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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?

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.

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

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.

Actually it traditionally depends on whether you have 12 or 14 frets to the body. Slotheads are used for 12 frets.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

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 ?

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.

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.

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

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

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

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

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.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

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.

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.

Speaking of 14 fret slothead

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Lance

That guitar tree you got there is something else, it produces some very nice fruit

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?

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.

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

[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.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Here is a nice one by Gary Zimnicki from Michigan

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com