Official Luthiers Forum!

Hey, I was laying out the headpiece on another weiss build yesterday,
and checked the headstock angle on it, and my pattern is 7-8 degrees.
I checked the plans, and it was the same.
I searched the archives here, and only found someone saying 13 degrees,
which is what I thought it should be.
Any opinions on the angle?
I think steeper than 7-8 would be better.

There is no magic angle, I think.
If you don't have enough pressure on your nut, the string may buzz or me unstable in the nut slot (like electric fenders...).
If you have to much pressure, it can break the string, or make it stuck in the nut slot (wounded ones).
Also, both situations can make your string off-tune, and sound ''dead''.

Anything between 10 and 20 should be okay. (the angle of the string itself)

Francis

_________________
Francis Richer, Montréal
Les Guitares F&M Guitars

I use 15 for steels,11-12 for classics & slotted head steels ; 18 for Flamenco with pegs.

Mike

_________________
Mike Collins

Your Weissenborn has a high nut compared to a standard guitar and thus is fine with a lower headstock angle.
All that matters is having the break angle over the nut

I've alwayx used 15 degree angle for my steels too.

Can I pose a question without high jacking the thread? It does relate to the question at hand.

Where you fellers suggest buying a digital protactor? I see a Wixey brand in WoodCraft catalog for $60.00, just wondering if you'uns had any other suggestions.

Hutch

_________________
"After forty-nine years of violin building, I have decided that the search for a varnish is similar to the fox hunt. The fun is in the hunt."
Jack Batts Maker and Repairer of Fine Violins

Thanks all.
Jeff, good point.
Didn't even think about that.

I just glued in the 12 degree.
Probably go back to the 8 degree on the next one.

I followed Todd Stocks excellent tutorial for the first Weisenborn Copy that I built and the break angle was fine (8 degrees). I'm presently in the process of building a second Weissenborn Copy using the same specs. I didn't use a table saw, I used hand saws, but the cuts are the same.

viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=14579&hilit=head+block

Another great Todd Stock method.
Ron, I like the way you're back starts curving to the nut at the lower bout.
Hey, looks like another lap steeler here!
That's all I play now.

Hi alan,
Todd also posted the Weissenborn Style Side Profile Measurements that I'm using on my current build (above photo). I was going to post a link to the side profile measurements but I can't find them in the forum archives. I pre-profiled the sides before bending. Using Todds measurements I drew the side profile in Adobe Illustrator.

I must admit that I haven't been playing too much lap style guitar lately. I built the electric lap steel in my avatar last summer but It's been in the case for about 4 months. I do plan on playing the hog Weissenborn style guitar once It's finished. I guess I'm not too crazy about electric guitars.

ron

Most of my guitars have about a 10 degree headstock deflection. I haven't had any problems, though if you do at 7-8 degrees it's not a big deal to put some string retainers on the headstock of this guitar and next time just increase the angle.

_________________
http://www.sixgunguitars.com