#1
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Martin has all but abandoned the slotted headstock
I only own guitars with slotted headstocks. This is for no real reason other than it artificially limits the amount of guitars I can get gas over, and I really like the aesthetic. Recently I decided I really wanted a Martin so I sold my last paddle headstock guitar and ordered a 000-15SM. I noticed that Martin only seem to have 2 (3 if you count their classical) options in their current range, which was a surprise as I would have expected a lot more. Are slotted headstocks really that unpopular? Personally I don’t find them any harder or slower to work with.
Also I notice that some brands are adding slotted options, for instance my preferred affordable brand (Sigma AMI) have a growing number of nice looking options. Also I’m seriously contemplating taking a deep breath and asking my Martin dealer to cost a Martin custom shop CEO-7. Any idea if Martin would look at this? |
#2
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#3
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Wow, that’s a cool guitar.
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#4
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They both look great! I was tempted by a CEO7 years ago, but was actively looking for something else so didn’t get it. I have never seen the 12 string, but I’ll bet it sounds fantastic!
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#5
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Thanks. The 12-string is a custom. It sounds great . . . but very different from my other Martin 12-string guitars.
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#6
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Martin has all but abandoned the slotted headstock
__________________
Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird |
#7
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I've always wondered, do you find the slotted headstock guitars better for finger style, a la a classical guitar but with steel strings?
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#8
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One needs to have rocks in ones head to have a slotted headstock. Not only are they a royal pain for string changes, they're usually more expensive. That's why when I built a banjo, I abandoned the traditional paddle headstock and went with a slotted headstock - on a banjo no less!
But Dang, they look so nice! |
#9
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By the way, I'm sure Martin will be more than happy to build anything you're happy to pay for! But from a GAS perspective, you're headed down a slippery slope...
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#10
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Whenever you order a Custom Shop guitar, Martin will include or exclude any feature you want: on my Custom Shop 12 fret 00-21, for example, I got it with the solid headstock instead of the slotted headstock traditional to that model.
In terms of sheer numbers, I don’t think Martin sells a lot of slotted headstock instruments, or ever has. But they definitely have a loyal fan base. whm |
#11
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As a practical matter there is notion that the downward slant on the strings from the slotted design produces more pressure on the nut resulting in better tone and stronger sound.
I don't know if anyone has tested that but the only two slotted steel string guitars I have played were cannons - a 00 size and a 000 size. They were both 12 fret designs and one had a shorter scale length causing the bridge to be set lower in the body. I believe that combinations of those elements are generally accepted to produce superior tone and projection. Classical guitars have always had them. - Stevo |
#12
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That cracked me up. But I actually like slotted headstocks! |
#13
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I don’t understand the “slotted headstocks are a pain to string” that is so prevalent. I picked up a 000-15SM a few months ago (amazing guitar) and immediately took the strings off when I got it home and went to tackling this big deal of restringing it to get it out of the way. I had watched Silly Mustaches video on the process a couple of times the week before to familiarize myself with the process. 15 minutes later I was playing my guitar and wondering what the big deal is. I’m wondering if the people that keep saying how difficult it is have ever actually done it.
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#14
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I don't mind them, they do look nice but I was thinking of Wade and just having a little fun when I posted that picture.
__________________
Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird |
#15
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Quote:
PS: there is no mechanical reason a flat head can't have any desired headstock angle. PPS: to the OP: Martin is a giant company. Like all giant companies everywhere, it is run by bean-counters, and bean-counters hate anything that isn't the most popular thing (unless you can charge extra for it). A few people like slot heads, a lot of people dislike them, and the majority don't much care. To a bean-counter, that means make flat ones unless someone offers you extra money to do it a different way.
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Tacoma Thunderhawk baritone, spruce & maple. Maton SRS60C, cedar & Queensland Maple. Maton Messiah 808, spruce & rosewood. Cole Clark Angel 3, Huon Pine & silkwood. Cole Clark Fat Lady 2 12-string, Bunya & Blackwood. |