Has anyone felt the need to go from a tiltback to a straight headstock for tuning stability? (Strat)

[Bruce Campbell]

I know there are a few threads that mention general performance between these two setups, but I was wondering from anecdotal experience if anyone has felt strongly enough to go to a (Strat) straight headstock after trying a tiltback one in order to get acceptable tuning stability? I realize a lot of tuning issues happen at the nut, and I've messed with mine a good bit but still annoyed by bends messing up the tuning. The break angle is also greater on the tiltback than on my Gibson SG or Ibanez semi-hollow.

 

[cuthbert]

If you want tuning stability get a FR.

Personally I never experienced any difference between a tiltback amd a Fender headstock if we compare both designs with same nuts, locking tuners (staggered for Fenders).

 

[Waraxe]

10 of my 12 are tiltback headstocks.

Of those, 7 are 3x3, 2 are 6 in line, and 1 is 4x2.
I prefer tiltback for the ample pressure on the nut with no string trees. For the record, they're all hardtails.
A well cut nut renders either side of this argument, moot.
Locking trems do too.

That said, my js2450's straight headstock is so freakin' sexy! Lol
With the Floyd retainer bar and locking nut, it doesnt really matter anyway.

 

[ChronoTrigger77]

For traditional trems, a reduced break angle is better for returning the string to position. That said, yes, "a well cut nut" matters far more.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

10 of my 12 are tiltback headstocks.

Of those, 7 are 3x3, 2 are 6 in line, and 1 is 4x2.
I prefer tiltback for the ample pressure on the nut with no string trees. For the record, they're all hardtails.
A well cut nut renders either side of this argument, moot.
Locking trems do too.

That said, my js2450's straight headstock is so freakin' sexy! Lol
With the Floyd retainer bar and locking nut, it doesnt really matter anyway.

This=very yes.

You can have straight tilt to get the best of both worlds.

My Ibanez FRG7620 in my Avatar has a Gotoh Floyd, tilt head straight path to Hipshot open gear locking tuners and can hang with the best Vai-esque whammy yanks and pulls all day long.

 

[rauchman]

I have non FR trems on both Straight and Tiltback necks. On the Straight, I have examples of using Graphtech and LSR nuts.

Between the Straight and Tiltback necks using a Graphtech nut, I give a slight, and I mean slight, edge to the Straight. However, if using the tallest tuner posts available, for let's say HipShot tuners, this will help reduce the break angle a smidge, and give an einsey weinsey bit better tuning stability.

For the Tiltback having a straight path to the tuners, meaning no left of right angle from the nut to tuners helps a lot in reducing friction at the nut. The Strat based Tiltback and Meadowhawk headstocks seems to do this well.

Of them all, using an LSR nut has provided the best non locking tuning stability. Unfortunately, this doesn't work on a Tiltback. However, there are examples of roller nuts for Tiltbacks, such as the German made ABM roller nut.

 

[jhamnett]

Straight neck, LSR roller, staggered locking tuners = pretty dang stable.

 

[Rick]

Yes.

 

[Hodgo]

For reference - with domed thumbwheels, polished saddles and a well cut nylon nut, I can do full on dives with a maestro equipped SG, often thought of as one of the worst vibrato units ever.