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I’m in the process of finishing up the design work for my first slotted headstock guitar. I’m just wondering if the peghead angle for the slot headstock is the same as for a solid headstock or is it a lot different? Right now I am using 14 degrees.

Thanks

Josh

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
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House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

Hi Josh,
I have plans for a OOO slot head that calls for a 10 degree headstock angle. From what I understand, a 15 degree angle would be on the steep side since the break angle for the strings is to the middle thickness of the headstock rather than the post sitting on top.

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I think, therefore I am....often confused!

Josh,

Unless you're trying to replicate a vintage instrument of some kind, 14 degrees works fine. There's nothing wrong with a steeper break angle at the peghead. I've built guitars with a 30 degree scarfed peghead without any problems.

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Jimmy Caldwell
http://www.caldwellguitars.com

I'd draw it out on paper to see if 10 degrees will yield an average 15 degree string angle on a slotted head stock but I suspect this is a rule of thumb not written in stone, so-to-speak.
Intuition tells me better to be more of a break angle than under.

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Wade
Nashua, NH
http://www.wadefx.com

I use 10 degrees also.
For the very reason Richard stated.
Plus it looks right also.

Mike

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Mike Collins

The strings will ride on the wood ramps if the angle is steep.
Removing more wood there to compensate will weaken the area .

Mike

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Mike Collins

Do I hear 11 ... going once ... thats right, goes to 11 ....

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Tony Karol
www.karol-guitars.com
"let my passion .. fulfill yours"

I always assumed the angle was the same. I made my 12 fret neck template from a slothead Martin I was doing a neck reset on. I'll have to check and see what the angle is.

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I didn't mean to say it, but I meant what I said.
http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

i once came across an article by Mr.Somogyi about the guitar's neck and it's design.
he stated that 10 degress on a slothead os what he uses and so thats what i've been using ever since though funnily enough that didnt make my guitars sounds like his

Thanks guys, it is helpful to know what others are doing. I see the logic in using the 10 degree angle and I think that is what I will try first.

Josh

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
https://www.facebook.com/canadianluthiersupply?ref=hl
House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com