Benefits to a Slotted headstock?

[Yrksman]

I like the look of slotted headstocks and 12 fret guitars generally.

It takes a little bit longer to change strings but I’ve done it so many times I no longer think about it.

You pays your money, you takes your choice.

[Martz911]

Been there, done that. Although they look "vintage" and cool, and I'm sure they're more time-consuming to build, I find them a pain in the hindquarters to restring.

[The Bard Rocks]

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

The first one that comes to mind is less fun changing strings, if that is a benefit?

I find them as easy, perhaps a tad easier. Why? The tuner knobs are more easily reached, motions more consistent from one side to the next. As far as getting the string in - the holes are the same size. Just turn them perpendicular to the head.

However, the advantage as I see it, is the guitar is less likely to be head-heavy. And of course, it looks and feels more traditional, but that's aesthetics.

[zoopeda]

All the armchair luthiers say “better break angle over the nut” and all the luthiers say (on countless threads) “that makes zero tonal difference vs standard break angle on a solid headstock.” Yet, the sentiment perpetuates, like all things Internet...

[TBman]

I have a couple of slots, steel and classical. I like the look of them.

[TokyoNeko]

The benefit? It helps me save money by taking the guitar completely out of consideration for purchase.

It's one attribute that automatically disqualifies the guitar no matter how desirable it is otherwise, mainly due to string change and aesthetics. Yes, I like the look of solid headstocks.

[Hoyt]

After I learned to precut strings when changing, that part became easy. Not quite as easy as a paddle headstock, but not bad.

I like DR Sunbeam strings (round core), but precutting them just doesn’t work most of the time on a slothead.

[fazool]

My serious answer is that I truly like the look.

I had a slothead 12 string for over 20 years. String changing is not even an issue once you get good at it

[colins]

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

The first one that comes to mind is less fun changing strings, if that is a benefit?

Plus one on Tim's comment, particularly when you want to use strings like Newtones that can't be pre-cut.

And you can't put a nice inlay on a slot head headstock!

[richie1959]

Changing strings is very easy with a slotted headstock!!
And ,,, it looks cool. Don't know if the sound changes with these headstocks..

[nickv6]

Originally Posted by fazool

They are lighter weight for those long marathon gigs and have less wind resistance for those extremely fast dance spins you do.

Less wind resistance....brilliant
Nick

[cdkrugjr]

I never found a slot top especially difficult to re-string, even with slippery flourocarbon strings on my Cordoba.

It is a slightly different technique, but nothing you can't learn with a bit of patience.

Tonally? Tough call, but usually there are many other differences in the guitar. I've never seen, for example, a pair of D-18 12-fretters, one slot, one paddle side by side . . . the 12s are all slot and the 14s are all paddle, which is a bigger deal than the headstock type.

[J Patrick]

...slotheads present a traditional aesthetic which may or may not be a benefit depending on personal preferences....they ay are bound to have some impact on tone but that’s not necessarily a benefit as it’s difficult to assess the impact and whether or not it’s desirable....if you are experienced they are not difficult to change strings on....they definitely put the tuner buttons in a more user friendly position....

...personally I like them on a 12 fret Martin designs....and classical nylon string guitars....

[llew]

Originally Posted by hairpuller

Definitely way easier to give blood.
Plus, they look cool.

scott

^^^What Scott said!^^^

[ljguitar]

It reestablishes the practice of blood letting…

On my Recording King ROS-626 (000-12 fret) I always have to remember to put the 1st and 6th strings on first because they duck under the other two.

That 1st string often nips the end of a finger…even when I pre-cut it.

That said, the looks are the only benefit.