help with filling a small hole on headstock

Mr. Jinx · May 14th, 2008, 11:33 AM

I used the Google search even and am not sure I found the best solution to my problem, which really isn't a problem, but since I'll have the tuners off for some tinkering anyway ...

I replaced the roller string tree on my Tele with the old butterfly style. As many know, two holes are required for the roller guide, one for the screw and one for a little post that keeps it straight. The butterfly guide actually covers about half of the second hole and I'm wanting to fill with something close to the color of the maple.

I've read about using toothpicks stained with coffee. Really just looking for a simple solution. Since only half of the hole is visible and the guitar is far from showroom quality, not looking for perfection.

getbent · May 14th, 2008, 11:36 AM

I used a little wood putty that matched the color pretty closely and I've used a little piece of wood from the same neck (from another spot) and superglue and just superglue... I liked the results of the wood putty the best.

rhomco · May 14th, 2008, 12:09 PM

matching can get a little complex. You want to avoid "End Grain" such as the old toothpick idea because it soaks up and darkens the finish more than the wood surrounding the hole you are trying to hide. If I have bare wood, I like to scoop out a small piece of maple scrap with a 1/2 round chisel and super glue it in place into a similar scooped out hole over the hole I want to hide. After level sanding you cant find it unless you have strong grain patterns to deal with.
Good luck on this one,
Rob

jwells393 · May 14th, 2008, 03:23 PM

How about a wax stick. You can probably find them at just about any hardware store. They're used to fill nail holes in things like natural wood door trim and baseboards. They're available in a variety of wood colors. just rub it on the hole until it's filled then polish with a cloth.

......

Vizcaster · May 14th, 2008, 03:34 PM

I'd go with the wax stick since it's reversible. Your goal is to make it less noticeable, since you can't make it disappear without some refinishing.

mellecaster · May 14th, 2008, 09:58 PM

+3 on the Putty Stick...don't overthink a simple cosmetic repair.

braderrick · May 14th, 2008, 10:30 PM

Cool Jack, never seen that stuff. Time for a trip to the store, maybe time for me to fill some of those unsightly holes in some of my headstocks too.

Mr. Jinx · May 15th, 2008, 09:50 AM

Great ... thanks for the tip. Didn't know that stuff existed.

red57strat · May 15th, 2008, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwells393

How about a wax stick. You can probably find them at just about any hardware store. They're used to fill nail holes in things like natural wood door trim and baseboards. They're available in a variety of wood colors. just rub it on the hole until it's filled then polish with a cloth.

......

I used a similar pruduct that came with my kitchen cabinets. It worked great.

May 14th, 2008, 11:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mr. Jinx Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dixie Posts: 150	help with filling a small hole on headstock I used the Google search even and am not sure I found the best solution to my problem, which really isn't a problem, but since I'll have the tuners off for some tinkering anyway ... I replaced the roller string tree on my Tele with the old butterfly style. As many know, two holes are required for the roller guide, one for the screw and one for a little post that keeps it straight. The butterfly guide actually covers about half of the second hole and I'm wanting to fill with something close to the color of the maple. I've read about using toothpicks stained with coffee. Really just looking for a simple solution. Since only half of the hole is visible and the guitar is far from showroom quality, not looking for perfection.

May 14th, 2008, 11:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
getbent Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Benito County, California Age: 48 Posts: 9,126 37 Photos	I used a little wood putty that matched the color pretty closely and I've used a little piece of wood from the same neck (from another spot) and superglue and just superglue... I liked the results of the wood putty the best. __________________ Happiness makes up in height what it lacks in length.

May 14th, 2008, 12:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
rhomco Tele-Holic Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Crowley, Texas Posts: 694	Well if it is already finished matching can get a little complex. You want to avoid "End Grain" such as the old toothpick idea because it soaks up and darkens the finish more than the wood surrounding the hole you are trying to hide. If I have bare wood, I like to scoop out a small piece of maple scrap with a 1/2 round chisel and super glue it in place into a similar scooped out hole over the hole I want to hide. After level sanding you cant find it unless you have strong grain patterns to deal with. Good luck on this one, Rob __________________ If I won the Lotto.... I'd just build (OK, OK Assemble) guitars and sell them till the money ran out

May 14th, 2008, 03:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
jwells393 Doctor of Teleocity Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Albuquerque, USA Age: 64 Posts: 11,691 101 Photos	How about a wax stick. You can probably find them at just about any hardware store. They're used to fill nail holes in things like natural wood door trim and baseboards. They're available in a variety of wood colors. just rub it on the hole until it's filled then polish with a cloth. ...... __________________ Jack's Disclaimer: When I say something.... always ask yourself ..... "What the hell does he know?" _ Guys - learn to disable the flash on your digital cameras.

May 14th, 2008, 03:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Vizcaster Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Glen Head, NY Posts: 618	I'd go with the wax stick since it's reversible. Your goal is to make it less noticeable, since you can't make it disappear without some refinishing. __________________ "Why don't you just make 10 louder, and make 10 be the top number, and make that a little louder?"

May 14th, 2008, 09:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
mellecaster Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 4,266 17 Photos	+3 on the Putty Stick...don't overthink a simple cosmetic repair. __________________ Let's Not Forget the Other 75% of The Tone Equation...It's Called an AMP

May 14th, 2008, 10:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
braderrick Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kentucky Age: 25 Posts: 425	Cool Jack, never seen that stuff. Time for a trip to the store, maybe time for me to fill some of those unsightly holes in some of my headstocks too.

May 15th, 2008, 09:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
Mr. Jinx Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dixie Posts: 150	Great ... thanks for the tip. Didn't know that stuff existed.