SawDust_Junkie Posted November 26, 2004 Report Share Posted November 26, 2004 I am considering a Les Paul copy for my next project (set neck and all). But I have looked at several tutorials both here and at other sites on the web. It seems to me that everyone who builds a Les Paul, glues "wings" on the peghead to get the full dimensions of the peghead. What I am confused about is why this is done. Is it mainly to cut down of the size of wood you have to purchase and reduce the cost. Lets face it, to buy a piece of Mahogany wide enough to accomodate the full peghead width would be more board feet of wood, and you would waste a bit when you cut the neck down, but I am concerned that gluing "wings" on the peg head would not have good strength for the tuners when under string tension. Apparently it is not a problem as most people do this, but is it worth saving money on the wood or would I be better off using a piece of wood that is wide enough to cut the entire peghead from and go ahead and waste the extra wood ? Anyway, it was just something I was pondering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawDust_Junkie Posted November 26, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 26, 2004 Oh and another question. Has anyone ever used Jotoba ? I think is what it is called. Brazillian Cherry I think, instead of Mahogany for the back on a Les Paul. One of the local wood working shops I frquent carries it in 8/4 stock, but they only have stocked Mahogany in 4/4 so far. The Jotoba is very similar to Mahogany, maybe a bit harder and heavier than Mahogany, but I planned on doing a chambered body anyway to reduce the weight, so that shouldn't be a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnsilver Posted November 26, 2004 Report Share Posted November 26, 2004 Gluing ears on a peghead is a way to allow for design flexibility without wasting a lot of wood. Typically, the ears are cut from the same piece of wood as the neck for good color and grain matching. Once glued properly, the glue joint is stronger than the surrounding wood so it shouldn't be a problem. You can always add a headplate for design and added stability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted November 27, 2004 Report Share Posted November 27, 2004 i am not familiar with the name jotoba....but cherry is very bright and is not like mahogany at all....more similar to maple. you lose no strength by glueing on ears to make the headstock width Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setch Posted November 27, 2004 Report Share Posted November 27, 2004 Adding 'ears' actually strengthens a one-piece neck, because the grain in the 'ears' runs parallel to the headstock, unlike the short grain in the rest of the head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Headen Posted November 27, 2004 Report Share Posted November 27, 2004 I've never used Jatoba in a musical instrument, but I do know it's a very dense wood, very unlike mahogany. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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