To Volute or not!

[Tnfiddler]

Everyone’s always asking the “what do you prefer”
questions, so I’ll ask one. How many prefer a Volute? I was a Taylor guy for many years and always loved the 2 and 3 piece back straps. I had no clue that a Volute even existed on a guitar until I bought my first Bourgeois. Now that I’ve had one, all my current (full-size)guitars have one and I don’t like a neck/headstock to NOT have one. I’d even go so far as to say it’d be a deal-breaker for me on a purchase if a guitar didn’t have one. How about you folks? Who prefers them and who could care less??

[warfrat73]

I like the way they look. And I like the idea of them. But I'm pretty indifferent when it comes down to it. I judge guitars on other merits.

[Rosewood99]

Not a fan. I sometimes like to put my capo right above the nut when I’m not using it, and it doesn’t sit right because of the volute.

[Tnfiddler]

Originally Posted by Rosewood99

Not a fan. I sometimes like to put my capo right above the nut when I’m not using it, and it doesn’t sit right because of the volute.

My Heritage and showcase capos live perfectly behind mine when I’m not using them during a gig or jamming.

[Rev Roy]

Count me as agnostic when it comes to volutes. Nonetheless, I’ve had them on most of the guitars I’ve owned…but just because they were standard not because I cared. I’m more interested in tone than back-of-the-headstock carving. For instance, my Iris is volute-free and she’s a bold tone monster.

[Russ C]

They make the neck look more “complete” - or some similar word.
If they do anything strengthen the area it’s a plus - but a non issue really though for me.

[warfrat73]

Originally Posted by Rev Roy

Count me as agnostic when it comes to volutes. Nonetheless, I’ve had them on most of the guitars I’ve owned…but just because they were standard not because I cared. I’m more interested in tone than back-of-the-headstock carving. For instance, my Iris is volute-free and she’s a bold tone monster.

I'd say arguably that there is a volute there, Rev. Just not a birdsbeak or diamond one.

[Rad]

My experience is, most audiences don’t care if the guitar has one or not.

[Rudy4]

I included one on my last acoustic slot head build.

Volutes come in a range of shapes, so don't get hung up on exactly what they should look like. In many cases the volute adds mechanical strength to the area of the neck where the truss rod pocket is placed, thereby offsetting some of the strength lost from removing material in that area.

[birdsong]

I like them in their range of shapes but as was mentioned earlier, I'm agnostic about one, when it comes to a purchase.

I too have it on my D-41 and it is a thing of beauty .......

John

[brencat]

I am a bit of a traditionalist so I expect a volute on a style 28/41/42/45 Rosewood guitar. I am indifferent to mahogany b/s guitars that have them (like many Santa Cruz models & customs) though prefer they don’t if given a choice. Probably because of Martin, I associate volutes with Rosewood and that’s the only way it’s supposed to be.

[Tnfiddler]

Unfortunately I’m one who likes my guitars to sound great AND look great. According to this article, they strengthen the neck at its weakest point, so they are a good thing.

https://zinginstruments.com/guitar-v...itar_Volute_Do

[raysachs]

My first good guitar (D28) had one. So I like them, but they’re not a must have or deal breaker. I have two acoustics now, one with, one without. I like them both equally. The volute doesn’t figure into it, but I’m happy to have it on one of them…

-Ray

[JonWint]

I like the real ones. They look good with ivory pegs and a hanging button. (On a 1900 00-30.)[IMG][/IMG]

[Rev Roy]

Originally Posted by warfrat73

I'd say arguably that there is a volute there, Rev. Just not a birdsbeak or diamond one.

Originally Posted by Rudy4

Volutes come in a range of shapes, so don't get hung up on exactly what they should look like. In many cases the volute adds mechanical strength to the area of the neck where the truss rod pocket is placed, thereby offsetting some of the strength lost from removing material in that area.

Interesting. When I think of volutes I think of the pointy stuff. Now I know better. Thanks for the schooling.