Help with a headstock design.

Hey guys, I was wondering if this design would be possible with the necks that Pitbull Guitars sell, I figured I'd probably need a left handed neck on a right handed guitar so that it can be shaped to this angle, but would it hold without some sort of bracing? If not, is there anyway I could reinforce it?

Thanks,

Brody.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...ckmachine1.jpg

The pitbull necks are not drilled for the tuners, so, I would think/ presume yes, you could go that design

Can't help with the answer Brody but.... mmmmm.. love BlackMachine guitars!

Brody - have a look at MaxAxe's Stealthcaster (http://www.pitbullguitars.com/?page_...iewtopic&t=290). That shows that you can do all sorts of things with the necks. If you get a lefty neck you will need to make a nut or buy a premade one - can be done, but if you don't have the tools, it can be expensive to get them if you are only wanting one neck done. Overall I think it's possible - I'd probably look at some form of bracing, but certainly possible.

Hey guys, I asked Brody to post this question here as my main concern was doing that shape headstock in Chinese Maple. I'd be worried about the integrity of the wood and whether it would hold up under tension. I know Perry Ormsby does this headstock style, but I'm sure the wood he's using is far superior.

If you think it will be ok in our kits then we can order Brody a 24 fret maple neck in left handed configuration, with a blank headstock.

I wouldn't try it, the first time it took a knock, i think there is a fair chance that it will break.

My Stealthcaster one is strong enough by virtue of the tuner posts coming in "horizontally" relative to the 'stock, thus allowing really "deep" maple sections for rigidity against tension.
I'm no expert, but I agree with Gavin that the proposed 'stock would be risky without special attention.

Looking at the headstock of the BlackMachine site (http://www.blackmachine.net/gallery.htm) it looks like they are a laminated neck / headstock though with a bound edge it's hard to tell. That would give it additional strength. Personally I think it would be a risky proposition - though you could get something close - without taking so much out of the headstock - keep at least a nut's width through the whole headstock - could still be quite pointy, but not as "swept".

As Adam said Perry Ormsby's HypeMachines have a similar headstock (I like it way more than the Blackmachine) and all of those necks are laminated.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...84558534_n.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...12065355_n.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...53620111_n.jpg

There would be ways you could approximate the shape while leaving more wood on the headstock. You could possibly use a router to make a two level headstock like on the Tardiscaster.(I can't remember who made that one so I can't look up the build diary for it.)

I believe it was Phloggy.

It was Phloggy.

Birdyvii, you could try something like this. If you picked the colours right it would look kind of like what you want, without sacrificing headstock stability.

http://i.imgur.com/rhqFhVj.jpg

Guess I'll chime in as well.
Over the years I've done a good many headstock mods for people. The only one that was a pain to do and turned into a total nightmare was a friend of mine had fallen in love with my Parker Fly about 8 years ago when I still had it. He wanted a guitar to look like it without spending $3000+ to actually get a real one.
The body was no problem at all.
The headstock on the other hand....
We were using a maple neck from Carvin. I cut the shape, sand, paint and it looked fantastic. He took it on stage, turned and hit the underneath of the headstock and split it in two. I wouldn't try it BUT....You might like this variation that should be strong enough....

Attachment 1439

The reason why Perry gets away with this headstock design is due to his necks being three piece laminates with two strips of carbon fibre sheet incorporated...

In answer to Adams concern re Chinese Maple, i agree. It is a lot softer than North American Rock Maple...

^ ^ What Db said ^ ^ :D

Parker gets away with it cause their necks are composite.