NGD - Reverse Headstock Strat !

[ChristianFS1]

hi everybody ! i've just completed a strat build, and thought it would be fitting to post some pics of it! if i'm able to update OP, i'll add more pictures as they come along.  :icon_thumright:

EDIT: it's got lindy fralin vintage hot pickups, gotoh tuners, Daphne blue finish, no-name bridge (i think, as i took the "6 screw vintage" one from warmoth).
Update: new pics, now with strapbuttons and strap !

 

[Cagey]

Nice Strat! Need a bigger picture, though. That one only takes 2 hours to download <grin>

 

[AutoBat]

I love it except the hardware, pickguard, and headstock orientation.

 

[peter.k]

I like it alot!! I really like solid color strats with an 8 screw single ply guard. Your guitar reminds me of a Squier bullet strat, which is a good thing as I like them.

The gold hardware looks great. Can't get my head around the reverse headstock. I have mentally reversed it back fifty times already. You like it, thats all that matters. Is there a secret to reverse headstocks I dont know about, or is purely asthetic???

EDIT: gold frets as well? :glasses9:

 

[Tonar8352]

Is there a secret to reverse headstocks

Yes it changes the normal length of the strings by reversing the orientation so it changes the feel of the tension. If one does the whole upside down thing with the body too it changes the orientation of the pole pieces on the strings also and many feel that changes the tone of the guitar.

Mine has the upside down CBS headstock with a left handed body that has a normal right handed pickup and control routing. This is the best sounding Strat I have ever built, totally ergonomically impractical, uncomfortable and unbalanced and not very pretty, I just wish I could get a regular Strat to sound as good.

 

[peter.k]

Is there a secret to reverse headstocks

Yes it changes the normal length of the strings by reversing the orientation so it changes the feel of the tension. If one does the whole upside down thing with the body too it changes the orientation of the pole pieces on the strings also and many feel that changes the tone of the guitar.

Mine has the upside down CBS headstock with a left handed body that has a normal right handed pickup and control routing. This is the best sounding Strat I have ever built, totally ergonomically impractical, uncomfortable and unbalanced and not very pretty, I just wish I could get a regular Strat to sound as good.

Tonar, don't take this the wrong way, but are you pulling my leg? ???

 

[Jumble Jumble]

http://liutaiomottola.com/myth/perception.htm

 

[peter.k]

Thanks Tonar and Jumble. I learnt something today (or read something to think about anyways) 

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

A consequence of more string on either side of the speaking length is that bends must be more drastic for the same effect of their shorter counterparts.  E standard is still E standard, and Strats are still 25.5" scale length, but that bend to a major 3rd on a low E  has to be bent more to get there, and a bend to major 3rd on a B or high E gets there sooner on reverse headstocks.  But who cares?  It just looks cooler.  A 3+3 headstock technically lets the low strings behave like a normal 6 in line headstock and the high strings behave like a 6 in line reverse headstock.  But who cares?

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

BTW, great Strat!

 

[Tonar8352]

I can only tell you what I have experienced peter.k and I have formed some onions over the years that some people will take exception with but that is the fun of this forum. We tend to stay pretty civil around here compared to some of the other forums I visit.

Here is the guitar I am talking about since you probable have not seen it. We have done A/B tests with this guitar against so many great sounding Strats and every time we throw our hand up in the air, shake our heads and give it the thumbs up on tone.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I've got 4 basses with Fender shaped reverse headstocks.  I did it because I saw a guy with one a Peavey P-Bass copy some years back, and I thought, "That's different."

It's funny because I get a few looks, and based on some comments, people are really confused by it.  I'll tell 'em it's a reverse headstock, and I get, "Are you lefthanded?  Is it a left handed bass?  Why did you do that?" Some know what they're looking at, and I'll get the different tension comments and queries.  On one occasion, a guy swore the headstock was gonna twist on me.  Even when I pulled up my brand and gauge specs on the website and showed him the E is 37 lbs at pitch and the G is 41 lbs at pitch, he still insisted.  Now on a guitar, some gauges do have heavier tension on the bass strings, but twisting shouldn't be a concern.

In the end, I just did it because it's different.  When Ps and Js are so ubiquitous, why not be different on a custom instrument?

 

[ChristianFS1]

I like it alot!! I really like solid color strats with an 8 screw single ply guard. Your guitar reminds me of a Squier bullet strat, which is a good thing as I like them.

The gold hardware looks great. Can't get my head around the reverse headstock. I have mentally reversed it back fifty times already. You like it, thats all that matters. Is there a secret to reverse headstocks I dont know about, or is purely asthetic???

EDIT: gold frets as well? :glasses9:

yeah, i chose a reverse headstock for two reasons :
1: i like the look of it
2: i wanted something a little different

it's actually not that bad to tune it, but it's a bit annoying to change strings on it (for now, might change as i get used to it). I litterally can't feel any difference between this and a regular headstock. supposedly, i should change the sound af feel, but i haven't experienced this yet.

and yup, gold frets

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I have found restringing to be more ergonomic on a lefty headstock since I'm righthanded.  The butt of the body rests at the inside of my left foot at the floor.  The neck rests on the inside of my right knee, and the tuners end up being right there facing you on your right side.  Underhand tuning with it strapped standing up is more ergonomic, however the order is reversed and took getting used too.  The low E being furthest away instead of closest.

 

[peter.k]

I can only tell you what I have experienced peter.k and I have formed some onions over the years that some people will take exception with but that is the fun of this forum. We tend to stay pretty civil around here compared to some of the other forums I visit.

Didn't mean anything uncivil Tonar. I have been playing a long time and never come across this theory, that's all...

yeah this is a great site to hang around. No "my Les Paul is the best, my Sg is best, my Tele is best " forum crap here. But I do like all of those as well.

and WOW, that's not your average Strat. The white and maple just shines.....

 

[ChristianFS1]

I can only tell you what I have experienced peter.k and I have formed some onions over the years that some people will take exception with but that is the fun of this forum. We tend to stay pretty civil around here compared to some of the other forums I visit.

Here is the guitar I am talking about since you probable have not seen it. We have done A/B tests with this guitar against so many great sounding Strats and every time we throw our hand up in the air, shake our heads and give it the thumbs up on tone.

Boy, that looks interesting !

 

[Great Ape]

I love it except the hardware, pickguard, and headstock orientation.

:icon_biggrinude, that's COLD! And very funny...and, oh yeah, I kinda like that Strat... :laughing7: