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Post by billyguitar on May 14, 2006 9:43:54 GMT -7
Occasionally over the years I've seen where someone is using Tele or Strat type guitars with the headstock reversed. What's the point? Does it change the tension of the high and low strings? Does anybody know the theory and has anyone heard any statistics regarding string tension etc..
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Post by rcrecelius on May 15, 2006 4:52:18 GMT -7
Some people may like the look but I'd bet most were trying to get closer to Jimi's tone since he played a righty upside down...heck even SRV put a left handed trem on his #1.
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Post by John on May 15, 2006 5:55:38 GMT -7
I read the main reason for that, is that the player doesn't have to move his hand to the other side of the neck to tune. This would come in handy in the middle of a song.
However Billyguitar, I think you and I have been playing so long, we're just used to the tuning machines up top.
And to me, the reversed headstock will forever reek of crappy 80's hair metal bands. Especially Krammer guitars.
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2006 11:16:36 GMT -7
It will affect String tension especially on your lower strings due to the increased string length. Having played strats set up that way I can say there is a difference in feel, whether there is a difference in tone I think that is debatable. I think what ever makes a player happy is cool.
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Post by billyguitar on May 15, 2006 11:32:47 GMT -7
Epiphone had a tailpiece called the Frequensator that let the strings be longer on the bass side. I have a couple of Epiphones (a '48 Blonde Deluxe Zephyr and a sunburst 1951 Triumph) that have that tailpiece and I don't notice any noticeable extra tension on the longer strings. Reportedly that tailpiece was for extra tension on the three lower strings and different harmonics. There aren't really statistics anywhere that I can find that empirically show a difference. My favorite, most comfortable tuner setup is the old Reverse Firebird with banjo tuners. The one I had was a little neck heavy but they might all be. I sold it back in the early 70s because the little humbuckings squealed and I resisted the temptation to route it for full size humbuckings.
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Post by skydog958 on May 20, 2006 21:17:01 GMT -7
I do own an old reverse 'bird like billyguitar described. It does feel different, but its hard to compare to others since all my other guitars have 3/3 style headstocks. Mine isn't very neck heavy because the keys on the tuners are white plastic instead of metal, which saves weight.
I do love the look of the reverse headstock (not to mention the body!). Those '64 transition Firebirds with the reverse body and non-reverse headstock look funny in my opinion, but it would be cool to compare the two. I bet those are worth a fortune though!
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Post by billyguitar on May 21, 2006 9:48:45 GMT -7
Worth a fortune is right, but to who? The whole vintage market is just out of control. There are those who predict a crash but I doubt it. I've got probably over $50K worth of vintage guitars and amps but I've only paid the going price at the time of purchase, for very few of the items. I like Duke Robillard's attitude of using the instruments that you want but a new copy is fine for him. He uses new Epiphones and other new stuff to great effect.
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Post by skydog958 on May 21, 2006 11:37:25 GMT -7
Worth a fortune is right, but to who? The whole vintage market is just out of control. There are those who predict a crash but I doubt it. I've got probably over $50K worth of vintage guitars and amps but I've only paid the going price at the time of purchase, for very few of the items. I like Duke Robillard's attitude of using the instruments that you want but a new copy is fine for him. He uses new Epiphones and other new stuff to great effect. +1 karma for you, billyguitar. The vintage market is just nuts. I was talking to Bob Pieper at One Flight Up guitars the other day (the local vintage gear dealer) and he was telling me all the prices went up this year when they refigured the values. He has this all original '67 P bass in custom ordered Olympic White with a matching peghead, and he bought it for $2200 about 5 years ago. Now it's worth $7000. And to think how archaic some of the technology was back then. I hate the idea of collecting guitars, because they were made to be played. Put the instruments back into the hands of the musicians! I dig vintege gear, but there is a point where you could just buy a handmade instrument for a better price that will play just as well. Although even that is tough--the prices for the Gibson Custom Shop are rediculous too. Someday I'll get a local luthier to copy my 'bird, for fear of damage or theft.
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