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  #1  
Old 09-14-2012, 03:58 PM
Gasworker Gasworker is offline
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Default Slope shouldered

This should be a short thread. When a guitar is described as being "slope shouldered", What does this mean?
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Old 09-14-2012, 04:09 PM
bozz_2006 bozz_2006 is offline
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It is all about the upper bout; the area where the guitar's body meets the neck. The "shoulders" on a slope shoulder are more rounded off than than the raditional dreadnaught.
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Old 09-14-2012, 04:11 PM
NBhunter80 NBhunter80 is offline
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Slope shoulder means that the shoulder is somewhat rounded towards the neck, as opposed to a square shoulder which is pretty much at a 90 degree to the neck. Here are some examples because it is easier to see in a picture:

This Gibson J-45 is a slope shouldered dreadnaught:



This Martin D-28 is a square shouldered dreadnaught:

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Old 09-14-2012, 04:21 PM
Glennwillow Glennwillow is offline
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Here is a similar thread with background...

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...slope-shoulder

- Glenn
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Old 09-14-2012, 04:47 PM
Gasworker Gasworker is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NBhunter80 View Post
Slope shoulder means that the shoulder is somewhat rounded towards the neck, as opposed to a square shoulder which is pretty much at a 90 degree to the neck. Here are some examples because it is easier to see in a picture:

This Gibson J-45 is a slope shouldered dreadnaught:



This Martin D-28 is a square shouldered dreadnaught:

Thanks I appreciate the time to answer my question. Seems really obvious once you are on the path.
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Old 09-14-2012, 04:48 PM
Gasworker Gasworker is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Glennwillow View Post
Here is a similar thread with background...

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...slope-shoulder

- Glenn
Thanks Glenn. I should have looked but I though it would be an easy answer. I appreciate the link to the thread.
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Old 09-14-2012, 05:35 PM
Misty44 Misty44 is offline
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The first dreadnoughts were slope shouldered and evolved in the mid-1930's to today's more common square shouldered design.



Until that time, the standard Martin guitar was 12-frets clear of the body with a slotted peghead. Today, Martin slope shouldered guitars are still 12-frets and slotted, although they are no longer "standard."
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Old 09-14-2012, 06:00 PM
RussMason RussMason is offline
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Smile Joke

You can ski on the slope shouldered models, but you will probably fall off the square shouldered ones.

Always wear protective gear when playing your guitar.
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Old 09-14-2012, 08:13 PM
Misty44 Misty44 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RussMason View Post
You can ski on the slope shouldered models, but you will probably fall off the square shouldered ones.
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Old 09-14-2012, 09:06 PM
stevecuss stevecuss is offline
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Oh, and slope shoulder = prettiest guitar ever designed IMO
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Old 09-15-2012, 09:02 AM
zabdart zabdart is offline
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Some nice illustrative pictures here.
It should be pointed out that, in general, square shouldered dreadnoughts deliver a bit more bass in their sound than slope shoulders, which sound a little more balanced.
This is all a matter of individual taste.
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