To Volute ,or Not Volute

[oz tradie]

Hi ya all,

Just a question regarding the use of volutes.

I notice there are some guitars with and some without and it leaves me

wondering exactly what the reason for a volute is.

Is it strength-related for the headstock or just comfort ?

And if it is strength, when is it applicable ?

The placement of the volute, obviously is behind the nut. I'm just curious where you tend to

place them, whether it's carefully measured or aesthetic ?

cheers

[Setch]

They beef up the neck at it's most vulnerable point making it stronger and stiffer, they add mass under the nut, and they look classy (if elegantly shaped). I place my just behind the nut, nothing scientific, you just don't want it to prevent anyone chording in the first position, especially if they like to use the 'thumb in the centre of the neck' classical style.

[Pr3Va1L]

I'd say they are really needed in a floyd rose context... Because you have 2 holes (lock nut) in that alredy weak area so it can really prove useful...

[Firefox2551]

Thats that bump ot thats shaped a little like the heel of a neck right? Except its on the headstock.

My Schecter Omen-7 has one, its a hardtail, also I've seen that Ibanez SZ-320's have them. I like them for comfort. I can see how they would add strength though.

Mine starts about the middle of the first fret and comes to the point at right behind the nut.

Edited May 27, 2006 by Firefox2551

[Mattia]

They beef up the neck at it's most vulnerable point making it stronger and stiffer, they add mass under the nut, and they look classy (if elegantly shaped). I place my just behind the nut, nothing scientific, you just don't want it to prevent anyone chording in the first position, especially if they like to use the 'thumb in the centre of the neck' classical style.

Ditto. For bar chords, it makes a nice 'stop' at the end of the neck. Put it too far up the neck and it's just in the way.