Another contender for worst ever headstock ....

axisus

OK, so it's a bass, but this headstock is just waaaay to weird for me ....

ICBM

Nah... I would not own it, or be seen dead playing it, but it's quite cool in its own way. It's the clash between the incredibly bland functional bit and the ridiculously over-the-top carved bit that make it amusing.

My contender for the worst ever headstock is still the same as it's always been... Tom Anderson. It simply has no style or any other redeeming features whatever.

sgosden

Does it come with a specialist weird shape case ?

DiscoStu

You know those TV shows about freaky bodies, and there's someone with a horn for a toe nail? Well, that.

stimpsonslostson

Gives me the horn. 

I’ll get me coat. 

I dislike James Tyler headstocks. 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5s3QbtwpC9Y/T_wN-k4XI0I/AAAAAAAACB8/IoYkfDAmMNU/s1600/James+Tyler+Headstock.jpg

Philly_Q

axisus said:

OK, so it's a bass, but this headstock is just waaaay to weird for me ....

What does the rest of the bass look like?

danishbacon

Philly_Q said:

axisus said:

OK, so it's a bass, but this headstock is just waaaay to weird for me ....

What does the rest of the bass look like?

DrBob

stimpsonslostson said:

Gives me the horn. 

I’ll get me coat. 

I dislike James Tyler headstocks. 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5s3QbtwpC9Y/T_wN-k4XI0I/AAAAAAAACB8/IoYkfDAmMNU/s1600/James+Tyler+Headstock.jpg

Whereas conversely that’s my favourite headstock design and especially the larger silhouette one that you’ve linked to there that he uses on the SE rather than the smaller one he uses on the Classic.

Mind you I prefer the larger CBS to pre CBS headstock on Strats so I’m guessing I’m probably in the minority 

Jalapeno

James Tyler one is a strong branding thing, not too keen on the aesthetic personally - but for brand recognition it's great

midlifecrisis

axisus said:

OK, so it's a bass, but this headstock is just waaaay to weird for me ....

definately have someones eye out with that

ICBM

DrBob said:

Whereas conversely that’s my favourite headstock design and especially the larger silhouette one that you’ve linked to there that he uses on the SE rather than the smaller one he uses on the Classic.

Mind you I prefer the larger CBS to pre CBS headstock on Strats so I’m guessing I’m probably in the minority 

I like it too - it's so 'computer age' or something. The repeating logo just sets it off perfectly too.

I also like the CBS Strat headstock - I wouldn't say more than the small one (although the small one must be the *correct* pre-CBS shape, any variations are awful however minor), but both have their place. I never used to like the big one as much until I realised that a certain tone that I associate with Hendrix and Blackmore comes from it - and I genuinely think that - it's subtle, but it's there.

InactiveX

That looks like a painful nodule that should be removed before it becomes harmful.

wesker123

Derek Smalls new direction? 

Cirrus

It'll always be Dean for me.

ICBM

I love the Dean headstock on Vs and Explorers - it's better than anything other than the original Gibson V head with the long tip. The blunted V ones are awful, and I've never liked the hockey stick on the Explorer - not to mention being even more break-prone than a standard Gibson.

daisie_guitar

axisus said:

OK, so it's a bass, but this headstock is just waaaay to weird for me ....

Are you sure that's on a bass and not on a Phin? 

ICBM

daisie_guitar said:

Are you sure that's on a bass and not on a Phin?

Despite the narrow neck - and remarkably wonky string spacing! - it does appear to be strung with bass strings... but it's clearly based on one.

scrumhalf

How much alcohol is required to get to the point where the answer to "what should the headstock look like" turns out to be... 

fields5069

I've been considering a new Wolfgang standard with the baked maple necks, rolled fingerboards, etc. But that bloody headstock!

Philly_Q

ICBM said:

I like it too - it's so 'computer age' or something. The repeating logo just sets it off perfectly too.

I also like the CBS Strat headstock - I wouldn't say more than the small one (although the small one must be the *correct* pre-CBS shape, any variations are awful however minor), but both have their place. I never used to like the big one as much until I realised that a certain tone that I associate with Hendrix and Blackmore comes from it - and I genuinely think that - it's subtle, but it's there.

And Robin Trower?  He has the big headstock on his signature model because he says it can't do any harm to have more wood there, although he doesn't claim it definitely makes a difference.  I'm also a fan of the big headstock (and bullet truss rod), all my favourite Strat players used late '60s and '70s models.  But I do like the pre-CBS head too.

(I also like the Tyler headstock, FWIW)

ICBM said:

I love the Dean headstock on Vs and Explorers - it's better than anything other than the original Gibson V head with the long tip. The blunted V ones are awful, and I've never liked the hockey stick on the Explorer - not to mention being even more break-prone than a standard Gibson.

I'm not crazy about the Dean headstock in its own right, but I think it looks fine on their guitars - especially the early '80s ones where they were a bit more ornate and traditional looking, less Metal.  Got to disagree about the hockey stick Explorer headstock though, I think it matches the body beautifully (can't comment on its breakability, that's your department).

simonhpieman

ICBM said:

DrBob said:

Whereas conversely that’s my favourite headstock design and especially the larger silhouette one that you’ve linked to there that he uses on the SE rather than the smaller one he uses on the Classic.

Mind you I prefer the larger CBS to pre CBS headstock on Strats so I’m guessing I’m probably in the minority 

I like it too - it's so 'computer age' or something. The repeating logo just sets it off perfectly too.

I also like the CBS Strat headstock - I wouldn't say more than the small one (although the small one must be the *correct* pre-CBS shape, any variations are awful however minor), but both have their place. I never used to like the big one as much until I realised that a certain tone that I associate with Hendrix and Blackmore comes from it - and I genuinely think that - it's subtle, but it's there.

I like the Tyler concept with all the text etc but the actual shape of the headstock is terrible.

I too am a fan of big Fender headstocks. Small ones look weird to me, although I'm a big offset fan and the majority of those have big headstocks.

Not to derail too much, but what does everyone think of the slightly anomalous Squier Venus headstock?

https://images.app.goo.gl/dD9nnopwFqQWYhs46