why would anyone put a band around the headstock of a guitar?

[JDC]

saw this picture http://www.last.fm/music/Fredrik+Thordendal%27s+Special+Defects/+images/18618541

why does he has a band round the headstock, actually it looks more like it's around just the string, but anyway, I've no idea why anyone would do that, he has a locking nut for a start

[Denim n Leather]

Looks like the string retainer to me ...

[Muzzzz]

Looks like the string retainer to me ...

+1

[MrBump]

Looks like the string retainer to me ...

+1

+2...  A bloody big one though.

[WezV]

i think its a mute, maybe a padded string retainer - seen a lot of 8-string players have to do this because of sympathetic vibration behind the nut

[noodleplugerine]

i think its a mute, maybe a padded string retainer - seen a lot of 8-string players have to do this because of sympathetic vibration behind the nut

That's exactly what and why.

[JDC]

i think its a mute, maybe a padded string retainer - seen a lot of 8-string players have to do this because of sympathetic vibration behind the nut

cheers guys

I didn't think this was possible with a locking nut

[noodleplugerine]

i think its a mute, maybe a padded string retainer - seen a lot of 8-string players have to do this because of sympathetic vibration behind the nut

cheers guys

I didn't think this was possible with a locking nut

It's the vibration of the neck that causes the sympathetic vibrations behind the nut, not the inital vibration of the strings.

[f.sardis]

yes, it stops the strings from vibrating behind the nut. quite annoying at high gain when you do palm mutes as you can hear a little harmonic sound. not all guitars do it. one of mine does and i use cotton under the strings.

[Nolly]

I do it on my guitars too. One thing worth noting is that it does dull the tone just a little bit, as the resonant vibration does add some sparkle to sound, especially when you're playing full chords.

[Nolly]

I do it on my guitars too. One thing worth noting is that it does dull the tone just a little bit, as the resonant vibration does add some sparkle to the sound, especially when you're playing full chords.

[f.sardis]

i cannot say i have noticed anything like this with my guitar. it is completely inaudible on a clean channel and only audible on palm mutes with loads of gain.

[Nolly]

Well, every guitar will do it to a degree, but it will be more noticeable on guitars with reverse headstocks or long lengths of string between nut and tuner. You should be able to hear it when unplugged if you pick the open strings hard then mute straight away.

[f.sardis]

nope, cannot hear it at all  :lol:
my ears are terrible.

[temps]

I have to use one of these on my Jackson 7 string.. with the reversed headstock, it rings like a bitch and you can hear it all the time. I stick mine underneath the strings just behind the nut though. I actually used the foam some of my BKPs came packed in :D