Guitar Headstock Types Explained
The most-played or most-popular musical instrument that everyone knows about is the guitar. They come in many different types, shapes, and designs. However, when it comes to basic guitar anatomy, some parts are an absolute must in all kinds of guitars. Some of these parts include the body, neck, and of course, the headstock.
One of the most overlooked guitar parts happens to be the headstock. The guitar’s “head” holds many major upper components, including the tuners and the brand logo. First-time buyers are more interested in what the headstock holds than the headstock itself. However, any guitar enthusiast or expert can confirm that choosing the right type of headstock when investing in a guitar (whether acoustic or electric) is a critical decision and should not be taken lightly.
Thus, to ensure you can select the right headstock, some common guitar headstock types that all first-time buyers need to know about are jotted down below in detail. So, let’s begin this guide!
ABOUT GUITAR HEADSTOCK
The topmost section of a standard guitar (considered vertically) is called the headstock and it houses the tuning pegs or machine heads responsible for holding the guitar strings in place. The different major guitar components that are placed in this section are the following:
1. Headstock Head
2. Trust Road
3. Machine Heads/Tuners/Tuning Pegs
4. Nut
As the strings will be attached to this section, their type and shape will impact how the guitar will sound. So, to ensure you can produce the sound you want, take into consideration the type you are going for.
TOP 7 POPULAR GUITAR HEADSTOCK TYPES
Once you really understand all the parts of a standard guitar, you will see that there are many different types of guitar headstock; each with its own set of pros and cons. If you jump into such a vast pool of information now, things will be complicated and overwhelming. Hence, next are some common headstock types that all guitar players (amateur and professional) should know about.
GUITAR HEADSTOCK TYPE #1: STRAIGHT/FLAT
You can guess from its name, the headstock will not be angled in any section. It was created during the 1950s in a quest to produce a headstock that is effective yet cost-effective and supports minimum wood wastage. It is the most common type that is easily recognizable.
PRO:
Low-costing, simple design that is more resilient than most types available
CON:
Tuning may feel less stable for beginners when using this type of guitar headstock
GUITAR HEADSTOCK TYPE #2: SCARF
What separates this type from others is the fact that scarf headstocks are usually made with two pieces of wood rather than a single piece (common in most types). Imagine a straight piece of wood cut at an angle. Now flip the first piece of wood and attach it to the straight piece of wood. This is how the scarf headstock type is made. The angled wood can be attached by flipping the second piece of wood to create a similar design. The created angled joint is done between the neck and the headstock.
PRO:
Provides elevated string stability and happens to be a reliable design
CON:
High-quality scarf-type headstocks are expensive
GUITAR HEADSTOCK TYPE #3: TILTED-BACK/ANGLED
In this type, you will notice a pronounced angle that will be connected with the guitar’s neck section located right below the headstock. The angled look of this type is produced in a whole or single piece of wood, meaning it requires no cutting of wood like in the case of the scarf type.
PRO:
The guitar strings will stay in place better because of the design
CON:
The production style makes guitars with tilted-back headstocks expensive
GUITAR HEADSTOCK TYPE #4: REVERSED
If the guitar headstock looks inverted or flipped to you, then it must be a reverse-type headstock. Here the tuners will face downwards rather than upwards (common in the other types). The guitar parts will be placed underneath the guitar section/part.
PRO:
Unique-looking design that makes bending lower strings easier
CON:
Beginner struggle to bend higher strings when dealing with this design
GUITAR HEADSTOCK TYPE #5: FLAMENCO-STYLE/CLASSICAL
This type also goes by the name of slotted headstocks. Just imagine the headstock of a traditional ukulele. Here each guitar string will be threaded through the slots present and then secured tightly in place using a specialized knot or tying technique.
PRO:
Provides an aesthetic vibe with added durability and control
CON:
Beginners find this design harder to restring
GUITAR HEADSTOCK TYPE #6: STANDARD (ACOUSTIC)
One of the most common types of guitar used by most beginners is the acoustic guitar. They come in many different types, styles, and designs. The type of headstock seen in all standard acoustic guitars is another headstock type you need to be familiar with. In most cases, this type of headstock will be angled at the same angle as the neck. It is also known as Solid headstock which is usually accompanied by a horizontal nut through which the guitar strings will pass. Here the tuners will be equally distributed (3 on each side of the headstock) and placed on both sides of the guitar headstock.
PRO:
Due to its design, this headstock can offer optimal string tension and stability
CON:
The design is simple and very common
GUITAR HEADSTOCK TYPE #7: HEADLESS
Technically, this type is missing the main subject of this guide – the headstock. You will find many major brands selling a design that does not follow the traditional “guitars with headstock” design. However, you should not overlook them as some amazing headless guitars are available for beginners at different price ranges. In the case of this design, most parts placed on the headstock traditionally will be placed/constructed inside the guitar’s body. Changing strings can be more easy and quick in this type.
PRO:
Lighter in weight due to its design and reduces the complexity of using guitars for beginners in some cases
CON:
It cannot be re-tuned in the middle of a performance
Besides these 7 mentioned here, other guitar headstock types are available as well. You can even find a type that is a combination/hybrid of 2 popular types. So, do look into this topic in more detail to check out the other types as well.
TO CONCLUDE
There you go; this was a guide explaining the common guitar headstock types that all guitar players and enthusiasts should know about. With the information shared above, choosing the right headstock for you will become an easier task. Thus, it is highly advisable that you know more about guitar anatomy for a better understanding.