mickc Posted October 17, 2006 Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 Hi Guys, I have a standard 6 string Les Paul neck, and want to convert it to a 12 string. I know i have to extend the headstock and fill in the existing tuner holes first. I think to fill the tuner holes i will use mahogany dowels (the neck is mahogany also) and sand flat, but im not sure how to exteNd the headstock. I was thinking of cutting the last inch or so off the headstock and glueing a fill in piece in between, but would that be strong enough? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikbojerik Posted October 17, 2006 Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 Bad idea on the headstock. If you glue end-grain to end-grain, it is the weakest of all possible wood joints. Also, a typical 6-neck is usually pretty narrow for 12. If you're determined, you might have a look at the Steinberger gearless tuners at the StewMac web site, and see if you can cram 6 more on the headstock you've got. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickc Posted October 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 Bad idea on the headstock. If you glue end-grain to end-grain, it is the weakest of all possible wood joints. Also, a typical 6-neck is usually pretty narrow for 12. If you're determined, you might have a look at the Steinberger gearless tuners at the StewMac web site, and see if you can cram 6 more on the headstock you've got. Yeah, I though as much.... i can almost fit the tuners i have 6 a side, as long as i dont want to turn them!!, i will look for smaller tuners Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bz2 Posted October 17, 2006 Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 You could cut the head of diagonally (viewed from the side), like a scarf joint but a bit out on the head, and the glue on another piece. Not sure if it would be strong enough though as you probably would have to strengthen it with some dowels.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erikbojerik Posted October 17, 2006 Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 If you do anything like that, a veneer on the top and back of the headstock will strengthen it significantly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bz2 Posted October 17, 2006 Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 If you do anything like that, a veneer on the top and back of the headstock will strengthen it significantly. Plus it can be very pretty as well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crafty Posted October 17, 2006 Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 Do it like Rickenbacker. Standard strings on the pegs, octave strings on the slot-head pegs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
postal Posted October 22, 2006 Report Share Posted October 22, 2006 The 2nd set of strings arranged ball end on the headstock with string ferules on the headstock, and the 2nd set of tuners on the body.... depending of course on the body design.... But there are several things to consider.... An extra set of tuners on a standard guitar headstock will make it dive like a MOFO! Balance is an important issue.... 2nd... depending on the style of body, and the bridge used, the 2nd set of tuners on the body alleviates the balance issue entirely.... and has little impact on headstock strength with the small string thru holes.... Search for 12 string "bich".... It's a good example. but 3rd.... you are doubling the string tension on the neck and headstock... it *COULD* cause a catastrophic failure..... and no.... trying to make the existing headstock longer to hold the extra tuners is not a good idea unless scarfed and laminated like mentioned above.... but you still have the balance issue to contend with.. Yes, a standard neck is tight for 12 string.... ideally a 12 string should be a bit wider to allow the pair of strings to vibrate, and still have separation from the next pair..... but I guess personal preference has a lot to do with that...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickc Posted October 22, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2006 I talked to the guy at the local muso store, and we came up with the idea of using a set of banjo tuners in between the existing tuners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducati Posted October 22, 2006 Report Share Posted October 22, 2006 Do it like Rickenbacker. Standard strings on the pegs, octave strings on the slot-head pegs. That sounds like the way ahead right there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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