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Aug 1, 2026 - 12:46:54 AM
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pfalzgrass

Germany

263 posts since 9/13/2017

Sharing the current state of my first from scratch neck build.
Walnut and cocobole, tunneled fifth, truss rod from heel. I am pretty satisfied, lots of fun. I noticed, that the right side of the peghead bottom is uneven (I sanded by hand) and now I need to decide how to deal with it.
Options could be:
- leave as is and declare it art
- add ebony overlay on bottom and even it out
- build bottom with walnut and even it out

The peghead is pretty thin, I am using small guitar tuners here. As the truss rod is from the heel and ends at first fret, the connection peghead/neck is super solid.

Any suggestions how to fix the uneven peghead?






Aug 1, 2026 - 1:22:36 AM

martyjoe

Ireland

972 posts since 3/24/2020

If it were me. I’d forge ahead and be more careful next time.

Aug 1, 2026 - 7:37:19 AM
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290 posts since 2/20/2004
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You can use a heavy rasp, I use a farrier’s rasp (horseshoer).
File/rasp it down even. It needs to be uniform thickness. Sand it smooth to at least 220 grit.
Then you can glue a veneer onto the back to bring it back to the thickness you need.
You may need to bend the added wood over the volute (steam/hot water).
When I do this I use a contrasting wood. I’d probably use the same as the peg head overlay.
The idea is to make it look purposeful.
I’ve cut peg heads thin on purpose and accident. 100% of the time they come out fine.
Just know you can fix anything and enjoy the experience

Aug 1, 2026 - 7:44:51 AM
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290 posts since 2/20/2004
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Read your post again. I don’t think you’ll ever be able to bend Edony to form to the back of the peg head. Too stiff. But walnut will work
Look at my media. I will upload a picture of a neck I built 20 years ago. The exact issue you have.

Aug 1, 2026 - 8:42:41 AM

pfalzgrass

Germany

263 posts since 9/13/2017

quote:
Originally posted by Gallaher

Read your post again. I don’t think you’ll ever be able to bend Edony to form to the back of the peg head. Too stiff. But walnut will work
Look at my media. I will upload a picture of a neck I built 20 years ago. The exact issue you have.


Thanks George! I will go that route. 

Aug 1, 2026 - 11:11:41 AM

6973 posts since 5/29/2011

How thick is the peghead at the thinnest part counting the thickness of the overlay? If it's anywhere close to 1/2" thick, you could probably just call it folk art and play it as is. That ebony overlay on top is pretty thick. That will stabilize it quite a bit.

Aug 1, 2026 - 11:36:05 AM
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1245 posts since 4/27/2020

Leave as is and declare it art.

Years from now you'll be revered as the inventor of the highly coveted Graeber assymetric peghead. PhD theses will be written about the sonic characteristics, the proper thicknesses and tapering, whether it should be linear or not, and why didn't anyone think of this sooner?

Aug 2, 2026 - 12:09:35 AM
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pfalzgrass

Germany

263 posts since 9/13/2017

quote:
Originally posted by reubenstump

Leave as is and declare it art.

Years from now you'll be revered as the inventor of the highly coveted Graeber assymetric peghead. PhD theses will be written about the sonic characteristics, the proper thicknesses and tapering, whether it should be linear or not, and why didn't anyone think of this sooner?


I am looking forward to this! Genius advice. 

Aug 2, 2026 - 5:11:34 AM

45506 posts since 3/5/2008

I applaud your work..! :0)

Aug 5, 2026 - 9:13:36 AM

Helix

USA

17740 posts since 8/30/2006

The peghead does NOT need to be the same thickness.
Older luthiers knew to taper the peghead to adjust for different tuner shaft lengths


 

Edited by - Helix on 08/05/2026 09:14:54

Aug 6, 2026 - 3:40:23 AM
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4878 posts since 9/7/2009

The weakest point is at the curve. I would make the thick part the same thickness. Then glue three pieces of 1/16" thick of alternating pieces of mahogany and 1/32" maple veneer (maple in the center) to the back. Not only will it strengthen the area but will add aesthetics. You can add the same sandwiched veneers as a heel cap. It will look like it was the plan all along. Attached is a photo of a cigar box banjo with just one piece of walnut veneer added to the back.

 

Aug 8, 2026 - 8:26:10 AM
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pfalzgrass

Germany

263 posts since 9/13/2017

Thanks for all the great advice. In the meantime I did the inlay on the peghead.


 

Aug 8, 2026 - 8:29:11 PM

Helix

USA

17740 posts since 8/30/2006

Nice

Aug 16, 2026 - 2:19:35 AM
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pfalzgrass

Germany

263 posts since 9/13/2017

BNJOMAKR Marvin, thank you so much for your advice! I did layers of purpleheart and walnut veneer, and it already turns out great before final sanding.




Aug 16, 2026 - 3:41:09 AM
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conic

England

1042 posts since 2/15/2014

Martin, nice veneer and pirate against the black.
In the past I added a bit of "steampunk", cover with a thin copper plate and add some copper rivets glued into the headstock like dowels. Also use a ball peen hammer to gently texture the copper to give a unique effect

Aug 16, 2026 - 4:15:14 AM

324 posts since 12/2/2025

Are you referring to the curvature on right and left sides of the peghead being slightly different? I like that asymmetry. It reflects and complements your asymmetric tuning peg layout.

Sometimes our ‘errors’ turn out better than what we had intended. You could make this asymmetry a feature of your peghead designs.

Edited by - EEB on 08/16/2026 04:16:06

Aug 17, 2026 - 7:28:48 AM

pfalzgrass

Germany

263 posts since 9/13/2017

quote:
Originally posted by conic

Martin, nice veneer and pirate against the black.
In the past I added a bit of "steampunk", cover with a thin copper plate and add some copper rivets glued into the headstock like dowels. Also use a ball peen hammer to gently texture the copper to give a unique effect


Do you have a picture of this? Sounds cool!

Aug 17, 2026 - 7:40:25 AM

conic

England

1042 posts since 2/15/2014

quote:
Originally posted by pfalzgrass
quote:
Originally posted by conic

Martin, nice veneer and pirate against the black.
In the past I added a bit of "steampunk", cover with a thin copper plate and add some copper rivets glued into the headstock like dowels. Also use a ball peen hammer to gently texture the copper to give a unique effect


Do you have a picture of this? Sounds cool!


Unfortunately no, i gave it away, I used the thin copper plate  and glued it on the headstock then used some thin dome head rivets pushed through the plate into holes like a dowel

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