Slotted heads... mechanics and machines...

[JanVanHove]

I'm putting together a design that would work relatively well with a slotted head, like vintage gibsons, and I was wondering if that was just stupid...

For some reason I'm considering that slotted heads are less structurally solid than flat heads, but maybe I'm wrong...

I haven't been able to locate vintage-gibson-equivalent bass tuning machines, anyone knows if they are still around somewhere or if I can simply use guitar machines in a slotted head?

I'm still not convinced about the slotted option, and so I'd like to hear your thoughts on the matter...

 

[renniw]

My last headstock was kinda slotted.

The maple is surprisingly strong considering the wood thickness (I'll get exact measurements later).

As far as tuning machine goes, I use regular tuners, they're just oriented differently.

Aslo check Link Removed

He's a regular here (user Rim basses) and does wonders with slotted headstock.

 

[JanVanHove]

Oh, thanks for reminding me about the Rim basses... they are indeed the general concept I had in mind...

 

[Fly Guitars]

For some reason I'm considering that slotted heads are less structurally solid than flat heads, but maybe I'm wrong....

Well all mahogany-necked Gibsons snap - we all know that, and i've had a few with snapped/repaired slotted headstocks (5 now)

However, the snap has always been at the usual place - below the headstock. I don't recall ever seeing one that was broken higher up.

So, although it may be weaker than a flat headstock, it is still not the weakpoint.

 

[jordan_frerichs]

Well all mahogany-necked Gibsons snap - we all know that, and i've had a few with snapped/repaired slotted headstocks (5 now)

However, the snap has always been at the usual place - below the headstock. I don't recall ever seeing one that was broken higher up.

So, although it may be weaker than a flat headstock, it is still not the weakpoint.

that is also partly because of extreme head angling and one piece necks. Are you planing to put an angle or leave it flat? even with a flat open-style head, the strings get enough pull, but angling would help increase tension (like if you were doing a 5 string and where worried about the b-string you could add a little angle to it for the extra tension) on an open head though, the angle would by far not be as extreme as a standard angled head. I would go with an angle of around 5* and keep it under 10*, if i was doing an angled open head.

 

[pilotjones]

Angling back the HS increases the pressure on the nut, but does not increase the string tension.

 

[JanVanHove]

I'm gonna have it angled back a bit, I think that the "less than ten degrees" suggestion if pretty good. It should go on an arched body, and so the neck itself is going to have an angle to begin with...