Slot-heads & 12 frets

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by H165

And, it's a 14 fretter!

Here's another:

https://reverb.com/item/6468096-2016...s-gloss-finish

Absolutely! I capo to the seventh a lot and need the real estate. I've only got $125 invested in mine so far, though...

[roylor4]

Well, It's not a Martin, but I just took a chance on the SDOTD a couple of days ago and bought an Alvarez AP30SB. SHORT scale (24"), 12 fret and 1.75" nut and paddle headstock.

It usually takes me a while to bond with a new guitar - not with this one. Setup was perfect out of the box. Warm woody and extremely responsive and resonant. Extemely balanced tone. Unlike most guitars that sound brittle and "green", this one sounds played in already.

It was a keeper on my first strum.

[AZLiberty]

Originally Posted by roylor4

Unlike most guitars that sound brittle and "green", this one sounds played in already.

It was a keeper on my first strum.

I think it's the scalloped bracing. But what do I know?

[DesertTwang]

I've been wondering about the relationship between 12 frets and slotheads as well, except the other way around. I prefer the optics of a slotted headstock over a paddlehead any day. I bought my 000-15sm not because, but despite the fact that it has 12 frets. I wonder why there are so few, (or none?) 14-fret guitars with slotted headstocks?

[Steadfastly]

If you can hear the difference in tone or sustain, go with it.
If you like the looks of it better, then go with it.
If it doesn't matter about the looks and you can't hear a difference in tone, don't worry about it and buy the best guitar you can for your money.

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by Steadfastly

If you can hear the difference in tone or sustain, go with it.
If you like the looks of it better, then go with it.
If it doesn't matter about the looks and you can't hear a difference in tone, don't worry about it and buy the best guitar you can for your money.

Now where's the fun in that? If everyone followed those rules, AGF traffic would halve.

[Steadfastly]

Originally Posted by eatswodo

Now where's the fun in that? If everyone followed those rules, AGF traffic would halve.

Maybe I should delete my post. I wouldn't want to be responsible for slowing down the traffic on AGF.

[min7b5]

Originally Posted by dneal

If a few degrees difference between a slot head and paddle head makes for an audible difference, the few degrees difference between each pair of strings should as well. So which pair sounds best, and which sounds worst?

I think maybe differences tone (not necessarily better or worse) is about a whole bunch of little things (in addition to the obvious big stuff like bracing) and maybe those angles do play some small roll. Maybe not. Slotheads have different mass overall too, so again maybe that's another small thing. I don't know. It's anecdotal, but I like slotheads

[dneal]

Originally Posted by min7b5

I think maybe differences tone (not necessarily better or worse) is about a whole bunch of little things (in addition to the obvious big stuff like bracing) and maybe those angles do play some small roll. Maybe not. Slotheads have different mass overall too, so again maybe that's another small thing. I don't know. It's anecdotal, but I like slotheads

Don’t get me wrong, I love 12 fret slot heads and I only own one guitar that’s not one. My point is only that the break angle thing gets repeated a lot, but it makes no sense.

[Woolbury]

My take is purely aesthetic. I love vintage, small body guitars, and 12 fret slot heads evoke that feel, appearance. I also don't like cutaways or electronics onboard for the same reasons, none of them are driven by sound, just my aesthetic preference.

[jgmaute]

I got my first good guitar when I was in high school, a new 1962 Martin 00-21NY slot head 12. It’s still my favorite guitar and has been joined by two other slot heads, 1998 Martin 00-16 DBR, a Women And Music series all of which were 14 fret slot heads and a 12 fret 2014 Blueridge BR-361. I’ve always liked the look, don’t have a problem with stringing, and am not going to enter the angle debate. I like them, I play them. The photo is a bit distorted but L to R
‘98 00-16 DBR, ‘53 00-18, 2014 BR-361, ‘62 00-21 NY

DA71E860-7313-450C-952E-1AF8E3123DF7.jpg

[Yanto]

Originally Posted by Woolbury

My take is purely aesthetic. I love vintage, small body guitars, and 12 fret slot heads evoke that feel, appearance. I also don't like cutaways or electronics onboard for the same reasons, none of them are driven by sound, just my aesthetic preference.

Totally agree with all of this. If you like them, buy them. If you don’t, then don’t. They’ll still sell. Same goes for all models not just 12 fretter slotheads.