on some more modern guitars, there is a piece of wood left at the back of the headstock where it meets the neck, to strengthen the joint between neck/headstock.

There is a name for this, can anyone tell me what it is? I cant for the life of me remember what you call this piece on a neck.

a volute!! remembered it! phew! that was a tough few minutes there! almost went mad!

Glad we were able to help.

Actually, sometimes the act of saying something out loud or writing it down activates the memory. Funny old brain, innit?

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

I must be losing it, as for the life of me I cant picture it.

Isn't it also sometimes called a "heel"?

The heel is at the other end.

I love volutes--I've come across people who don't like them, bu I prefer guitars with them.
They're used on guitars with slanted headstocks--not really needed on most Fenders though.

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.

Spanish Cut?

im looking for a Les Paul or SG style guitar, but as there are many reports of the headstock being prone to falling off when bumped, and i dont want my headstock to fall off(im funny like that!), i want to get one with a volute.

it'll take more than a bump to take the head off , more of a drop as long as you don't do anything daft and keep the guitar on a stand or in it's case when not in use it'll be fine

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That doesn't mean a volute isn't a good idea.

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It wasn't Willy-Nilly, it was at crows.