To Angle Headstock, or not to Angle Headstock... that is the Q.

[RockStarNick]

Hey guys,

Well, as I've mentioned before, I'm going to soon be building a Nuno-Washburn inspired Warmoth.  Black Korina Soloist body, maple neck, reverse Washburn-style headstock, etc.  (see picture)

My Question is: Should I get the 13 degree angled headstock (a la the Nuno), or just do the Nuno Shape on a regular style headstock, non angled?

That being said, if I get staggered locking tuners, will there be enough break-angle over the nut for the fatter strings, since it's a reverse style.  I'd prefer to not use strings trees...

 

[tfarny]

If you're using a locking nut, I have no idea why any of it would matter at all.

 

[mayfly]

If you're using a locking nut, I have no idea why any of it would matter at all.

Especially with the hardtail  :icon_biggrin:

I would not angle the headstock, IMHO.  I've  seen too many guitars (Gibsons mind you) that have fallen on their faces and broke the headstock off.

 

[RockStarNick]

Forgot to add in this disclaimer:

*** Locking nut is only in the photoshopped mock-up and will NOT be used.

 

[GoDrex]

I would not angle the headstock, IMHO.  I've  seen too many guitars (Gibsons mind you) that have fallen on their faces and broke the headstock off.

Warmoth's angled necks are a lot stronger than a Gibson's, since Gibson uses one piece of wood. The scarf joint Warmoth uses is stronger.

 

[tfarny]

I think my angled headstocks (2, one a strat shape and one a W shape) look and feel extremely strong and stable. The construction is totally different than Gibson.
I remember someone saying this type of join (scarf) is stronger than a single piece of wood.

 

[RockStarNick]

Ok. Photoshop concept image fixed to a standard nut...

So far, looks like I hear good things about that scarf joint... super strong.

 

[Nando Vallart]

Ok. Photoshop concept image fixed to a standard nut...

So far, looks like I hear good things about that scarf joint... super strong.

Yes, but less strong than the Fender headstock, anyway...

 

[Orpheo]

Ok. Photoshop concept image fixed to a standard nut...

So far, looks like I hear good things about that scarf joint... super strong.

Yes, but less strong than the Fender headstock, anyway...

true, but when it comes just to strength, I think we're walking the wrong direction.....a warmoth angled head is very strong, and the fact that a fender style is 'stronger', is being outweight by the fact tht I dont need stringretainers with an angled head.

 

[RockStarNick]

^

Exactly.

I think it IS possible to have a non-angled headstock and NOT use string trees. Heck, John Suhr does guitars this way. It definitely requires locking tuners with really short posts to get enough break angle.

All that being said, I'm probably gonna just do the angled stock. Keep it as cose to the Nuno Washburn as possible, since that was the original inspiration anyway.

 

[Nando Vallart]

^

Exactly.

I think it IS possible to have a non-angled headstock and NOT use string trees. Heck, John Suhr does guitars this way. It definitely requires locking tuners with really short posts to get enough break angle.

All that being said, I'm probably gonna just do the angled stock. Keep it as cose to the Nuno Washburn as possible, since that was the original inspiration anyway.

I had it on my reverse neck strat when the strings were 2mm higher than the frets (master jumbo)
After remake the nut because of a stupid luthier, if start to buzz

 

[Orpheo]

^

Exactly.

I think it IS possible to have a non-angled headstock and NOT use string trees. Heck, John Suhr does guitars this way. It definitely requires locking tuners with really short posts to get enough break angle.

All that being said, I'm probably gonna just do the angled stock. Keep it as cose to the Nuno Washburn as possible, since that was the original inspiration anyway.

I believe Suhr makes his necks in such a way, that the flat surface of the headstock is lower, compared with fender necks. because its lower, you still have the straight angle, but no stringtrees required. I hope I can make myself clear?

 

[RockStarNick]

Very clear, orpheo.  Seems that Suhr reworked his headstock, not just flipped around a Strat one.

 

[T.L.]

Here's My answer:
If you are using a Floyd Rose type locking nut with a string tree, then an angled headstock is pretty much pointless, as the proper string pressure is applied by the locking nut and/or string tree.

An angled headstock comes in handy when using a conventional (non-locking) type of nut, as sustain will be increased by the increased string pressure over the nut. It also produces less string buzz, and there's less chance of strings popping out of the nut slots during bending...