Headstock angle

[Anthony Kreher Kreher Guitars]

I don’t Know if it’s so much “tonal, as it is break angle for the strings. There’s awhile mess of theory you can get Into here. With straight string pull, angled string pull, string length beyond the nut, slab headstocks, string trees, etc. but essentially, it’s important the same way as break angle at the bridge is. Helps prevent buzz in the nut slot and effects string feel.

[Giuliano Nicoletti]

Hello!

I would say that between 10 and 15deg of headstock angle there won’t be any tonal difference. But as Anthony pointed out, with a different break-up angle you will change the orthogonal force exerted on the nut, therefore :

– the feeling of the string stiffness

– the smoothness of tuning

– the tendency to rub&buzz on the fret slots

I never made a direct comparison or an experimental check of this parameter, to assess the actual difference and impact. I use a 14deg angle on acoustic guitars, little less for classical one, and I am satisfied with the results. I cannot see how one could use this parameter to tweak the performances of a guitar, but I can be wrong on this one…

Cheers,

Giuliano