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Slotted head ?
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=30973		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Timcacca [ Thu Feb 03, 2011 4:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Slotted head ?
I haven't seen too many slotted heads for necks joined at the 14 th fret. Is there a reason why, perhaps a structural concern. I am planning to build a J-200 size guitar for my daughter, and we are thinking on a slotted head.

Thanks,
Tim
Author:  Timcacca [ Thu Feb 03, 2011 8:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Slotted head ?
Thanks Todd,

Tim
Author:  Zach Ehley [ Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Slotted head ?
I think Martin did a 12 string Dread slotted HS for I believe one of the Peter, Paul or Mary.
Author:  bluescreek [ Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Slotted head ?
martin did a few 12 fret slot heads but they are uncommon . As Todd stated , it is only the tradition
Author:  oval soundhole [ Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Slotted head ?
I like them. Here is a 14 fret jumbo (16") Larson brothers guitar with a slotted head stock.Image
Author:  Steve Kinnaird [ Thu Feb 03, 2011 10:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Slotted head ?
I like them quite a lot, and the reduction in weight can be a useful offset on a 14 fret neck. Here's an OM in Ziricote and Sinker redwood:

Attachment:
AA3 Sm.jpg


Attachment:
AA6 Sm.jpg


As a plus, there are some really beautiful slot head tuners available these days. To wit:

Attachment:
A 055.jpg




Steve
Author:  Timcacca [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 1:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Slotted head ?
Thanks for the replies, I think we will go with the slotted head. We are planning all Koa, with Ebony fret board, bindings, bridge and head plate. Also a tree of life vine on the fret board and abalone purflings on the top and back.

Thanks again,
Tim
Author:  nickton [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 1:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Slotted head ?
Love that Larson Bros.
Author:  Colin S [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 4:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Slotted head ?
You should also not feel restricted to 12 or 14 fret to the body, there is no law which says that these are the only options.

Here's a 13 fret to the body slothead.

Colin

Image

Image
Author:  CharlieT [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Slotted head ?
Todd Stock wrote:
Or 13-1/2 or 12-1/2...


Todd - your comment highlights a question that has been on my mind lately...is there any reason aside from convention that a neck can't meet the body between two frets? That is the case on my first build (not intentionally) and I'm just wondering how badly I screwed up. :?: :mrgreen:
Author:  David LaPlante [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 11:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Slotted head ?
Going WAAAAAYY back, Martin offered the Vienna style head as well as the squared off "peg" head copied from Spanish guitars of the period. This "Peg" head (with friction pegs) was soon thickend and slotted to accept the 3-on plate tuners being made at the time in France by Jerome Thibouville Lamy ("Jeromes"). The "peg" head continued on with Ivory pegs (actually the cheapest option) for another seventy years or so.
When Martin made the transition to their 14 fret models in the 30s, the "peg" or paddle head was revived and you know the rest.
Author:  Darryl Young [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 1:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Slotted head ?
CharlieT wrote:
Todd Stock wrote:
Or 13-1/2 or 12-1/2...


Todd - your comment highlights a question that has been on my mind lately...is there any reason aside from convention that a neck can't meet the body between two frets? That is the case on my first build (not intentionally) and I'm just wondering how badly I screwed up. :?: :mrgreen:


That's an interesting thought. One thing I can think of is that having a fret on the body join line gives you a reference so you know ho to locate the bridge, bridge plate etc.
Author:  CharlieT [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 6:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Slotted head ?
Todd Stock wrote:
Don't think it matters unless it matters to you.


Good answer, Todd. [:Y:]

I'm pretty sure I'll never do it again as it seems there's probably no good reason to unless you don't know any better, which I didn't on my first. :roll:

Thanks!
Author:  Pat Foster [ Fri Feb 04, 2011 6:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Slotted head ?
I bought a Martin reject neck lot a few years ago. It had a perfectly good 14-fret slot-head dread neck in with standard necks. Only odd thing is the peghead veneer was glued on after the tuner slots were cut.

Pat
Author:  Alan [ Sat Feb 05, 2011 10:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Slotted head ?
CharlieT wrote:
Todd Stock wrote:
Or 13-1/2 or 12-1/2...


Todd - your comment highlights a question that has been on my mind lately...is there any reason aside from convention that a neck can't meet the body between two frets? That is the case on my first build (not intentionally) and I'm just wondering how badly I screwed up. :?: :mrgreen:



I think that it's primarily a matter of looks...just looks better to have the fret aligned with the body.
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