2x2 headstock vs straight 4

[non]

Some of the points OP brought up is why I like musicman style head stocks the best. A bit smaller than a P bass head stock, a little bigger than a 2x2 rectangle look. Modern Jazz headstocks are a little slimmer than P's I noticed. They don't look as goofy. Spector 2x2's though are my favorite looking.

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yes i forgot about mm 3+1 headstock. they are a nice compromise.

 

[Fender_Bender]

I feel the exact opposite. Two plus two stocks, particularly with smaller tuners, look cartoonishly small and guitar like and cheap to me. I guess it’s what you get used to.

 

[gln1955]

Honey, does this headstock make me look fat?

 

[jnsnj]

The headstock on my '81 Ibanez is 2+2 and it's HUMONGOUS

I really like the aesthetics of those. Even if it is a worst of both worlds, although neither actually being bad.

 

[Standalone]

I really like the aesthetics of those. Even if it is a worst of both worlds, although neither actually being bad.

The 1979-81/2 Roadster and Musician basses are beautiful, and are superb players!

 

[mellowinman]

I almost never do this, but I have to say it. I can't even begin to fathom why anyone would care about a headstock shape/design unless they were a luthier.

 

[Bigbri]

I have both. While playing I never feel the difference.
I suspect 4 in a row contributes to the 5th fret G string dead note.
Looking at them played by somebody else, Fender headstocks look like a profile of Bullwinkle the Moose.
Don't like the 0 angle headstock on anything.
Elephant ear tuners feel good while tuning, but they are honking big.
I like all Peavey headstocks for bass, 4 in line is ok, prefer 2+2, necks are good too.
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I was very dissapointed to find my stingray still has it. I've never played a fender style that didn't. My strings and classics that still go through the body are still almost the same length. Lose a few inches on the headstock, but add it behind and through the body. The only bass I've owned that didn't have this problem was my American NS2.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Not for me.

Me too, they are like a stinking toy.

 

[Phud]

 

[TrevorR]

It just so happens that five out of my 6 basses are 2+2. However, my choice in bass is more determined by what's happening at the other end of the neck and the shape of the neck than the tuner arrangement!

 

[Standalone]

 

[twinjet]

Personally, I owned a 3x3 six-string for eight years. I couldn't imagine a better way to lay it out. However, for a four-string, I stand by my in-line design.

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Most of mine are inline, but I'm having no trouble getting use to this one.

I recognize that sticker! Great shop!

 

[Slidlow]

So this straight pull idiom. On all instruments the strings break over the nut at an angle. If you don't limit yourself to two dimensional thinking and move into three dimensional, if the string breaks over the nut and also goes slightly sideways there shouldn't be a problem. On a 2+2 there would be equal sideways pressure on the nut anyway. As most nuts are glued in place anyway it doesn't really matter regardless of string count. So far in my experience over the three plus decades ensuring strings follow straight up from the neck does not affect performance and further limits or restricts headstock design. On a 4 in line having all break sideways in the same direction could cause issues with the nut staying in place unless solidly glued so here straight pull makes some sense.

 

[Korladis]

I like Fender styles okay, but I prefer 2 + 2, angled. It calls to mind the tradition of lutherie, while Fender calls to mind assembly. Same for clear finishes on different species of wood, as opposed to auto paint. Dark fingerboard wood, set-neck or thru-neck.

What really look weird to me are those 4 inline angled headstocks. If you're gonna do 4 inline, don't angle the headstock! It makes the bass look like it's used for metal.

What's wrong with a bass being used for metal? Lots of great basses are. Fenders, Rickenbackers, G&Ls, Sadowskys, Laklands, etc.

The 1979-81/2 Roadster and Musician basses are beautiful, and are superb players!

I wish they'd reissue those.

 

[Standalone]

I wish they'd reissue those.

me too. Already have the Roadster. Reverb always has Musicians. I may be getting one tomorrow!

Ibanez did reissue a limited run of Musicians.

 

[LUCE]

Split the difference and go 3+1!

luce ebmm src

• LUCE
• Feb 19, 2016
• 1

 

[Korladis]

me too. Already have the Roadster. Reverb always has Musicians. I may be getting one tomorrow!

Ibanez did reissue a limited run of Musicians.

I like those old school Ibanez basses way more than anything they make now.

 

[non]

I almost never do this, but I have to say it. I can't even begin to fathom why anyone would care about a headstock shape/design unless they were a luthier.

do you own anything that you care about how it looks or you want to know why it was designed a certain way?
just because i did not build my truck does not mean i can't be curious about why they arranged the dashboard the way they did.

 

[mellowinman]

do you own anything that you care about how it looks or you want to know why it was designed a certain way?
just because i did not build my truck does not mean i can't be curious about why they arranged the dashboard the way they did.

Obviously, I care about things, notably basses. I'm just saying headstock design is not a factor for me.

 

[Standalone]

Obviously, I care about things, notably basses. I'm just saying headstock design is not a factor for me.

Everything can be a factor in what makes a bass a good bass for me.

I like those old school Ibanez basses way more than anything they make now.

I like them a bit more, but not way more. The Soundgear line is an excellent, versatile design.