Do reverse headstocks affect tuning stability?

PolarityMan · September 2023

On my harley benton 7 string its a bloody long way for the bottom string to go between the nut and the tuner, im wondering if that could explain why I struggle with tuning stability when tuned down to G.

Any thoughts?

Funkfingers · September 2023

Nut slots.

Insufficient string tension.
Snagging string guide (if present).
Cheap machineheads.
Cheap vibrato system (if present).

Flotsam · September 2023

No, reverse headstock will not be the issue; headstock angle might be but I’d start by running through all the usual troubleshooting steps, starting with the nut slot.

jeromegreenday · September 2023

You may want to look at heavier gauge strings for drop tunings? drop G tuning has all the strings pulling an equal amount of tension (Not one string is pulling more than it usually would) so it's not the tuning doing it, I'd say Funkfingers post is where to start.

ICBM · September 2023

It won't help - all things being equal, the longer lengths on the wound strings will cause more trouble than when they're on the plain strings - but probably isn't the main issue, which is likely to be snagging at the nut or the string trees. G is very low too, unless you're using monster string gauges - and have cut the nut grooves correctly for them.

PolarityMan · September 2023

The low string is a .64, which tbh makes the other strings a little lighter than I would prefer for the other strings (D standard) but I think the tension is sufficient. The same string set on my evertune (should prob post a NGD about that) predictably doesnt have the same issue and neither does the same gauges on my singer's schecter.

I haven't filed the nut but it seems ok, Doesn't seem to be binding in the nut.

CavemanGrogg · September 2023

Funkfingers said:

Nut slots.
Insufficient string tension.
Snagging string guide (if present).
Cheap machineheads.
Cheap vibrato system (if present).

He's talking about a Harley Benton here, it's most likely everything you mentioned and a hell of a lot more yet to be discovered.

For what it's worth if given the choice between 2 guitars identical in every way barr the headstock, one reversed the other non reversed. I'll always pick the reversed headstock, and not for looks, but for string tension, I find reversed headstock guitars to have more even string tension.

sweepy · September 2023

the hassle i have with reverse headstocks is that the relative string tension always feels wrong,

PolarityMan · September 2023

CavemanGrogg said:

Funkfingers said:

Nut slots.
Insufficient string tension.
Snagging string guide (if present).
Cheap machineheads.
Cheap vibrato system (if present).

He's talking about a Harley Benton here, it's most likely everything you mentioned and a hell of a lot more yet to be discovered.

For what it's worth if given the choice between 2 guitars identical in every way barr the headstock, one reversed the other non reversed. I'll always pick the reversed headstock, and not for looks, but for string tension, I find reversed headstock guitars to have more even string tension.

It's from their more expensive range, real EMGs etc so in other respects its a fairly decent mid range instrument. Oee of these:

https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_amarok_7_egnt_quilted_burst.htm

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Become a Subscriber!

Do reverse headstocks affect tuning stability?

Comments