What’s up with the new small 60’s head stocks???
Moderators: rickenbrother, ajish4
"Gumby" head- there you go again.
Greater mass in the headstock- notwithstanding the claims from a certain add-on device maker- does NOT improve the tone or strength. The larger mass at the end of essentially a lever robs energy from the strings that otherwise would be released into the bridge.
The strength of the head itself might be ever so slightly greater but not in any useful way; the extra weight, on the other hand, provides additional stress at the throat of the neck.
The only reason the head was made larger was to give the larger Schaller M6 key buttons some extra space to turn. It never had anything to do with tone or strength.
It's only the general acceptance of smaller buttons and tighter spacing that let us reduce the size again.
Greater mass in the headstock- notwithstanding the claims from a certain add-on device maker- does NOT improve the tone or strength. The larger mass at the end of essentially a lever robs energy from the strings that otherwise would be released into the bridge.
The strength of the head itself might be ever so slightly greater but not in any useful way; the extra weight, on the other hand, provides additional stress at the throat of the neck.
The only reason the head was made larger was to give the larger Schaller M6 key buttons some extra space to turn. It never had anything to do with tone or strength.
It's only the general acceptance of smaller buttons and tighter spacing that let us reduce the size again.
And there there is the pool of players, like me, who don't even pay attention to the differences in headstocks, or tuners for that matter, over the years!
Back in the day, I didn't even pay attention to the amps or instruments. I was into the groove, man!
John - I was wondering about something you said somewhere else. You were talking about robbing designs for entry level guitars. I am curious how far to take that. There are only so many pleasing ways to cut out a hunk of wood for a guitar, and the other parts have to be somewhat similar to work as a guitar. So, where is the line to be drawn between ripping off a design and making it different? Those that have tried radical new designs mostly look like attempts to make sure it looks "completely different". This usually makes it ugly, or unplayable. In the case of RIC, the design is different enough, that there is no way anyone could say you guys copied. But for most of the rest of the guitar makers, you have single or double cutaway, how pointy vs, round on corners and edges, hardware, and shape of headstock.
PS - this may have looked like a dumb question, but it has been puzzling me.
Back in the day, I didn't even pay attention to the amps or instruments. I was into the groove, man!
John - I was wondering about something you said somewhere else. You were talking about robbing designs for entry level guitars. I am curious how far to take that. There are only so many pleasing ways to cut out a hunk of wood for a guitar, and the other parts have to be somewhat similar to work as a guitar. So, where is the line to be drawn between ripping off a design and making it different? Those that have tried radical new designs mostly look like attempts to make sure it looks "completely different". This usually makes it ugly, or unplayable. In the case of RIC, the design is different enough, that there is no way anyone could say you guys copied. But for most of the rest of the guitar makers, you have single or double cutaway, how pointy vs, round on corners and edges, hardware, and shape of headstock.
PS - this may have looked like a dumb question, but it has been puzzling me.
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I particularly love the cigar-smoking Eddie Murphy Gumby, "don't wan no banana up my tailpipe, unnerstan". He would look hilarious in a publicity shot with a Rick strapped around his neck: "Don't wan no Fendson up my tailpipe, hear?"
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, and sit in with the band whenever you can, to keep your chops up!
