Strat headstocks

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Strat headstocks

Post by codedog »

Is it just me or are large Strat headstocks rarely seen around this forum? I have never actually picked up a Strat with the larger headstock. Do they weigh noticeably more? I don't like the large headstock shape at all, but that's purely the aesthetics.

What's the general opinion around the forum?

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Re: Strat headstocks

Post by AiRdAd »

Love the big headstock strat necks the most - purely for looks
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Re: Strat headstocks

Post by Single coil »

Needs the big logo or it’s a no go
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Re: Strat headstocks

Post by codedog »

AiRdAd wrote:Love the big headstock strat necks the most - purely for looks
Wow... fancy that. Do they weight much more? Does it affect the balance at all? I'm guessing not...

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Re: Strat headstocks

Post by KNNZ »

I also love the big headstock strats!

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Re: Strat headstocks

Post by philly »

big fan here
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Re: Strat headstocks

Post by Lawrence »

Ive always preferred the small headstocks...on anything. I seriously dislike the giant headstocks on some Gibsons and the D'Angelos and similar jazz guitars. I guess 30 years of owning a Steinberger will do that to ya!
Oh and I hated the rise of giant logos...on everything from Marshall amps, to Mesa, Fender, etc...at least Gibson didn't go big (actually there was the short-lived metal Gibson logo on some ...was it on Vs??)
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Re: Strat headstocks

Post by Molly »

I too prefer the big headstocks when they have the larger logo. Then again, I saw a Hendrix album cover the other day and he was playing one with the old logo so that makes it cool. ;-) I've a CS '66 Strat which I take to represent some sort of transition year. It is what it is I suppose. Less common so maybe more interesting for it.

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I read in a 'Strat Bible' magazine the other day that CBS used some lame excuse about the larger headstock reducing the chance of warping. That's got to be bullshit. It also said the big logo was more about TV exposure. Robin Trower claimed more sustain as a result of the larger headstock but I also think that that's a load of bollocks.

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Re: Strat headstocks

Post by WellyBlues »

I prefer the Fender headstocks over the Suhr and Page ones. If that helps.
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Re: Strat headstocks

Post by Danger Mouse »

Small headstock for me. I've played large headstock strats and there's not enough extra wood to affect balance.
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Re: Strat headstocks

Post by Molly »

And I think they look better still with a bit of age to them (and the absence of a signature).

These were both mine. The old one sounded great but weighed about 11lbs. The Malmsteen was a POS.

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Re: Strat headstocks

Post by Molly »

WellyBlues wrote:I prefer the Fender headstocks over the Suhr and Page ones. If that helps.
The Page is nicer than the Suhr I reckon but for elegance I don't think you can beat the pre-CBS one.

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Re: Strat headstocks

Post by willow13 »

I have both and I prefer the small headstock. The large one does not add any noticeable weight to the guitar and does not effect the balance
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Re: Strat headstocks

Post by jeremyb »

I think it's partly due to them traditionally being CBS era headstocks when the build quality was crap, original is the best to my eyes, looks more balanced with the neck width :)
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Re: Strat headstocks

Post by foal30 »

willow13 wrote:I have both and I prefer the small headstock. The large one does not add any noticeable weight to the guitar and does not effect the balance
Size doesn't matter
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