darkandrew Posted August 31, 2018 Share Posted August 31, 2018 (edited) Let's get this out in the open right from the start - I don't like the larger headstock that appear on Strats and much prefer the smaller, narrower headstock that you find on the Tele. Now seeing as the Tele came first, why was it changed on subsequent models? Is there any real benefit of the larger headstock, eg. Does it help the tone or balance of the guitar? Edited August 31, 2018 by darkandrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted August 31, 2018 Share Posted August 31, 2018 They could print the name bigger so you could read it on t.v.? Just a guess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick's Fine '52 Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 They did the same with their bass too of course. I don't know the answer as to why, I'm guessing it looked more balanced with a more substantial headstock, and less of a 'straight stick' looking neck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SH73 Posted September 12, 2018 Share Posted September 12, 2018 I like the standard srratocaster headstock, not the large one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 Fender weren't known for changing something unless it really needed changing, so they either made them bigger because it was more economic to do so (which seems unlikely but possible I guess, more margin for error for example), because the bigger headstock sounded/stayed in tune better (even more unlikely), or because the larger headstock was more recognisable/iconic and therefore protectable by law (plenty of early instruments had headstocks not unlike early Tele's/Precisions), and enabled the word 'Fender' to be picked up in TV/photos more easily. I know where I'd put my money. And I love the bigger 70's Strat headstocks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardMarlowe Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 The CBS era big headstocks were all about making the logo more prominent. The 'normal' Strat headstock, afaik, was just a design variation from the Tele. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EdwardMarlowe Posted October 1, 2018 Share Posted October 1, 2018 (Oh... and the switch in the look of a P bass, both scratchplate and headstock shape was, afaik, about making it look more like the bass version of a Strat, to sell it to bands which were at the time adopting Strats fast). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
