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Joined:
March 2007
Posts: 843
Location: CA | Slothead adulation seems a frequent theme here. Just wondering if this is an emotional aesthetic (they do look nice, esp the 12-strings) or if there is some functional advantage. As far as making strings stay tight, it seems an either-or thing to me.
It would also seem a slothead would is more difficult and therefore more expensive to produce, correct? And as long as we're on the subject, how come all nylon guitars are slotheads, but only some steel-stringed ones?
I eagerly await enlightenment. |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Slotheads are a bit more expensive to make, yes
Most people like them here because of the original 34 Adamas that were made in that design.
They give a bit more downforce at the nut and a little better tone.
Nylons are almost always slotheads, tradition I guess.
They are a pain in the ass to change strings on. |
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Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Originally posted by Mauvais Beal (cwk2):
They are a pain in the ass to change strings on. True.... |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | There has been some discussion that the steeper string angle and general design provides better transference of vibration and/or makes for a more "solid" feel of the strings.
It would be interesting to take a guitar, find the resonant frequency, and then check it on the laser vibrometer, then swap necks to a slothead neck and do it again just to see if there is a difference. |
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Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | IMHO, I think you would have to have very unique hearing capabilities to tell the difference. I just think they look a lot nicer. But, as Bill said, they are a real time to restring. Just ask anyone who has a Pacemaker. Thats why I always used elixirs on mine. You don't have to go through it as often. BTW, whats this doing in the "For Sale" area? |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Beal wrote: They are a pain in the ass to change strings on.
I used to change the strings on my 77 Pacemaker in 10 minutes and havve it tuned in three more; many times between sets...of course I played that guitar six or seven nights a week for 11 years before I switched to Elites...What a great guitar! I just think slotheads are way cool!
:rolleyes: |
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Joined:
January 2005
Posts: 4903
Location: Phoenix AZ | I don't know what the big deal is about changing strings on slotheads. I can't see how it takes any more time than a paddlehead. Maybe it's just because I have a lot of practice. The only part that seems more time consuming is getting the old strings off and be careful not to scratch the inside of the slots. Dave |
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Joined:
June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | The only part that seems more time consuming is getting the old strings off and be careful not to scratch the inside of the slots. Dave
and there you have it.....
Actually, the easiest way I've found is to hang it in a herc stand and use a string winder. It's a labor of love I guess. ;) |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 2241
Location: Simpsonville, SC | Have not personally changed my CL 12 Slothead strings yet (replaced when setup by a local luthier) and I have the UTE arriving tommorow. Any suggestions to a rookie slothead'r? |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | The Look Nicer! :cool: That's all.
Yes, I believe that they are harder to Maintain.
But we are just going for aesthetics here.
And, since I only have one slothead, and I want it to look purdy, it takes me longer to change the strings. Y'know, I want the strings all neat.
[Plus there are TWELVE of them!] |
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Joined:
March 2006
Posts: 1634
Location: Chehalis, Washington | Yeah, I need to change the strings on my CL12, and it's not even a slot...I find myself putting it off for some dumb reason. The dang thing's even got a tuner in it, and yet I feel lazy about keeping up on it.
The only slot I've had is the 97 Collectors, and man does it sing. Aesthetics or not, "supposed" sustain and tone value or not, all I know is that this package works! |
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Joined:
June 2007
Posts: 100
Location: Delaware | Another consideration is that the larger peg diameter for slothead tuners is less likely to break lower guage steel strings - has anyone ever changed strings on sealed tuner pegs and snapped the treble E when working around the post? Irritating isn't it!
Personally, I find the downward or vertical angle of slothead tuner buttons easier to access than the horozontal Grover type tuners, when tuning. When holding the guitar and reaching under the neck to tweak tune, slothead buttons are right there, hanging below the neck. Grover type tuner buttons for treble strings are on the far side of neck, pointed away from the player - forcing you to make an extra arch in your tuning arm to reach them.
Nylon strings stretch more than steel strings and depending on the way you put them on the tuner posts, more winding and string collection may result. The larger barrel of slothead tuners holds more string wraps easier than a smaller steel pin. Can you imagine sealed tuners with gobs of nylon string wound around them?
If I was building guitars, I'd build both classical and steel string with slothead tuners. |
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What's the big deal about slotheads?