Headstock angle

The backward tilt of the headstock relative to the plane of the fretboard, usually between seven and seventeen degrees.

Headstock angle creates the downward pressure, or break angle, that keeps the strings seated in their nut slots and gives the instrument more sustain and a firmer feel. Steeper angles increase that pressure but weaken the headstock against a fall, which is why some makers use shallower angles and string trees instead. Too little angle, as on many flat or nearly flat headstocks, lets strings rattle in the nut and lose definition, especially the plain top strings.

Example: Guitars built with a nearly straight headstock rely on string trees to hold the top strings down instead of a steep headstock angle.

Headstock angle

See also