Guitar Headstock Logo

[Dansk_84]

Hi Guys

Im looking for a method of creating a headstock logo to go on my guitars. I want to be able to create the same logo time and time again on my guitars.

Ive attached a picture of a logo on a headstock, this is the kind of look im going for, can anybody tell me how such a logo would be produced identically on all guitars?

I look forward to a responce

Regards

Dan

[paggerman]

I can't see your picture. However, CNC machine shops are able to produce just about any shape, in any material, time and time again. Google Cnc machining in your town. If you give them your headstocks they will also be able to carve the inlay for you. Perfect fit every time.

[Mark Hammer]

Small Bear Electronics sells sheets of decal stock (see here: Results for Enclosures ) for people who like to put graphics on their pedals. You can easily use that stuff for making headstock decals too.

[Dansk_84]

I forgot to attach the link
http://www.daemonessguitars.co.uk/ga...an_bltb_08.jpg

Im not to keen on having a CNC machine cut out my logo, that would require a cavaty of the exact same size cut into the headstock of the the guitar.

That idea of the decals sound like a good idea, ill have a quick look at it

Cheers

[52 Bill]

There are a few simple ways to put logos on you guitars. One is a decal, either a water slide type or a vinyl cut type. Another is to use a silk screen to print it on each guitar. Each method has it's good and bad points, and some are easier to do than others. What will work best for you will be your decision.

Water slide decals are like the type that model car and train enthusiasts use. An image is printed on a sheet of paper that has been coated with a layer of water soluble glue. When the paper is dipped in water, the printed image will slide off and then can be applied to the headstock. This is the type that Fender used for a million years. The negative side is that if they are not clear overcoated, they can scratch off. Decal paper is available from a number of sources. Small Bear is one, but any craft or modeling shop that carries Testor's brand model paints, usually carries their decal paper as well. These will work with inkjet printers or with laser printers. There are a number of sites on the web that detail how to make and apply these decals.

Another decal is the self adhesive vinyl cut type. This requires the use of an x-y plotter with a knife head. Your artwork needs to be vectorized so the plotter can cut out the vinyl letters. Once they have been cut out, they are peeled from a backing sheet and stuck to the headstock. Again, if they are not overcoated they can peel off. Some sign shops will take on these jobs, and will output a sheet of 20 logos on a single page.

Silkscreening is another common method used to add logos to headstocks. Gibson has used this method to add the Les Paul Model to their headstocks. This requires that a small silkscreen be made from your artwork. The screen is then aligned on the headstock face and the ink is squeegeed through the screen onto the headstock. Again, there are many sites that will detail how to make and use a silkscreen to print things on the web.

Hope this helps.

[Gunn_Slinger]

Hi guys
Just a note on the waterslide method. The decals come on a sheet of x amount. You need to clear coat the sheet and let it dry. Then when you use the water slide method, the decals are clear coated already. works very well

[Slobrain]

Look up Ron Kirn on the internet, he builds guitars and is really good at that too. I think he does his waterslide decals so he might be able to tell you how to do them.

Ron Kirn Signature

[Rick Turner]

Talk to John at Scary Creative in Van Nuys, CA. He does dry transfers and you can go with multiple colors.

[Mick Bailey]

I have a customer here in the UK who silk screens guitar decals onto water slide paper for customers - many in the US. This method produces a high-quality graphic with permanent, light-fast, dense colours including metallics. The results are far better than inkjet or laser printed decals.

Take a look at the Fret King Green Label guitars (the custom built ones) for an example of his work. They come as a sheet with dozens of images printed and can be cut out, given a couple of minutes in water and slid into position.

I recently read of a wipe-on floor polish that was used to seal guitar water slides years ago - think it was made by Johnson.