Guitar Headstock Design Software
Subject: RE: Guitar Headstock Design From: CraigS Date: 12 Oct 02 - 07:13 PM In the classical world the headstock is the distinguishing mark of the maker, and each. 3D Guitar Design and. Design customization using SketchUp using components such as the blank headstock to design and model. And design ideas.
I was hoping some of you would care to discuss your thoughts on different headstock angles and their impact on playability, sound, etc. It seems that 13, 15 and 17 degree angles seem to make up the majority of those used my builders but I am curious as to why different makers arrive at these numbers. For the sake of the discussion lets assume we are talking about a setneck guitar with a 24.625 scale length (but please dont hesitate to address the question in reference to other combinations). I was hoping some of you would care to discuss your thoughts on different headstock angles and their impact on playability, sound, etc. It seems that 13, 15 and 17 degree angles seem to make up the majority of those used my builders but I am curious as to why different makers arrive at these numbers. For the sake of the discussion lets assume we are talking about a setneck guitar with a 24.625 scale length (but please dont hesitate to address the question in reference to other combinations). Click to expand.Perhaps it is best to discuss this matter with a general review of some basic facts regarding this particular topic.
A steeper headstock angle will impart slightly increased string tension as compared to a shallower headstock angle. Increased string tension suggests a slightly different rise-time and overtone series. These are big topics for another time. A shallower headstock angle is a prerequisite for any guitar that sports a non-locking vibrato bridge. This is because the steeper headstock pitch forces more string 'down-pressure' at the point at which the angle changes.ie, the nut. Any headstock angle that is steeper than 10 degrees (and 10 degrees is pushing the limits!) will cause the strings to 'saw to-and-fro' as the bar is used, and the strings will quickly start to bind in the nut slots; they will not return to pitch. A steeper headstock angle usually makes for a weaker area on the neck at the point at which the angle changes.again, at the nut area.
Many of these necks will be prone to breakage at this point. Proper neck design can minimise this;it's worth mentioning that some of these workarounds can have notable effects upon the guitar's tone if taken to extremes, ie, multiple laminations of the headstock ala Vega White Lady, Alembic, and etc. The above are some facts that can provide a basis for conversation, I hope! Click to expand.You are most welcome!
Thank you for your excellent question. I would'nt say that there are inherent drawbacks to a multiple-laminate headstock design; in fact, used as part of the correct overall guitar chassis design, it can actually be beneficial if performed correctly. The basics are as follows: 1) Any time that we use multiple laminations in a guitar neck, it becomes stiffer. Because it is stiffer, the neck will tend to have a higher Primary Resonant Frequency (PRF). Boss Gt 100 Patches Pink Floyd. The neck will often tend to vibrate most freely at a higher 'pitch' as opposed to a solid wood neck. 2) Because a guitar neck is a tone generator, partially, a higher neck PRF will dictate it's contribution to the acoustic sound, and hense the amplified sound of the guitar; and thus can be artfully used as a component of a guitar chassis that is intended to have 'that certain sound'. 3) Important to note that, altho it flies in the face of reason, stiffness and stability are two separate things. Fostex Fe108ez 4 Full Range Driver.
Thus, a multiple laminate style of construction does not nessesarily present a more stable design; it all has to do with the species of wood being used, and more. It is important to choose materials that have similiar properties as regards the way that they expand and contract in relation to the humidity and temperature of thier environment.otherwise we can have a neck made of 'uncooperative' materials, with the end result being frequent use of that truss rod wrench at best, or separation/delamination of the various individual parts. Thanks again for your question. Click to expand.
My view is that it`s more a percieved tension, in that with increased headstock angle comes a stiffer, less elastic feel to the strings. Increasing the break angle reduces the ease with which the string can move through the nut and reduces the effect of the string length behind the nut. It may sound counterintuitive but whenever a note is bent, the string behind the nut must stretch also, this contributes to a slightly 'looser' more elastic feel and must (although I have no peer reviewed, scientific studies to confirm it), affect to some degree, the note 'envelope'. Click to expand.Yes, of course, but that could only achieve higher tension by raising pitch.
Once you return the pitch of the strings to where they were before bending the headstock on our imaginary guitar, the tension would be the same. This is a very clearly described physical principal. A given string, at a given pitch and scale length, will have one tension, no matter what is happening past the nut (or bridge).