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Conference napalm::guitar

Title:GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion
Notice:Discussion of the finer stringed instruments
Moderator:KDX200::COOPER
Created:Thu Aug 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3280
Total number of notes:61432

486.0. "Fathead" by ANGORA::JACQUES () Thu Jan 28 1988 12:47

    Has anyone seen the "Fathead" advertised in Guitar Player last 
    month ? This is a thin brass plate that attaches to the back
    of your headstock. They claim it increases the mass of your
    headstock by 3 times. They also claim it increases sustain
    and eliminates "dead spots". If nothing else, it looks kinda
    neat. I wouldn't go putting one on a vintage stock guitar,
    but if a guitar is already customised with after market
    tuners, why not ? The ad contained photos of Strats, Teles,
    Gibson, Jazz bass, and Precision Bass headstocks with "fatheads".
    I beleive they sell for $25.oo (guitar), slightly more for Bass.
                                  
    If someone has replaced the stock tuners on their guitar with
    Precision tuners, chances are they have some ugly scars, or
    the original screw holes showing. The Fathead plate sits on the
    bottom of the headstock and covers over any unsightly holes or
    marks. I just put a set of Sperzels on my Telecaster and am thinking
    of getting one for it. My only concern is whether the plate is
    so thick, that is causes problems with catching the threads
    on the top and bottom half of the tuner.
    
    Mark Jacques
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486.1Is anyone out there ??ANGORA::JACQUESFri Feb 05 1988 09:547
    Judging from the lack of response to this note, I assume either
    no one saw the ad for Fatheads last month, or no one is interested
    in the slightest. Come on guys, don't you all want to be the first
    one on your block to have a fathead ?
    
    Mark J.
    
486.2Not meWLDWST::JENSENFri Feb 05 1988 11:109
    Yes, I've seen the add for the Fatheads in one of the mags I get.
    Seems like a good idea but I wouldn't do this to any of my guitars
    just like I would not install a Hipshot. I might use one of these
    if I get an old guitar and set it up myself (something I have been
    thinking about for a long time) or maybe build my own. It just does't
    make $$$cents$$$ to put one of these on a Les Paul and alter the
    guitar form it's original state.
    
    Mark
486.3Clamp itSRFSUP::MORRISDecapitate Tipper GoreFri Feb 05 1988 16:156
    I've seen the ad too.
    
    I think you could probably get the same result with a C-clamp right
    over the Gibson logo.
    
    Of course, your neck could go to Pete Townshend heaven.
486.4Add the MassBARTLS::MOLLERThu Feb 11 1988 15:0712
    It's a good Idea & easy for you to do yourself. Go to a hardware
    store that sells brass plate & spent $5.00 on a 1/16 inch piece
    that will fit the back of the neck. Cut it and shape it as you like
    & drill holes for the tuning keys & screws. The tuning key holes
    will hold the plate on. A cheap violin can be made to sound better
    by adding mass at the end of the Neck. This recent discovery (I
    saw something on PBS about this years ago & Read about it in the
    Luthiers Guild magazine) is actually benificial. Another fellow that
    I jamed with last fall had done what I described & he thought it
    made a big difference. Cost him a few hours & about $5.00.
    
    							Jens