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Slotted vs Not Slotted...When?
http://www-.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=3273		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  FrankC [ Tue Sep 20, 2005 9:47 am ]
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Ok, here is another stupid question from FrankC...When do I use a slotted headstock vs not slotted? I assume when I use a 25.4 scale, its non slotted, 24.9 scale is slotted?
Author:  Jim Watts [ Tue Sep 20, 2005 9:50 am ]
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It's purely a subjective thing, unless your trying to repoduce a specific instrument. For example OM's can be had slotted or unslotted. It's not dependant on the scale length.
Author:  RussellR [ Tue Sep 20, 2005 9:52 am ]
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Not neccasarily Frank, the fashion tends to be on the smaller bodied instruments to use slotted headstock, but you could use on a 25.4 " scale with no problem.

Personally I only do them on request as for me (Duck while the Bomb goes off)they are inferior. They are simply not as strong. That said they are strong enough.
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Tue Sep 20, 2005 10:35 am ]
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Actually it traditionally depends on whether you have 12 or 14 frets to the body. Slotheads are used for 12 frets.
Author:  RussellR [ Tue Sep 20, 2005 10:39 am ]
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Thanks JJ I never knew that, but thinking about it your right most peoples ranges have them on the 12 fret, any idea why ? or was it just one of those things that just stuck ?
Author:  crazymanmichael [ Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:54 pm ]
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depending on the maker slotheads have been used on long and short scale, 12 fret and 14 fret, large body and small body.

there are not rules to follow.

but one of the reasons some say they use slot heads is to lighten the headstock to better balance the instrument.

for others it is aestehtics.

what ever works for you.
Author:  RussellR [ Tue Sep 20, 2005 7:03 pm ]
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Thanks CMM

I have always had a bit ofa downer on slotted headstock, but with correct tuner selection, I can see how you could lose some weight up there, I hadn't really thought of that aspect.

Author:  Colin S [ Tue Sep 20, 2005 7:31 pm ]
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I have to say that I like slot heads. Mainly from the point of view of aesthetics, but also from two other points. Firstly as has been said, they are good for reducing weight, not a major consideration for me as I've never been fanatical about it. Secondly the increased string angle over the nut compared to a solid head using the same scarf angle. I'm not sure if it helps increase sustain at all but it can't hurt it. Oh, there's a third, some time ago I picked up ten sets of three on a plate Waverlys cheap so I've got to build some slot heads to use them.

That said, If I build a 12 fret neck, it gets a slot head, 14 fret gets a solid. So ignore everything else that I said!

Colin
Author:  Arnt Rian [ Tue Sep 20, 2005 8:44 pm ]
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As long as you don't put a slot head on a 12 string guitar! Changing strings on a slot head can be somewhat cumbersome and it gets worse when the tuners are spaced closer. Arnt38616.2403703704
Author:  Don Williams [ Tue Sep 20, 2005 10:13 pm ]
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I think they are aesthetically appealing on small-bodied instruments, particularly 12-fret guitars. They seem to add a visual sense of balance to me, where a solid head on a smaller guitar might look too bulky. I also like seeing a torch inlay on a slothead...real sharp.
Author:  Mike Mahar [ Tue Sep 20, 2005 10:15 pm ]
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What everybody else said applies to steel string guitars only. I've never seen a solid head on a classical guitar. Flamenco guitars are solid but use friction pegs.

I have seen 14 fret slot heads but they are very rare. In fact, the only one I've ever seen was a Froggy Bottom that the owner explicitly commisioned.

The only rule is that there are no rules. Any combination is possible and a great guitar can be made. You will have trouble finding solid head tuners for nylon strings, however.
Author:  John Kinnaird [ Tue Sep 20, 2005 10:20 pm ]
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Arnt I actually have a 12 string Ovation with slot heads. it is trouble to restring, but IMHO it is easier to tune. All the knobs fall to hand and turn the same direction to tighten.

I have never put a slothead on a 14 fret neck. I had used solid pegheads on 12 fret necks but prefer to use slotted there.
Author:  LanceK [ Tue Sep 20, 2005 11:07 pm ]
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Speaking of 14 fret slothead





Author:  RussellR [ Tue Sep 20, 2005 11:33 pm ]
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Lance

That guitar tree you got there is something else, it produces some very nice fruit
Author:  John Kinnaird [ Wed Sep 21, 2005 3:09 am ]
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Whooeee
and a fine looking slot head it is too. The exception that proves the rule.

Is that your own, or a recently finished instrument?
Author:  John How [ Wed Sep 21, 2005 3:14 am ]
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Kinda a pain to change strings often but they sure look cool. On my next build I'm thinking of doing one where the slots converge towards the top end of the headstock. Nothing new except for me.
Author:  LanceK [ Wed Sep 21, 2005 3:15 am ]
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[QUOTE=John Kinnaird] Whooeee
and a fine looking slot head it is too. The exception that proves the rule.

Is that your own, or a recently finished instrument?[/QUOTE]

Thanks John - That is a guitar that now lives in Santa Barbara CA. A commission.
Author:  LanceK [ Wed Sep 21, 2005 3:21 am ]
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Here is a nice one by Gary Zimnicki from Michigan

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