Snakeheads?

[Verne Andru]

I think one big difference, if I am not mistaken the Paris Swings are pressed arches, not carved arches. Some were, maybe all of them, I am not sure. But that would account for a whole lot of difference.

And as Allen says, 85 years of aging.

Aging will do it LOL.

I don't believe the JJ's are pressed. Mine has a pronounced recurve and sounds more like my Loar archtop guitar [carved solid] than my Harmony Monterey tenor which is pressed birch. But with the soundhole rosette, it's impossible to tell for sure.

Have you tried your JJ without the stock pickguard? It looks cool, but I found taking if off turned mine into a new mandolin. Better tone and much louder. That felt foot they use as a brace against the top seriously muffles tone. My replacement fingerrest floats from the neck so nothing touches the soundboard.

[Billy Packard]

I confess to a bit of vociferous ranting above. I have realized it was coming from a pent-up reaction and not you Verne, you are obviously a good guy.

So many times I've seen various merchants here on the dear MC classified's rave about the wonderful sound that only can come from the mysterious "snake-Head" when that feature has no effect on the sound yet it seems to justify an additional $1000.00!

I have played quite a few A2Z Gibson's and most of them were exceptional in sound but so is my 1923 A2 paddle-head---it is mind-blowingly huge, woody and really loud. (..footnote, I understand there were fewer A2Z's made than Loar signed F5's.)

At any rate, I love & appreciate the forum and everyone here in our mandolin community and the various perspectives we bring.

Billy

[trevor]

"So many times I've seen various merchants here on the dear MC classified's rave about the wonderful sound that only can come from the mysterious "snake-Head" when that feature has no effect on the sound yet it seems to justify an additional $1000.00! "

There are other differences not just the headstock. I will leave someone else to chime in with the detail.

[JeffD]

I don't believe the JJ's are pressed. Mine has a pronounced recurve and sounds more like my Loar archtop guitar [carved solid] than my Harmony Monterey tenor which is pressed birch. But with the soundhole rosette, it's impossible to tell for sure..

I thought I read that somewhere. Maybe it was some models, or up to some particular date, or.. maybe I am totally wrong.

The only changes I made were to have the florida scooped and faux frets put it (to keep the look). Being able to pick easily over the sweet spot really made a huge difference.

I will try messing with the pick guard, but darn it all it really is a cool look. Ill see how much difference it makes.

[pops1]

I have a friend who has a '20's snakehead, I have a '22 paddlehead. I much prefer my paddlehead for sound. When I bought it I wanted the wide fingerboard which is the only other difference beside the headstock. Now getting older I may like the narrower nut, but soundwise it's still the paddlehead.

[Billy Packard]

With all respect due to you Trevor, you are an amazing guy and THE mandolin cornerstone on your side of the pond and you always have an impeccable selection. Also a devoted clientele which speaks specifically to your spotless integrity.

I am referring to a peg-head design, not an era or brand per se. My Gilchrist A3 has that design as do countless other mandolins. I believe its popularity is largely due to aesthetic appeal but the string-pull aspect is noteworthy. Again, the '23 Gibson A2 paddle-head I own is spectacular sounding, better than at least one A2Z I've played and equal to most of the rest.

Regarding the price variant, it is simple business of supply and demand. There were few made and most (if not all) were from the Loar period which is in itself an increased price factor.

All my best to you Trevor, thanks for what you do.

Billy

[Verne Andru]

I thought I read that somewhere. Maybe it was some models, or up to some particular date, or.. maybe I am totally wrong.

The only changes I made were to have the florida scooped and faux frets put it (to keep the look). Being able to pick easily over the sweet spot really made a huge difference.

I will try messing with the pick guard, but darn it all it really is a cool look. Ill see how much difference it makes.

The JJ was their top-of-the-line and IIRC the specs I found online at the time stated it was carved solid top. I'll check to see if I saved the info.

I scooped the Florida as well. I don't really play up there and prefer not to have one so as to avoid "pick click" but I do like the look.

A slotted peghead would have been my choice, in keeping with the Selmer/Maccafarri vibe they were going after with the other design touches.

The stock tuning machines are garbage. I got a nice set of 18:1 Grovers with black buttons from Allparts after mine literally fell apart.

[Verne Andru]

All references I've found only state the JJ is solid sitka spruce - nothing mentioned on pressed or carved so I'll go by the recurve.

[Timbofood]

Trevor, you have got to stop posting the highly "invigorating" mando porn!

This is starting to get pretty hairy! If we admit that the shape of a peghead makes a difference than we must also consider the material of any straps, shirt material or anything else in the mix as well as pick material, amount of beverage imbibed by both player and listener too, don't we?
Ok, don shoot me, I'm going to my corner now!

[fatt-dad]

. . . so late to an interesting party.

Maybe, like others, the term, "Snakehead" relates to me as a Gibson thing. There are differences in the overall sound of a paddle head and a shakehead. Differences that may relate to the narrower nut or the mass in the neck. Don't know, but it seems that's about the difference between the paddle and snake heads.

Other makers go with different neck joints, elevated fretboards, hybrid style and add other distinctions in their, "Snakeheads." I think that's a separate discussion.

I had an oval hole, hybrid mandolin and I didn't like it. It was a snakehead.

f-d

[pheffernan]

There are other differences not just the headstock. I will leave someone else to chime in with the detail.

The headstock is just a visual cue for other developments affecting the playability and tone of a mandolin. In terms of the former, an adjustable truss rod allowed for a more narrow neck profile as well as adjustments to the relief which, in conjunction with an adjustable bridge, produce a more comfortable playing experience. As for the tone, a builder I trust who has had hands in many, many instruments claims that the graduations of Gibson ovals changed through the early 1920's, leading to a voice that is less tubby, more balanced than their predecessors from the teens. Sprinkle in a little Loar pixie dust and you have the mystique of the snakehead.

[foldedpath]

Trevor, you have got to stop posting the highly "invigorating" mando porn!

Yeah, really. I've sworn to myself that I don't need another mandolin in my life, but there is a persistent voice in the back of my head that says I should try a vintage Snakehead Gibson at least once. Not just try, but buy and live with it for a while. Those photos from Trevor are not helping.

Closest I've ever come to a snakehead is an electric guitar I played for a while, a Gibson Pat Martino with a snakehead peg head (see, not just mandolins!):



Sweet guitar, but I don't do 'dat stuff 'no more. Sold it off last year (sniffle).

[Jim Garber]

Some designs I will send to Mr. Bussmann to make me a real snakehead.

[pops1]

Some designs I will send to Mr. Bussmann to make me a real snakehead.

Jim, I think the mouth should be open for a little more dramatic effect.

[mandroid]

Maybe use a real head of the snake ? call your favorite Taxidermist ..

[JeffD]

Sprinkle in a little Loar pixie dust and you have the mystique of the snakehead.

Don't think it is not an essential element!

I have always thought that "Snakehead" would be a great name for a craft bourbon. If any of you distillers want to use the name, be my guest. Just please make an exceptional product, befitting the afore mentioned pixie dust.

[fatt-dad]

I tried a snake-tail in my snakehead.

f-d

[T.D.Nydn]

A real snakehead is a fish,,an invasive species from asia

[JeffD]

I tried a snake-tail in my snakehead.

I have a rattle in mine as well. It interacts with the pixie dust and keeps the mojo measurably higher.

[Br1ck]

I would think having some fangs show would be dandy. Someone could have a field day with abalone and mother of pearl. Maybe a cobra face on?