Usually the slotted headstocks are 12 fret models - the bridge is located in a more central psition. And most folks will tell you that it improves the tone - a lot.

Definitely agree. Not only the tone but the power.

There are several theories as to why this is.

1: Wesley's, above. Since the body is longer and the neck shorter on a 12-fret than a 14 fret, given the same scale, the bridge ends up closer to the middle of the body, where the vibration can be picked up better by the top.

2: Simply the fact that a 12-fret body has greater volume than a 14-fret the same "size," even though it may not look any bigger. Thus moving more air, thus making more sound.

3: (This is the only one where the slotted head is directly relevant) The idea that the strings make a sharper angle over the nut on a slothead, putting more "down" pressure on the nut, thus transmitting vibration more effectively from the string to the guitar at that end.

I don't know which is the truth. I suspect they all contribute. But I would swear that, other factors (size, quality of wood, quality of workmanship) being equal, a 12-fret will almost always have a fuller and more powerful tone than a 14.

All IMNSHO, of course.

Peter.