Headstock shapes and syles

[Dave Hobson]

Hi everyone,I'm new to this site but it looks good to say the least!!! I'm currently building/modifying a 4-string bass and wondered if the shape of the headstock has to be a minimum shape or size or can it be any shape as long as you can nail the machine heads to it?
Thanks

[Dave Stewart]

Welcome Dave. For me, the only "rules" involve machine placement & making sure strings come off the nut & go to the machine post at reasonable angles & without hitting other posts. Best to draw it out. By hand (if you have the machines). I prefer using cad. You can download dimensioned plan views of various machines from Stewmac etc., resize them to scale, & move them around 'till the above works, then play with pleasing headstock shapes to go around it all.

[Rodger Knox]

+1 to what Dave said, with a minor addition. There is some strength required, but not a lot. A design would have to be pretty radical to have strength issues.

[Dave Hobson]

Thanks,guys,I just wanted to make sure about the strength issue before I started hacking away!!!!!!!!

[Patrick Hanna]

I doubt this will be a problem, but it's worth checking: Make sure your headstock design will fit the interior dimensions of the case.