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I'm building my first slothead, a 000 12 fret (have built 10 so far). The stew mac plan shows a 14 degree angle of the headstock, but I have seen a post that indicates that 12 degrees is the angle... Should I go with 14 degrees? ...any comments or suggestions?
Thanks,
Steve

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

The 1st quality replacement slotted necks I get from Martin are exactly 15 degrees.

I doubt a degree one way or another really matters. As long as the head-stock slants back enough so there is a good contact as the strings cross over the nut.

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

I believe the slot head I built was around 10 or 12 degrees. I think the idea is that you can go a bit flatter with a slot head because the path the strings take to the tuner shaft is steeper. If you draw it out on paper, you can see the break angle over the nut. I'm sure those more experienced will weigh in.

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sweat the small stuff.

I use 11-12 degrees for steels & classicals
15 for solid head steel
17-18 for peghead Flamencos.

Mike

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Mike Collins

I use 15 degrees for slothead steels but only because I am jigged up for that angle for everything else. It works but seems a little excessive. Pretty high break angle over the nut. I actually like 11-12 degrees better as mentioned.

Mike, do you think the nut break angle has anything to do with the way the strings feel. Higher angle=maybe a little greater feel of stiffness?

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Yes!
For sure on steels.
Gauge of strings/scale length also come into the equation.

mike

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Mike Collins

Thanks Mike. I had that feeling. I need to get off my lazy butt and jig up for the smaller angle.

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

I don't see how the strings would be any stiffer based on the angle. Once set up to pitche they are going to be X kg's of pull regardless right? Unless the thinking is that the larger angle will sort of ramp off the edge of the nut as it breaks over it? But still if the nut is set up proper then it shouldn't matter. Just thinking out loud here.

I use 14 for solid peghead steel-string, and 10 for slotted peghead SS.

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

While there is plenty of math and science to explain why heavier gauge strings and longer scale lengths actually require more fretting pressure. I am at a loss regarding why or how the head-stock angle would make any difference at all.

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Ken Cierp

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/

Martin uses 15 degrees on everything, but the slotted headstock naturally produces more string break angle across the nut. That means that something even less than 13 or 14 degrees should be fine. Certainly, I have seen plenty of classical guitars with a shallow peghead angle.

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John