Non angled 3+3 square headstock, anyone built one?

[Meatrus]

Forgive me if this has been brought up before, searching didn't bring up much.

So you know the way a Fender headstock is not angled back with a scarf joint or any other way? Of course you do . But what would happen if the headstock were to be a 3 tuners on each side deal 6 string bass, still with no angle? Would it need a bunch of string trees, or not work well, or what? If anyone's built one, or knows of a production guitar or bass like this I would love to see it. I'm planning my next build and wondering if I can get away with a headstock design like this.

So basically what would happen if I built a 3+3 headstock with no angle?

Thanks!

[Beej]

Nothing wrong with it, I've seen it done before on cheapo instruments. You can do it if you like, but an angled headstock IME is superior...

[mikeyswood]

Originally Posted by Meatrus

So you know the way a Fender headstock is not angled back with a scarf joint or any other way? Of course you do

Fenders are typically -1.5°ish. So, no; I don't know a headstock that is not angled.

[Meatrus]

Originally Posted by mikeyswood

Fenders are typically -1.5°ish. So, no; I don't know a headstock that is not angled.

Cough , hadnt noticed that, silly because I built one . Am I right in thinking it would need two string trees (one for the A and one for the D)?

[T-Bird]

Hi.

The problem with a "straight" headstock is that it probably won't stay straight, it'll bend upwards. That can be seen in almost all headstocks that aren't angled.

An endless discussion can be had about "one piece" versus scarf joint.

A definitive + side of an non-angled headstock is obviously a couple of centimeters less space needed in the case.

Regards
Sam

[tjclem]

I build all my basses that way but don't do a square headstock. Why would you want the strings leaving the nut then taking an angle to the side? I know the Gibson guitars have always done it but to me it just seems strange looking? Just my opinion though. Good luck with the project..tom

[Hookus]

You may or may not need string trees. Just depends if there is not enough tension to keep the strings well-seated. But, if you do, you can always look for one that spans more than just two strings, I think I have seen some that will work on 4 strings.

[Meatrus]

Thank you all very much for the help, it was really helpful.

Originally Posted by tjclem

I build all my basses that way but don't do a square headstock. Why would you want the strings leaving the nut then taking an angle to the side? I know the Gibson guitars have always done it but to me it just seems strange looking? Just my opinion though. Good luck with the project..tom

Big thanks to you Tom, it was great to see the basses you have made like this on your site, and I would be very happy if mine turned out close to that well! I wasnt being too literal about the square shape, just thought it was the closest shape to what I'm planning to do (similarish to 192 on your site).

Thanks again gents .

[Jools4001]

Wal do something very much like that on their MkII 4 strings, I can't see why it wouldn't work on a 6. Wal use a different shape for their 5's and 6's but still with no back angle (or a very minimal one)

[tjclem]

Thanks for the compliment. That is a hipshot 3 string string tree. The other option is to build up the back of the head stock thicker so you can shave the front of the headstock down further to create more of a break angle at the nut. The photo might explain it. This shot is very raw build stage.

[Meatrus]

I see, thanks again, I hadn't considered that either, looks great though .

[SDB Guitars]

Tom - is that wenge you have laminated to the back of that headstock? Looks good...

[M0ses]

The fact that you use a zero fret makes me want one of your basses.

[tjclem]

Originally Posted by SDB Guitars

Tom - is that wenge you have laminated to the back of that headstock? Looks good...

Yes Wenge left over from the thin neck laminate pieces LMI sells. I also used a little redwood bookmatch from the leftover top wood for the back of the headstock. It came out pretty cool just wanted to experiment.

[tjclem]

Originally Posted by M0ses

The fact that you use a zero fret makes me want one of your basses.

Well thanks it was people here talking about zero frets that got me to try it. tom