Headstock Mass - heavier or lighter?

[Rmansh]

some say adding more mass increases sustain while some say lesser improves clarity. Fat finger according to Satch works. could this be the reason why kossof, page, clapton switched from stock kluson tuners to heavier grovers?

i have tried  large fender headstock vs a smaller one but  didn't notice any difference (or i may be deaf)




but Ol greg have a different take on the topic

Mass absorbs vibration until it can vibrate.  That has an effect of "tone".

I removed the Grovers on my rist Workhorse and put TonePros Klusons on.  Big improvement in response, sustain and hang.

I have always supported the idea of lighter tuners.  I feel that the heavier Grovers and Schallers reduce harmonics and overtones.

Feel free to tell me that I know nothing about this, but be prepared to be told that I have worked on thousands of guitars.

[free2rock]

some say adding more mass increases sustain while some say lesser improves clarity. Fat finger according to Satch works. could this be the reason why kossov, page, clapton switched from stock kluson tuners to heavier grovers?

i have tried  large fender headstock vs a smaller one but  didn't notice any difference (or i may be deaf)

That IS the popular theory. Which is true at some point--but it doesn't account the wood density and multitudes of other properties of each neck has, design of the metal parts and coupling, and (most especially) what you are trying to achieve tonally.

It's hard to A-B two necks because wood is a very inconsistent material to test sonic properties on.

Here's an idea, get a cheap guitar with a 70's headstock, record clips, then reshape the headstock to a 60's shape the re-record. Easy peasy?

[gainsucker]

some say adding more mass increases sustain while some say lesser improves clarity. Fat finger according to Satch works. could this be the reason why kossof, page, clapton switched from stock kluson tuners to heavier grovers?

i have tried  large fender headstock vs a smaller one but  didn't notice any difference (or i may be deaf)

bigger = fatter tone
smaller = thinner

though sa headstock, halos di mo na maririnig ang difference.

[stringman]

I like the large headstock because of how it looks he he he......

[free2rock]

I love Greg Platzer and his generosity with info! His ask-Greg thread is one of the first things I look at when logging in to MLP. He influenced my love for TV Yellow Juniors. His store sometimes sells vintage juniors cheap! Kaso wala naman akong pera. Hahahaha!

[Freak]

I've tried using mockingbirds and MLs... i hate using heavy headstocks for they make my shoulder ache and the guitar falls off automatically on my left side 

[free2rock]

I've tried using mockingbirds and MLs... i hate using heavy headstocks for they make my shoulder ache and the guitar falls off automatically on my left side 

Leather straps helps prevent neckdives. Ehem! Ehem!

[teleclem]

I do hate neck dives.. haha

Well, you can set up an A/B test for the heavier headstock (stock vs stock + added mass). But it would be hard to test it for the lighter headstock condition without shaving off the stock headstock.