Real world experience: Reverse headstock Stratocaster

[IMENATOR]

I am planning buying a Player Series neck for my Standard Stratocaster 2008 MIM, I really want that 22nd fret and want to try a traditional maple fret board. I was thinking getting a reverse headstock (or a lefty neck). My question: Does it change the feel/elasticity of the strings? I don't care that much about string 6,5,4 but I really want to know about strings 1,2 and 3 which I bend a lot. Is it easier or harder or how would you describe it? And please just real world experience of people who have played typical vs reversed with strings of the same gauge. There are lots of confusing opinions out there of people who just seem to repeat what they read from some misleading post. I really appreciate your help.

 

[solspirit]

A lot of people say no, but it sure feels and sounds like it to me

 

[PFDarkside]

I’ve got three Strats here, a reverse and two standards. Let me check the gauges and trem status, then I’ll compare an let you know.

My thought before my comparison is that there’s a small slinkiness difference between high and low E. You have to bend the string sightly farther to hit the same pitch on the string that is longer behind the nut. My feeling also is that how you setup your tremolo (blocked, decked, decked that will lift, floating) makes a bigger difference and string gauge, even .5 makes a bigger difference.

I’ll check back in later tonight.

 

[IMENATOR]

I’ve got three Strats here, a reverse and two standards. Let me check the gauges and trem status, then I’ll compare an let you know.

My thought before my comparison is that there’s a small slinkiness difference between high and low E. You have to bend the string sightly farther to hit the same pitch on the string that is longer behind the nut. My feeling also is that how you setup your tremolo (blocked, decked, decked that will lift, floating) makes a bigger difference and string gauge, even .5 makes a bigger difference.

I’ll check back in later tonight.

Good point, mine is a vintage 6 screws trem which I always block.

 

[BeKindRewind]

I've had a ton of reverse headstock guitars and I'd say I definitely never noticed any difference in how they feel vs. non-reversed. It does make tuning and restrings an absolute pain in the ass though, and personally I'd recommend strongly against it for exactly this reason.

 

[GuitarStv]

I don't really notice any change when bending the strings with a floyd nut unlocked vs locked . . . so figure the amount of string over the nut can't make much difference if any.

 

[Seashore]

I don't feel any difference on my reverse headstock. If it's there, it's so minor that I compensated for it without realizing. Other factors like even a slight difference between guitars in fret height and action/neck relief can change the feel noticeably, so I wouldn't automatically attribute any perceived difference to the headstock.

 

[Securb]

I play a reverse headstock Strat I do not find anything noticeable enough in the feel of the guitar to report. I would say the tuning ergonomics are much better and it looks freaking cool

 

[idsnowdog]

I have one without a locking nut and it doesn't stay in tune at all. Supposedly Hendrix used a calibrated set of strings so they all had similar tension to help tuning.

 

[jeremy]

i have a few reverse headstock guitars and i dont really notice much difference in tension between them and my others. mine all stay in tune just fine and i use the same strings i use on everything else

 

[ICTGoober]

Supposedly Hendrix used a calibrated set of strings so they all had similar tension to help tuning.

And who supposed that? Someone who never listened to his live stuff.

The cat was retuning ALL THE TIME. And there was no such thing as a calibrated set of strings in the 1960's.

 

[Wattage]

You cats are weird

The high E and B are easier to bend, the low E and A are more resonant. The real difference to me is the low E, I find they sound bigger and just feel more responsive when playing.

YMMV but I have switched several guitars around that all reacted that way.

 

[GuitarStv]

I'm always surprised when someone tunes a low string to H.

 

[IMENATOR]

I'm always surprised when someone tunes a low string to H.

¡

 

[Wattage]

I'm always surprised when someone tunes a low string to H.

It's all the chemicals

You know when Bach did it it was all the rage now they just use boring ol' Bb

 

[eclecticsynergy]

And there was no such thing as a calibrated set of strings in the 1960's.

There were no balanced-tension sets available commercially, that's true.
Hendrix's guys used to buy individual strings in bulk, and assemble his custom sets from those.

https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/secrets-jimi-hendrixs-guitar-setup-interview-roger-mayer

A few string makers are selling sets in Jimi's preferred gauges now, Fender and GHS at least, maybe others too.

Bear in mind also that Jimi tuned to E♭, not standard - so string tension on his guitars was lower than normal.


.

 

[nexion218]

It's all the chemicals

You know when Bach did it it was all the rage now they just use boring ol' Bb

Some countries here in Europe (Hungary included) still do that.

Hella confusing if you ask me. Glad I started studying music in English, so I'm on the same with with 99,9% of the people I speak about music with. Not to mention literature.

 

[IMENATOR]

Well, I posted the question in a video of That Pedal Show and Mick just answered

But what is the difference in the elasticity? I mean for the treble strings? Is it easier or harder to bend a string and reach the note you want? Or how would you describe the difference?

That Pedal Show 7 hours ago
It feels slinkier on the treble strings so you have to push the string further to reach the note. But only very marginally.

 

[IMENATOR]

There were no balanced-tension sets available commercially, that's true.
Hendrix's guys used to buy individual strings in bulk, and assemble his custom sets from those.

https://www.guitarworld.com/artists/secrets-jimi-hendrixs-guitar-setup-interview-roger-mayer

A few string makers are selling sets in Jimi's preferred gauges now, Fender and GHS at least, maybe others too.

Bear in mind also that Jimi tuned to E♭, not standard - so string tension on his guitars was lower than normal.


.

That is a pretty cool article

 

[devastone]

It feels slinkier on the treble strings so you have to push the string further to reach the note. But only very marginally.

I would expect the opposite since the high strings got shorter, not sure I'm buying it but I don't have one to try it on. If I did, I'd probably Floyd it anyway.