open head

[John Bertotti]

So if you want an open head do you need special machines. Could you take A style machines and mount them in an open head. Thanks all John

[Jim Garber]

Schaller makes machines for slothead mandolins. I believe I have them on my Pandini bowlback.

You can see them here (http://www.internationalluthiers.com/machineheadsp3.php). The horizontal ones are the ones you want.

There is an explanation here (http://www.internationalluthiers.com/machineheads.php).

Jim

[John Bertotti]

I have read the explanation. I am curious, if the hole in the end or middle are the only differences why not get the machines you like and put a hole where you need it? Thanks Jim John http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[whistler]

Side-mounting machine heads (for an 'open' headstock)have slightly longer, cylindrical shafts, designed to pass through the outer wall of the headstock and into holes drilled part-way into the central partition. On the back-mounting type, the upper portions of the shafts are waisted, to hold the wound strings up off the face of the headstock. Am I making sense?

[whistler]

Side-mounting machine heads (for an 'open' headstock)have slightly longer, cylindrical shafts, designed to pass through the outer wall of the headstock and into holes drilled part-way into the central partition. On the back-mounting type, the upper portions of the shafts are waisted, to hold the wound strings up off the face of the headstock. Am I making sense?

[whistler]

...Somebody's impersonating me.