#1
|
|||
|
|||
Martin Headstock with Wings: Perspective
I had owned my Martin for a while before I knew the neck material or that it had wings. After reading some recent comments, out of curiosity, I looked closely again just to revisit just how apparent the joint might be.
They are taper from about 1/4" thick to 0 the wedge is about 3 inches. At first I had to look very closely to determine it wasn't the natural grain pattern. Just in-case you're wondering, this is what a sample of a headstock with wings looks like. The best image of the joint with direct light, a single flash: Image with mixed light source; lamp and flash: Undetectable from this angle: I for one, rarely ever pay attention to the back of the headstock except for occasional cleaning. Regardless, it requires effort to observe therefore a non-issue for me.
__________________
Martin 000-28EC, Taylor 12fret Cedar/Mahogany, Taylor GC8, Carvin AC275, Takamine TC135SC, Yamaha APX5na |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
It's not a problem for me either, especially since I found that mine doesn't have them,
But seriously, it's just another aestethics issue, if you're willing to pay 500$ more they won't be there. Other then that it's of no importance whatsoever and has no influence on the sound. As been said before, it's quite normal to see em on a wide range of instruments, my vintage 3000$ Gibson ES Artist Active also has them. Ludwig |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Don't care. Haven't even checked. Is that good or bad?
|
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Dunno, but I'd say it shows enormous self control, lol.
Wonder if your gaze doesn't occasionally wander off sneakily into the direction of the back of the headstock, if only to stop wondering for the rest of your life. Ludwig |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Not yet. lol.
|
#6
|
|||
|
|||
If it means a lot more solid necks, so be it. Too much waste cutting billets the traditional way. The wood is running out.
__________________
Roger Several Martins, 2 Guilds, a couple of kits and a Tilton (ever heard of those?), some ukes and a 1920s Vega tenor banjo Neil deGrasse Tyson — 'The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.' |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Wings were purely a conservation issue, and mostly Martin is using "select hardwood" now where supply is enough to not use "wings", mostly spanish cedar.
You can still get solid mahogany necks on higher end models but it has a cost, total non-issue to me................
__________________
Rich - rmyAddison Rich Macklin Soundclick Website http://www.youtube.com/rmyaddison Martin OM-18 Authentic '33 Adirondack/Mahogany Martin CS OM-28 Alpine/Madagascar Martin CS 00-42 Adirondack/Madagascar Martin OM-45TB (2005) Engelmann/Tasmanian Blackwood (#23 of 29) |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Gibson has used "wings" just short of forever. Collings does too, but they match the grain a little better than Martin. Personally, wings don't bother me much. I'd rather have mahogany with wings than SC without wings.
|
#9
|
|||
|
|||
People should turn wings into an additional feature, after all it takes more time to glue on wings which makes it a more labourious job and is therefore more expensive.
Besides that, like everything added to guitars which has no true function, it should be considered to be additional decoration, like a centre back wedge or a Porsche with racing stripes, also more expensive. So from now on every wings owner can sneer at the poor guy who couln't even afford wings on his guitar, Next hype in the production of guitars will be an extra exotic strip of wings and companies will heavily compete to create the most appealing woodcombinations/shapes with additional striped accents. Man I should have become a guitar designer as the current guys aren't even tapping into this hidden goldmine of wings design, . Ludwig Last edited by Von Beerhofen; 03-18-2013 at 12:37 PM. |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
"Wings???" I have no idea what y'all are talking about...
|
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Obtaining a wider piece of wood by joining two or more narrower pieces. If a wider central piece is used and narrower pieces to one or more sides, these narrower pieces can be referred to as "wings". I like mine BBQ'd. |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
@ Desert Twang
Couldn't afford them either eh? Ludwig |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
If they don't serve any structural purpose (and I think they don't), why not re-design the headstock to a narrower profile? This way there would be no extra work (and wood) for adding the wings and the environmental issue would be addressed at the same time.
Come on, let's all agree Martin's headstock is not the most inspiring one around... In fact, I cannot think of a simpler head stock design.
__________________
Martin00028EC |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
There used to be a lot of one-piece tops and backs in the 18th and early 19th centuries when guitars were smaller, Nobody complains about two-piece tops now.
__________________
Roger Several Martins, 2 Guilds, a couple of kits and a Tilton (ever heard of those?), some ukes and a 1920s Vega tenor banjo Neil deGrasse Tyson — 'The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.' |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
Who out there likes wings? Would you - if you had the choice - order them custom? I'm for complete wing disclosure before sale.
|