Official Luthiers Forum!

I am trying to make a slotted steel string guitar headstock. I would really appreciate any input you guys can give. My main problem is dimensions. If some of you would be so kind as to put down the measurements you use I would really appreciate it. I used this picture and put down letters to mark certain areas so you can just say:"On my headstock A= (your answer here), B= ect...

Sorry if this is kind of stupid but I just messed up a neck today trying to make a slotted headstock. I don't have any dimensions or anything so I guessed at everything and screwed it up.


What is the width of your slots ??

What is the total length of your slots ??

Measuring up from the nut, where do your slots start?? Not the start of the angle but the drilling or routing start location??

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Colby...I've made two slotheads. The first was a 000-12 Fret using StewMac's plans. The 2nd was a parlor guitar following Scott Antes plans. The following are dimensions from the plans and some that I measured from the full scale drawings:

000-12 Fret
A= 2.91"
B= 2.35" (measured)
C= 5.15" (measured)
D= 1.05" (measured)
E= 6.25" (measured)
Thickness = 0.750"
Slot width = 0.500"
Slot length = 4.00"
Nut to beginning of slot = 1.125"
Headstock edge to edge of slot = 0.312"

Parlor Guitar (all dimensions measured)
A= 2.7"
B= 2.125"
C= 5.35"
D= 1.00"
E= 6.35"
Thickness = 0.70"
Slot width = 0.500"
Slot length= 3.60"
Nut to beginning of slot= 1.75"
Headstock to edge of slot= 0.390"

Hope this helps. If you'd like tracings of these headstocks just PM me with your address. Good luck.

_________________
JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Thanks JJ, I really appreciate it. When my new neck wood comes I'm going to try it again. I think you've given me enough dimensions to get it right this time. If I'm still having trouble laying out something that looks right I might have to order one of those plans.