#headplate

Kumo 99 | Gomi

i've been obsessed with these guys lately. it's like i've rediscovered them.

From a musical standpoint, the guitar represents not only an instrument but also the skill of the craftsman, the design of the instrument, and its owner's personality. The guitar headplate is one of the most visually prominent features of a guitar. The decorative piece of wood that is bonded to the front (or face) of the headstock is called the headplate. Only when you have selected the best possible headplate can you expect that the beauty and/or resale value of your guitar will be increased. For custom-built guitars, or if you're upgrading an existing guitar, your choice of headplate will have a major effect on the overall look and value of the instrument.

At Exotic Wood Zone, woodworkers, and luthiers can usually locate premium exotic woods kinda tailored for headplates, veneers, and those custom guitar jobs. Some of the more popular picks are Ziricote, Black Limba, Bloodwood, Padauk, Purpleheart, and Bubinga. They're well loved because of their distinctive grain patterns, and that strong visual appeal too.

What Is a Guitar Headplate?

Instrument builders use an instrument headplate to apply a thin sheet of wood, usually veneer, to the top side of a headstock. The headplate provides strength to the headstock and protects it from damage, but is primarily for aesthetics. The headplate is typically used as a location for inlays, logos and decorative accents that create a polished and professional appearance.

The guitar head is one of the first things that people notice on any musical instrument, and therefore, a good quality headplate will help define the visual character of a guitar and complement the wood used in constructing the body, neck and fretboard of the instrument.

Why Choose a Guitar Headplate Veneer?

A guitar headplate veneer lets builders show off gorgeous wood types without making the instrument heavier. Veneers are thin but tough, great for custom designs and fancy inlay work.

Benefits of using a guitar headplate veneer include:

Enhanced visual appeal

Lightweight construction

Easy customization with logos and inlays

Cost-effective use of premium wood species

Improved consistency in finishing

Many makers use veneers because they get the beauty of exotic woods while keeping the guitar easy to assemble and super stable.

Popular Guitar Headplate Wood Options

Choosing the right guitar headplate wood is essential for achieving the desired appearance. Exotic Wood Zone offers numerous species that are highly regarded among guitar builders.

Ziricote 

known for its stunning grain lines and color contrasts, giving custom guitars a luxurious feel.

Black Limba

Black Limba has bold streaks and natural character, making it perfect for modern and boutique guitar designs.

Bloodwood

offers a striking look with its vibrant red hue, which really stands out on acoustic and electric guitars.

Bubinga, Padauk, and Purpleheart

Bubinga, Padauk, and Purpleheart provide unique colors and patterns too, helping builders make headstocks that really stand out.

The Role of Exotic Woods in Guitar Building

Exotic woods for headplates help luthiers boost the beauty of their instruments. They look great, but that's not all these woods also offer durability and awesome finishing traits, making them perfect for pro guitars. Exotic species have unique grain patterns you can't get from ordinary woods.

Custom builders often use headplates, fretboards, and body accents with the same colors to create a consistent design theme throughout the body of the guitar. This type of detail turns an ordinary guitar into something special and unique that is tailored specifically to the builder's vision.

Choosing the Right Headplate for Your Project

When selecting a guitar headplate, consider the following:

Match the wood with the body and fretboard.

Evaluate grain orientation and figure.

Consider finishing compatibility.

Choose a species that reflects the guitar’s overall style.

Ensure the material is properly dried and stable.

Premium kiln-dried headplate woods provide better stability and long-term performance for custom guitar projects.

Conclusion 

We are not sure Anon, you should sent a picture of such details to us so wecan tell you for sure. Use the “Tumbrl chat” to sent pictures of such numbers.Many recasts are very good and have numbers and names engraved inside the head,almost indistinguishable from the legits (unless you order them on a strangeskin color that FL doesn’t offer), but it’s true that some older models thatare 3rd (or 4th) hand might be legit. In such case you should try totrace the doll to its original first owner and discover if this person broughtit on the legit website or trough a reliable dealer and might be an old legit.But for $90 it’s more likely a very well made recast.