Slotted Headstocks

rclifford13 · Mar 20, 2009

Hey,
Just wondering if anyone else has fallen in love with slotted headstocks like the one on Jake's uke, or on James Hill's Signature Model (below). I would love to order a custom ukulele with a slotted headstock if they weren't $300 extra!

This 5 string Glyph slotted headstock is insane!

GX9901 · Mar 20, 2009

Slotted headstocks are popular around here. I love them.
I think most custom builders charge around $150 for slot heads (William King and Glyph is right in that area).

I went with a Jake-style flattop slotted headstock when I ordered my King tenor:

Paul December · Mar 20, 2009

I don't understand why they would cost anything more....and definitely not a $150 option. From a woodworking perspective, it must be the least sophisticated part of constructing a uke.
I did an internet search of "cheap classical guitar" and found dozens of sub $100 instruments all with slotted headstocks. Doesn't seem like a big deal at all in guitars.

GX9901 · Mar 20, 2009

From what Dave Means of Glyph told me, slotted headstock takes 1-1.5 days of additional labor compared to a normal headstock and Waverly tuners costs about $140 for a set of 6 (they are mainly used on guitars). Obviously, a chinese factory made slotted headstock ukulele will cost far less (the 6 & 8-string tenors by Lanikai & Kala are in the $200 range), but $150 or so is about the going rate from many custom builders (except for Ko'olau, which charges $250, not including Waverly tuners).

GX9901 · Mar 20, 2009

A few journal entries from William King on slotted headstock construction:

http://www.chantus.com/journal/index.php?/archives/388-Slotted-headstock.html

http://www.chantus.com/journal/index.php?/archives/395-Mortice-ramps.html

Paul December · Mar 20, 2009

GX9901 said:
From what Dave Means of Glyph told me, slotted headstock takes 1-1.5 days of additional labor compared to a normal headstock and Waverly tuners costs about $140 for a set of 6 (they are mainly used on guitars). Obviously, a chinese factory made slotted headstock ukulele will cost far less (the 6 & 8-string tenors by Lanikai & Kala are in the $200 range), but $150 or so is about the going rate from many custom builders (except for Ko'olau, which charges $250, not including Waverly tuners).

I completely understand *if* the tuners themselves cost that much more ... but a day to day-and-a-half to cut a couple slots?! That's difficult to believe. I'm a hack woodworker and could do a decent job in less than an hour.
I'll give the pros the benefit-of-doubt and assume I'm just missing something.

Paul December · Mar 20, 2009

GX9901 said:
A few journal entries from William King on slotted headstock construction:

http://www.chantus.com/journal/index.php?/archives/388-Slotted-headstock.html

http://www.chantus.com/journal/index.php?/archives/395-Mortice-ramps.html

Hmmmmm..... that's how if figured it's done. Two holes, then connect them.
It does require a bit more finishing, but that would be done at the same time as the rest of the headstock (outer edges)

tiki_ink · Mar 20, 2009

I am totally in love with slotted headstocks. They make the uke look very unique. I don't have one yet....But, when I get my custom uke made someday it will definitely have a slotted headstock.

Ahnko Honu · Mar 20, 2009

I think the Flea Market Music charges $150 for their slotted headstock on their FLEA but the uke itself costs only $17.

I dream of a pineapple Flea.

deach · Mar 20, 2009

Paul December said:
.....
I did an internet search of "cheap classical guitar" and found dozens of sub $100 instruments all with slotted headstocks. Doesn't seem like a big deal at all in guitars.

I guess this is why I think of them as NOT such a big deal. So many cheapy guitars have them. I like the design of Koaloha's and Ogata's headstocks.

wearymicrobe · Mar 20, 2009

I love open headstocks, mainly because I played classical before the uke. I think mine was like 400$+ due to the inlay and the wood selection.

Jimmy · Mar 20, 2009

They look cool and I dig them but I wouldn't pay extra for it. That's what I say.

ke leo · Mar 21, 2009

I've been told by someone at Taylor that the slotted headstock provides greater tension which produces a different feel and tone....so I've been told...

Paul December · Mar 21, 2009

ke leo said:
I've been told by someone at Taylor that the slotted headstock provides greater tension which produces a different feel and tone....so I've been told...

I would assume tension is solely the product of the strings. Any similarly sized uke with the same strings would require the same tension to have the same tuning.

GX9901 · Mar 21, 2009

ke leo said:
I've been told by someone at Taylor that the slotted headstock provides greater tension which produces a different feel and tone....so I've been told...

I just got a copy of Taylor's newsletter/catalog "Wood & Steel". In it, they do mention that slotted headstock increases the break angle of the string over the nut, resulting a quicker attack and a little less sustain in addition to having a lighter headstock (since headstock thickness between slotted & non-slotted is about the same in guitars).

I think in ukes, the break angle is of negligible effect and the slot head actually makes the headstock slightly heavier since regular ukulele headstocks are usually thinner.

Slotted Headstocks

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