Slot head pros and cons

[Mds53]

I really love the look of a "traditional" style guitar, and in particular the slot head style. I have an 1800`s J. Howard Foote parlor with a slot head, and a Larrivee 00-60 (spruce/ Indian rw), which is really pretty.

J. Howard Foote was a distributor, so I'm not sure who made the instrument, but it has a crack free top, and Brazilian back and sides with some minor cracks, so it is pretty well made.

Anyway, what are the pros and cons of the slot heads? I do know there are fewer good tuning machines available for these guitars, and hole spacing can be an issue.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[OldFrets]

I find them a bit of a pain to re-string; getting the string started around the shaft, at a good angle from the nut, takes more effort than a solid peghead. But it's not such a big deal that I've sworn off my slot-head Dobro or Ashborn.

[Mr. Jelly]

To me the stringing difference is the only difference. I have found that using an electric string winder solves the problem.

[ewalling]

Originally Posted by OldFrets

I find them a bit of a pain to re-string; getting the string started around the shaft, at a good angle from the nut, takes more effort than a solid peghead. But it's not such a big deal that I've sworn off my slot-head Dobro or Ashborn.

Yep, string changes are a relative pain in the beam, regardless of whatever techniques have been devised to make the task less onerous. I'm personally not interested in the 'traditional look' either.. A nice paddlehead can look just as attractive as any slothead, to my eyes.

The one area I do like and prefer slotheads is with nylon-string instruments,

[Wellington]

Maybe I'm looney but I've never found my slot head to be difficult to restring, it's different yes but I certainly don't find it a pain or that it even takes much longer.

[J Patrick]

….I like how much more ergonomic tuning is once the guitar is strung up….I also believe that the increased break angle over the nut adds some additional responsiveness and helps a player get a bit more with a lighter touch….cons??….perhaps not as sturdy as a solid headstock??…string changing has always been a non issue to me….

[ewalling]

Originally Posted by J Patrick

I also believe that the increased break angle over the nut adds some additional responsiveness and helps a player get a bit more with a lighter touch

Why do you believe that?

[min7b5]

I'll be the contrarian and say, that in addition to slotheads looking way better, they're much easier to re-string and tune. Assuming you're going to pre-cut the strings before re-stringing any guitar, a guitar that has the tuning buttons all facing the same direction is just easier. Same with tuning, all tuners are facing the player.

[J Patrick]

Originally Posted by ewalling

Why do you believe that?

…I mainly believe it because it’s what I have experienced….as to why I think I’ve experienced it ….I think a stronger break angle loads more tension on a saddle or nut and results in a snappier response that requires less force to set things in motion….as I stated I think it adds a”bit more” responsiveness…..and yes I believe that a specific solid headstock guitar might very well be more responsive than a specific slot head in the final tally depending on other factors…

[brad4d8]

Having played and changed strings on classical guitars for about 50 years, I was a little surprised at how much trouble I had on my first slothead string change. Second (and more) were much easier, no harder nor more time consuming than paddle head or classical.

[Skip Ellis]

And what could possibly be more gorgeous?

[jmjohnson]

Maybe its lack of practice changing the strings on my 000-15sm, but I know I have to try REAL hard to keep the slothead from taking a beating from the strings…and it still is in danger every time.

[Mak2525]

I just got my first slothead in 35 plus years of playing about 3 months ago, so I was a little apprehensive for my first string change. Quite honestly, I did not find it any more difficult than the 100's of string changes I have made over the years on solid pegheads. I watched "Silly Moustache's" tutorial, and it worked like a charm. An e-winder did seem to help more on the slothead, as it allowed me to concentrate on the string wrap instead of on winding. Plus, as noted above, they do look pretty cool!

[Brent Hahn]

On my slotted Martin 016NY, I've had two different sets of OEM tuners literally come unglued. There aren't a lot of other choices for slotted-head individual tuners, so I've now got a set of 2X3 Schaller tuners that are way too frou-frou for this otherwise-austere instrument, but they work. But I'm not happy about it.

[blindboyjimi]

Originally Posted by min7b5

I'll be the contrarian and say, that in addition to slotheads looking way better, they're much easier to re-string and tune. Assuming you're going to pre-cut the strings before re-stringing any guitar, a guitar that has the tuning buttons all facing the same direction is just easier. Same with tuning, all tuners are facing the player.

I completely agree on the restringing and tuning as I always pre-cut strings. I have 6 00/000-12 frets and 2 are open, and 4 are paddle heads. I don’t think there’s any difference in tone.