Changing pegheads

[willie]

Mica
I have a 4 string Europa that has a crown peghead. I think you tried to talk me into the Europa peghead when it was being built. But I didn't have an Alembic with the crown peghead yet. My Spoiler Exploiter had a cone peghead. Since getting my Essence turned into basically a Stanley Clarke bass with a crown peghead and seeing alot of Europa's with the Europa peghead I have really started to like the Europa peghead. I know you have replaced pegheads that were broken off but have you ever changed one just for looks. And how would it effect the bass if it were to be done, Would it be structurally as sound as when new and would you be able to see or feel any of the work that was done. I would only consider doing this if the bass came out like new. I'm just realizing the Europa body goes better with the Europa peghead. I should have listened to to you back in 95. And if this was possible to change pegheads from crown to Europa what would be the cost approximately?
Thanks
Willie

[briant]

I can talk a little bit about this but I can't give you any idea on price.  I know it is very extremely possible to change the peghead to another shape/style.
 
From what I recall of my conversation with Mica about 6 months ago they:
 
1. remove the top/ back veneers
2. plug the existing tuning peg holes
3. graft on a new hunk of wood
4. new top/back veneers
5. shape headstock and drill new tuning peg holes
6. refinish
 
When I was talking to her I was inquiring about converting my 4-string JPJ into an 8-string.  She gave me a broken down price list on the phone but I only remember the end price tag - which was surprisingly (to me) lower than I thought it would be.  Eventually it is going to get this operation done. :-)

[white_cloud]

This is entirely possible using exactly the process described by Briant!
 
The central mass of the peghead would remain and the outer ears would be removed...new ears would be susequently added and eventually shaped. In this way the hugely important, and fragile, scarf neck/peghead joint would not be compromised!
 
If you really feel strongly enough about this issue then I say go for it!

[georgie_boy]

What superb knowledge John!!
 
Got to be a Scotsman!!

[willie]

Thats good to hear it can be done without having to cut off the existing peghead. I don't think I could do it that way. Seems too risky to take a chance on ruining a great bass. My favorite. How would they remove the veneer's, heat? And how many of them. A Europa has double pinstripe laminates in the peghead. And how much would the overall length increase? I'm not worried that the inline 4 peghead may be longer than the crown, just would it still fit in its original case. Any commennts on this Mica?
Willie

[white_cloud]

Willie, cutting off the original peghead would be the last chance saloon to be honest...not recomended IMHO.
 
There are probably a small number of ways that the veneer could be removed - even planing in the extreme circumstance! It may lack subtlety as a method but it would sure work well enough for the end result. To me the most difficult part of the process would be adding length to the peghead core that would have the new ears glued to it. Again, I am sure that the craftsmen at Alembic would know much better than me about the best way to execute this!
 
I would call Mica direct to find out more advice/pricing about this procedure.
 
Its probably not going to be particularly cheap but then again if the bass is your pride and joy and you cant live with the current peghead it could be money well spent!

[briant]

If I had to throw a number out: ~$600.
 
Also remember that this isn't going to be a quick turn around.  They'll have to re-spray the new headstock and we all know that the finishing/curing process alone takes what? 4-5 weeks?  Sometimes a little more?