Replacing Tuning Buttons On Taylor Slothead Tuners

[Tammany Tiger]

Thanks very much. Jim ordered an SC 1929 OO for me last year and I was extremely disappointed in the tone. I love SC OMs but that smaller guitar just did not have it, at least to my ear.

Fortunately I was able to sell it for cash and a trade the I then sold and ended up a few dollars ahead.

I would like to play an SC OOO mahogany but just cannot find one. Also, that guitar is essentially the size of my GA.

I will end up keeping a Santa Cruz of some sort one day. This small guitar quest for me has just gotten out of hand. I never really wanted this much of a fuss.

Thanks for thinking of me.

[Tammany Tiger]

Thanks for these recent replies. This is actually an old thread and about ten days after I started it, Jim and I finalized an all mahogany GC 12 fret build.

There is a thread on UTGF that I started describing the guitar. It is entitled "Mahogany 12 Fret BTO On The Way."

[solosdad]

Tammany, Oddly enough, I have been looking for an 00 size and the one I like most for around $XX00 is at The Podium website and it is their custom Martin 0018v with an Engelmann top. They have a soundfile for it. In second place for around $XX00 is the standard Martin 0018v which Maurys Music on the web has. Also Wildwood Music on the web. Both Martin dealers.



edited for price

[michaelw]

Thanks for these recent replies. This is actually an old thread and about ten days after I started it, Jim and I finalized an all mahogany GC 12 fret build.

There is a thread on UTGF that I started describing the guitar. It is entitled "Mahogany 12 Fret BTO On The Way."

yep ... here it is
http://www.unofficialtaylorguitarforum.com/index.php?topic=1047.0

in terms of slotted vs solid headstock, the differences i see are mass & position of the tuner posts -
the slotted headstock will have less mass than a solid headstock, combined with open-back tuners &
non-metal (i. e. ivoroid) buttons vs enclosed tuners (Taylor or Gotoh) with either non-metal or metal
buttons (Grover rotomatics are heavier still) & perhaps to compensate (?) for the reduction in mass,
the lower position of the tuner posts permit a greater break angle of the strings over the saddle,
similar to how a pin bridge has a lower anchor point for the string ends than a pinless bridge

the strings seem  to be pulled down at a more exaggerated angle across the nut with a slotted
headstock, granted the winds on the tuner posts on a solid headstock bring the string termination
below the nut, but it is above the level of the headstock, rather than being in the middle (slotted)

the NT neck is designed so that the saddle can be set at height that allows a strong break angle &
the neck pitch & fretboard height are adjustable in relation to the bridge to set the desired action -
there are times when lowering the saddle height may still be desirable, even with the optimum
shim set installed, but that would be completely dependent on a player's personal preference

from what i can determine, the playability (slotted vs solid headstock) should  be the same, provided
the action at the nut, neck relief, saddle height, action, scale length, string type & gauge are identical -
nut material & string coating (if coated strings are used) may result in less friction, which may allow for
easier string bending, but provided the slots are cut properly & there is no binding ('pinging' while tuning),
'identical' guitars, save for slotted or solid headstock, should pretty much play 'identically', or be very close

the next time i'm at my local music store i'll try to compare a 612ce to a XXX-MS to compare headstock
angles (i've heard that some slotted headstock angles are not set 'as far back' as solid ones & to see
if there seems to be a discernable difference in playability, but seeing as you have already chosen the
slotted headstock on your BTO, this would be more for me to satisfy my own personal curiousity ...

play on

[Steve]

The BTO spec sheets for the 12 fret do list a choice of slotted or standard peghead.Can someone explain to me why the increased break angle improves playability? I have always heard that the break angle increases string tension to help the slot head tuners stay in tune better. One of the playability advantages of short scale guitars is relaxed string tension so aren't we going backwards a bit? [/font][/size][/color]

It doesn't "improve" playability. It simply makes it "different".

Whether or not it's "improved" depends entirely on the player...

[Tammany Tiger]

The BTO spec sheets for the 12 fret do list a choice of slotted or standard peghead.Can someone explain to me why the increased break angle improves playability? I have always heard that the break angle increases string tension to help the slot head tuners stay in tune better. One of the playability advantages of short scale guitars is relaxed string tension so aren't we going backwards a bit? [/font][/size][/color]

It doesn't "improve" playability. It simply makes it "different".

Whether or not it's "improved" depends entirely on the player...

How is the playability different though?

I'll be honest, I can't tell much difference but I have heard a dozen times now that the slotted headstock improves or changes playability.