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Opinions please. 12 fretter.


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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

To my eyes the straight cut across the top of the headstock has always looked cheap. As though the builder couldn't be bothered to do anything interesting.


Dave

Depends on what overall look you are going for. If traditional, then the one on the right. If non-traditional, then the one on the left. Personally, I like the one on the left. It looks like a nice design, has character, and is more interesting to look at. The number of guitars already out in the world have headstocks like the one on the right is enormous.

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Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right - Robert Hunter

The curvy one is much better IMHO.

Agree with those above. The left one is my preference.

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck

I think you might as well ask me what you should have for dessert. I'll make an inherently subjective recommendation, and someone else would understandably disagree with it.

I think that Jay has the right idea that the headstock looks better if it fits with the overall aesthetic of the guitar. If it is a more modern looking guitar overall, use the one on the left. If it is meant to be reminiscent of old Martins, then use the one on the right.

I'll stick up for the squared off head. On a certain type of guitar, it is the better looking option. The more complex shapes can look out of place on a guitar that is meant to look like guitars from the past. But again, that is a subjective preference of mine, just like everyone else's is.

I think the curvier headstock matches up with the curvier body better.

Dave

I prefer the headstock on the left with that particular body shape. personally I think that a straight pull design headstock may look even better for the modern style, but that's just my thoughts.

Cal

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Remember, there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers!

I got curved as well.


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The one on the left but with less distance between the E-string tuners and the nut. It's a pretty common pattern but I think it looks good. One of mine:

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

The distance will be ~10mm less than it looks in that pic, and the tuners are spaced different each side.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

I'd go with the simpler one on the right, but put a small radius on the corners. I like having attention drawn to the guitar itself. My two cents.

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formerly known around here as burbank
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http://www.patfosterguitars.com

Same for me.

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wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

Ok, that makes sense. Doesn't look like a multiscale neck so I'm curious as to why the tuners would be spaced differently on each side?

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Signature headstock.
I just find that spacing better for my fingers when I have my hand on that side.
Go figure.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

That works

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

If you are doing a traditional slot head I would go with the one on the right, If you are doing a 12 fret paddle head I would prefer the one on the left, although either can look good. I would keep the peghead/neck transition area symmetrical. In the first photo the lop sided transition area looks unintentional. In the photo of the finished headstock it looks symmetrical and the curve of the end of the peghead looks quite nice.
I have done a number of different peghead shapes, and often do a "snake head" design, so really don't have strong opinions about peghead shapes. I have done a few ugly ones and it is usually the proportions rather than the shape that bugs me.

I am leaning left also.