FRETS.COM Illustrated Glossary
What's it for?
Volute
© Frank Ford, 9/6/98 Photos by FF
A volute is a raised, curved area carved into the back of an instrument neck behind
the nut, where there is a transition from the peghead to the shaft of the neck:
Sometimes this volute is called a "handstop." Some people suggest that it's there to reinforce the area behind the truss rod adjusting nut pocket, but relatively few instruments with truss rods actually have volutes.
I assume it's more of a style thing, harking back to some earlier instruments. .
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