Visual Appearances of Headstocks

[AdvenJack]

I must say that every time I see a Guild Artist Award Headstock,
I think to myself that it's my favorite shape. I'm referring to it's out-
ter edge, as inlay work is a separate matter again. Do you all have
a favorite headstock shape?

[neatomic]

og d'angelico



cheers

[deacon Mark]

My guess is they took the inspiration here but different. Guild guitars very good ones for sure.

[Cunamara]

Oh, yeah, I have strong feelings about a lot of headstock shapes. The three mentioned above I like, as well as the classic Gibson open book shape. Jimmy D'Aquisto's later modernist headstocks were also really interesting and the simplified aesthetic of those instruments overall really appealed to me.

I like the Fender Telecaster shape a lot. The simplicity of the Martin headstock also appeals to me; along those lines, the headstock on Peter Bernstein's Zeidler is also something I like: it's simple and yet has an unfussy boldness to it. Geez, I sound like a wine snob. Well, why the hell not? I guess I'm a headstock snob! I also like Rick Turner's headstock that is all straight lines on the Model 1 and the Renaissance instruments.

There are a lot of boutique jazz guitarist who is headstock shapes I don't care for; chief among those is Heritage and Paul Reed Smith.

[ThatRhythmMan]

I like all of those so far, especially D’Angelicos. This is another favorite.

[Stringswinger]

For me D'Angelico, Gibson, Guild and Epiphone headstocks (in that order) all work as functional art. I like Fender and Martin headstocks for their simplicity and utility.

[wintermoon]

and classic understated

[Donplaysguitar]

[Donplaysguitar]

[Donplaysguitar]

[Donplaysguitar]

There are some crazy Gibson ones out there on Pinterist but I don't want to pay them. I agree with the Guild and especially D'Angelico.

[Donplaysguitar]

[Hammertone]

A little palate cleanser is in order at this point.

[neatomic]

^ hah, hammertone...and here i was expectin'




cheers

ps- perhaps the absinthe of headstocks!

[paul s.]

Heritage of course

[ThatRhythmMan]

While we are at it, let’s not forget this one!

[Danny W.]

Danny W.

[AdvenJack]

I appreciate everyone's responses and pictures!
A fun thread we've got here!

[rpjazzguitar]

Works of art all.

I have a special place in my heart for the New Yorker with the finial.

[wintermoon]

below; purple heart overlay, non engraved parts....





I remember John Zeidler conceiving and executing this design, one of only a few guitars he made w/this tortoise overlay and ornate hand engraved tuners, his top of the line Jazz Deluxe Special [see top pics]. I couldn't believe how incredible a guitar it was when he invited me over to check out and play the finished product [though I shouldn't have been surprised, a close friend for many yrs] he also made 3 or 4 like this with purple heart overlay w/out the engraved tuners [same guitar w out the bling, like those best, John did too, as in pic above, still have mine]. Specials had extensive engraved parts front to back on every surface including tailpiece, tuner mounting plates, he even made the custom matching tortoise nipples on the tips of the tuners as well as the tips of the shafts [looks like the G nipple on this one got knocked off, hah]
there's much more than the photos show, do yourself a favor and blow up the pics, the detail is beyond incredible, even the tops of all the screws are engraved, not to mention he custom made the string posts that protrude in equal length from the front of the headstock to compensate for his tapered thickness peghead and engraved the tops of the shafts [look closely!] just brilliant attention to detail.
His hand cut and engraved pearl headstock banner inlay is still the finest I've seen to this day, you just can't tell the detail from these pics. speaking of which, if ya squint, you might see the ultra thin multiply binding, more precise than you've ever imagined, whew, he was a true master builder!

[Hammertone]

^ hah, hammertone...and here i was expectin'

cheers
ps- perhaps the absinthe of headstocks!

Back to the whipped cream! More like this one.

[339 in june]

Someone (sarcastically ?) mentionned it
I have to show it
The only one that might be prettier is the same with an eagle !

Period.

[medblues]

[Tom Karol]

Well, not a guitar - it's my KoAloha KTM-25 Tenor Ukulele - but what a cool headstock!

[Woody Sound]

Heritage of course

Uh-oh, here we go again....