Strathead vs. Pointy

[surfreak]

In a previous post, I rambled with humorous intent about the obviously superior tonal qualities of a Strathead vs. a pointy headstock.

On second thought, maybe there is some truth. I mean, the Strat headstock shape and neck construction is objectively superior to the pointy, mainly because:

- 1-piece neck vs. 2-piece neck with headstock joint

- straight string pull vs. slanted string pull

This may not be of significance with a locking nut, but at least in theory there should be a difference in tone, although it may be not very noticeable.

Opinions?

[Lazar Gajic]

Re: Strathead vs. Pointy

I would take a reverse pointy 1 hum Charvel style Floyd guitar anyday over a strathead and as far as strength goes there is "NO" difference in fact the scarf joint would be just as strong due to grain orientation.

[sonicsamurai]

Re: Strathead vs. Pointy

- straight string pull vs. slanted string pull


actually as far as i'm aware slanted makes for better sustain...thats why the first jacksons were designed with pointies...its a design feature for better sound

[~K~]

Re: Strathead vs. Pointy

Welcome back Laz ..god to see ya ..

[dg]

Re: Strathead vs. Pointy

[ QUOTE ]
- straight string pull vs. slanted string pull


actually as far as i'm aware slanted makes for better sustain...thats why the first jacksons were designed with pointies...its a design feature for better sound

[/ QUOTE ]


I think you're referring to tilt-back headstocks having more downward pressure at the nut, and he was referring to the fact that on a strathead the tuning pegs line up straight with the string grooves, which can mean less chance of the strings binding during trem use or heavy bends. I agree, and I like my pointies to have locknuts for that reason. If I had a guitar w/ a v-trem, I'd want it to be a strathead.

[surfreak]

Re: Strathead vs. Pointy

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
- straight string pull vs. slanted string pull


actually as far as i'm aware slanted makes for better sustain...thats why the first jacksons were designed with pointies...its a design feature for better sound

[/ QUOTE ]


I think you're referring to tilt-back headstocks having more downward pressure at the nut, and he was referring to the fact that on a strathead the tuning pegs line up straight with the string grooves, which can mean less chance of the strings binding during trem use or heavy bends. I agree, and I like my pointies to have locknuts for that reason. If I had a guitar w/ a v-trem, I'd want it to be a strathead.

[/ QUOTE ]

Precisely.

[shreddermon]

Re: Strathead vs. Pointy

Less filling / great taste. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[shelby22]

Re: Strathead vs. Pointy

[ QUOTE ]
I would take a reverse pointy 1 hum Charvel style Floyd guitar anyday over a strathead and as far as strength goes there is "NO" difference in fact the scarf joint would be just as strong due to grain orientation.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't know about that....Most of the necks (excluding floyed ones) I see with cracks seem to be pointies.

[brent]

Re: Strathead vs. Pointy

I'm a strathead guy, and I believe that the neck is mostly responsible for a guitars acoustic tone, the body enhances that

I suppose you could make an argument for increased mass of a pointy contributing to better sound

As far as strength at the nut, the scarf joint may be stronger but due to the physics of that shape it has to be. It will be subject to more strain.
It's really no surprise you see more pointy's cracked, I'd bet pointy headstocks get banged into things at least twice as often as their counterparts and if one falls the leverage produced by the headstock angles pretty much guarantee breakage

[RR05xx]

Re: Strathead vs. Pointy

Only thing about the pointys that suck (unless you just do not like the appearance of course) is the reality that they can break either in transit or as a result of a fall a hell of a lot easier than a s-head. Also consider that if you floyd it with the rear mounted screws (which was done quite frequently back in the day), you will considerably weaken what may otherwise be a stable joint. Not to mention the dings that the pointy will take which will not really noticably affect an s-head.

[jhale667]

Re: Strathead vs. Pointy

I like 'em both... [img]/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[WoflieW]

I like the Stratheads, but then I'm an old fart, and I think we imprint on what we see most when we're young.

[cloudnine]

I like both. I have a pointy and I have a parts Strathead mutt on the go.

Stratheads are classy, pointies are kinda loud and cool.

And you can't deny the fact that you cant kill your enemies with a strathead.

[El_Kabong]

You guys are pathetic! I thought you were knowledgable. Everybody 'in the know' understands that all the sustain shoots right out of the tip of the pointy headstock and the ball end of the strathead forces the sustain to make a u-turn, adding more tone and sustain to the guitar. That's why pointies need higher output pick-ups to make up for this terrible deficiency in design.









(Out of all the new emo-cons, why is there not one for 'poster runs for cover and hides before everyone kicks his ass? )

[Soap]

The both have cosmetic appeal and deservingly so.

My take on this...
The strength of the neck is key, along side the body, for the overall sound.
Everything else, (type of pickup and bridge, frets and etc) just enhances and proves the value of the two (neck and body).

I believe and prefer (everybody will have their own evaluation) my necks to be one piece, instead of two or three pieces. Secondly, I prefer the same for my bodies. Need to be one piece. You may pay more but it proves itself a worthy investment. The sustain and tone characteristics from one piece necks and bodies definitely out weigh two and three piece bodies and necks. You need a decent amp to hear it. In other words, alittle 8inch small practice amp your not gonna hear the difference.

My preference...strat head or pointy?
Strat head will win every time.