Does Yer Headstock Rock?

[dub_junkie]

one I’ve grown to like

 

Edited June 16, 2022 by dub_junkie

[40hz]

I don't think this can be beaten. I absolutely *LOVE* the Wal paddle headstock.

[miles'tone]

On 15/06/2022 at 03:56, HippieNerd said:

As a kid in 1975 at the rock show at Opryland amusement park, I saw a tall and gangly skinny dude with a big white-dude fro. They opened with The Doobie Brother's "Listen to the Music."  Guy was playing a Fender P, and I'd never heard anyone play one before, and it set me on fire.  In his thin hands, that bass looked huge, and the headstock was massive looking to me. I'd only ever been able to see a few basses close up (different times).  

 

That headstock did me in.  The scroll and those tuners stuck out.  That bass rumbled.  

 

I am verrrry choosy about headstocks.  I'd might have bought several basses but for their headstocks.  Washburns are likely excellent guitars, but the headstocks on their electric guitars and basses---I just can't, and it's only my tastes, not anything wrong with those guitars.  

 

I am fond of the headstocks on Fender, G&L, Gibson, Rickenbacker, and Alembic. I like the pointy headstocks of Ibanez, or the paddles of Gretsch.  But why do I balk at the headstocks on Wals, which are better built than most of mine?  BITE basses might be good, but great gus, I can't stand a paddle on a Fender type bass.

 

I'm also an older guy whose tastes were molded in the 60s and 70s.  

I'm with you there, although I love the older large Wal headstock because I cut my bass teeth in the early 90s watching Flea hammering one in the Funky Monks film on infinite repeat!

The Epi Jack Casady also rocks but the one that looks and feels the best, to me, is the 60s Fender P. 

(I've apparently got plenty of viking DNA in me though so, y'know...🪓😄)

[Rich]

9 hours ago, 40hz said:

I don't think this can be beaten. I absolutely *LOVE* the Wal paddle headstock.

 

100%. See my earlier comment re: simple functionality.

Of course, it does help that it's attached to a Wal bass  

[Rich]

Having said that I like simple functionality, this (when combined with one of their lovely hollow-body guitars) is my favourite headstock of all. I love art deco style and this to me is a thing of beauty. My mate has one of their exquisite jazz guitars and it is probably the most beautiful instrument of any type that I have ever seen.

[neepheid]

What surprises me about this thread is that it took until page 2 for someone to have a moan about the G&L headstock

 

[Chienmortbb]

On 15/06/2022 at 11:13, Rich said:

I've always loved the cool, functional simplicity of the Aria/Westone headstock. I definitely prefer 2+2 or 3+2 to 4 inline. 

My Thunder 1A is probably the only bass I really regret selling.

[Chienmortbb]

17 minutes ago, neepheid said:

What surprises me about this thread is that it took until page 2 for someone to have a moan about the G&L headstock

 

I could understand it if the extra bit was on the top.

[Chienmortbb]

On 16/06/2022 at 08:24, Woodinblack said:

middle strings veer off after the bridge (same as gibson les paul headstocks)

That is what some people think is the cause of Les Pauls going out of tune

[neepheid]

6 minutes ago, Chienmortbb said:

I could understand it if the extra bit was on the top.

 

Surely it should be on the end for poking errant guitarists in the ribs?

[ChWillie]

13 hours ago, 40hz said:

I don't think this can be beaten. I absolutely *LOVE* the Wal paddle headstock.

It is a good looking headstock. Maybe if I ever saw a Wal close-up, It'd look different to me.  Love Wal basses. Wish I could find one to try out.

[P-Belly Evans]

No Thunderbird yet??

 

[Guest]

This one works 

 

 

I also enjoy Fender headstocks despite hating them in the 80s. Older Peavey headstocks are also pretty good. 

[40hz]

1 hour ago, P-Belly Evans said:

No Thunderbird yet??

 

This is probably my second favourite headstock. I heard it referred to as Aladdin's shoe once, and now can't unsee it!

[skankdelvar]

On 16/06/2022 at 08:24, Woodinblack said:

 

...when the middle strings veer off after the bridge (same as gibson les paul headstocks) - I like the string to visually continue straight.

 

9 hours ago, Chienmortbb said:

That is what some people think is the cause of Les Pauls going out of tune

 

A problem elegantly (?) solved by Messrs Shergold

 

Nice! Mr Rutherford's twin neck brimming with string guides

[BigRedX]

38 minutes ago, skankdelvar said:

A problem elegantly (?) solved by Messrs Shergold

 

Nice! Mr Rutherford's twin neck brimming with string guides

 

Unless those are frictionless bearings that solution is probably worse then a well cut graphite nut.

[skankdelvar]

24 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

 

Unless those are frictionless bearings that solution is probably worse then a well cut graphite nut.

 

Yes, it probably is.

[Badscrew]

Frictionfull

[Stub Mandrel]

23 hours ago, 40hz said:

I don't think this can be beaten. I absolutely *LOVE* the Wal paddle headstock.

 

[Rich]

5 hours ago, skankdelvar said:

 

 

A problem elegantly (?) solved by Messrs Shergold

 

Nice! Mr Rutherford's twin neck brimming with string guides

I see that and raise you...

 

Edited June 17, 2022 by Rich

[ChWillie]

50 minutes ago, Rich said:

I see that and raise you...

 

Very very cool

[Doctor J]

If you mean cool as in it should be dropped in the Antarctic, never to be seen again, then I'm with you entirely 😁

[tegs07]

16 hours ago, Moving Pictures said:

This one works 

 

 

I also enjoy Fender headstocks despite hating them in the 80s. Older Peavey headstocks are also pretty good. 

Which came first?

[Shaggy]

See also: https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/248557-show-us-yer-headstocks/#comment-2595574

 

My personal favourites - 

 

[Rich]

13 hours ago, Rich said:

I see that and raise you...

 

 

12 hours ago, HippieNerd said:

Very very cool

 

5 hours ago, Doctor J said:

If you mean cool as in it should be dropped in the Antarctic, never to be seen again, then I'm with you entirely 😁

That would be my interpretation too. 😁