

And for my headstock finishing, should I use ordinary spray veneer?


What would you guys recommend?

[stone_gossard]

Originally Posted by -=[Shifty]=-

That's really odd!

I've read here on this forum that MIJ Epis might not fit a regular Epi case because the MIJs have more headstock angle than MIKs/MICs.

hello,

i can confirmed this one..becoz i tried to put my MIJ epi lp into a regular epi hardcase and yes the angle of hstock of mij epi are greater than normal mik/chinese epi..

the tip of the headstock of mij epi wud rest/touch the base of the case ..and this i think will be bad if u drop the case and the impact will be greater at the tip of the headstock..can cause damage i think.

and i use cnb brown hardcase and this wud fit nicely.

[WillieG]

That looks pretty good. I would never dare to try it, as my luthier skills are zero. I think the headstocks on Epi's are damn ugly, but as long as mine plays well I can live with it!