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April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Hi,
just wondering what difference a slot head makes to the overall tone/sustain etc of a guitar.
I don't mean for example the 1680 has a slot head and it sounds great but why they put a slot head on a 1680 or any other guitar in the first place?
It is just a design decision? |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Cuz it Looks Cool!  |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | I might be wrong (please correct I'm off on this)
It seems to its shows off the skill of the builder.
Much harder to do. More labor.
Very few builder make slot head steel string. |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | Slot heads are definitely my preference. It also (uually) increases the break angle of the nut end for what it's worth, if anything. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | They make 'em just for Iffy. The rest of ya'll just happen to enjoy the results...  |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | for style
the old rule was 12 frets-slot, 14-flat. but nobody follows that anymore. |
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November 2007
Posts: 1486
Location: Cincinnati | Originally posted by Trader Jim:
Slot heads are definitely my preference. It also (uually) increases the break angle of the nut end for what it's worth, if anything. Preference? I thought it was an addiction. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | well, that too...... |
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Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | guilty. |
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Posts: 1132
Location: Parrish, FL | Well, since we're confessing our sins... |
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December 2001
Posts: 10582
Location: NJ | increase the break angle and increase the vibration of the top |
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April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Thanks!
But I'm still confused, why do you need a greater break angle with a slot head? And why would that help vibration? Am I being stupid? (PLEASE DON'T RESPOND TO THAT LAST QUESTION ;) ) |
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March 2002
Posts: 15664
Location: SoCal | The body of a guitar is not the only thing that vibrates. The neck vibrates as well. There are only two places where strings transfer sound to the guitar, the nut and the saddle. Anything that increases that transfer of vibration is a good thing. That's why people put bone saddles and nuts on their guitars.
As to stupid....... |
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April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Ah so the slot head has less mass so doesn't 'eat' up the energy of the vibration? |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | That's up for dispute I guess. They sell these "fat finger" thingies that ADD mass to the headstock to supposedly increase sustain, but every guitar with the best sustain characteristics that I've played is a slothead. But...what do I know. :rolleyes: |
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March 2005
Posts: 2791
Location: Atlanta, GA. | If all of this is true, then using a capo would defeat a bone nut and head mass??? |
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Originally posted by cholloway:
If all of this is true, then using a capo would defeat a bone nut and head mass??? NOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Say it aint so. :eek: |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | I knew that would bring him out of the woodwork...
but in a word....yes, as far as the nut. |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Beal was there a reason for 12 fret slot and not on 14 fret? Was there a reason for that from mamufacting/engineering point of view?? |
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | Originally posted by Trader Jim:
I knew that would bring him out of the woodwork...
but in a word....yes, as far as the nut. The nut on the guitar or the Nut playing it? :D
I'm guilty on both counts. |
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October 2007
Posts: 283
Location: Portland, OR | Interesting subject. I still think, after some down time playing today, that my GC, slothead 1118, 12th fret, is the cleanest, prettiest sound I have. |
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Slot head vs Non slot head