Do you radius the back of the neck?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Brett Morgan on September 16, 2010 at 6:57am

So is a flat spoke shave better or a curved one for this purpose?

Brett

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on September 16, 2010 at 7:09am

Thanks for all the replies. My original question was more about whether or not folks rounded the back of the neck or not, and less about how they do it, but since the thread went that direction, all these suggestions are good information.

I have been using my router table and then using my sander to smooth them out. The hard part is making sure that I don't burn the wood when I start of stop a pass with the neck. I am probably due for a new router bit, which I am sure would help.

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Permalink Reply by YeahDoIt on September 16, 2010 at 8:10am

The thought never entered my mind before. None of my CBGs have rounded necks.

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on September 16, 2010 at 8:33am

I round all mine and have had a few comments from people who have seen CBG's before that mine have a real neck (compared to a flat board neck ) Not my opinion just what the playing public has stated. I use a sureform and sandpaper and it takes too long, I have to look into a spokeshave.

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Permalink Reply by Mark on September 17, 2010 at 12:49pm

I'm a confirmed spokeshave user. To me, using power tools for the job seems excessive (and potentially a way to screw up a neck by chewing into it).

When I made my first guitar it just seemed natural to round off the back of the neck and a spokeshave seemed the obvious tool to use. The result felt really good and that's what I've stuck with - spokeshave to get the basic profile (working purely by eye and feel); then, still working by hand, progress through the grades of abrasive paper until I've got a finish I'm happy with.

I've made necks with a variety of profiles - some a fully rounded "D" section, some more square with just rounded off corners. Each type seems to favour different playing styles.

In reply to Brett, I use a flat spokeshave because it's what I had and seeing as it works well I'm not planning to change it.

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Permalink Reply by Johnny Debit on September 17, 2010 at 6:04pm

A flat spokeshave works perfecty to round a neck. It is also easier to sharpen then a concave blade. I use a spokeshave for a minute or two until it looks right, and then a cabinet scaper for another minute or two until it feels right.

Brett Morgan said:

So is a flat spoke shave better or a curved one for this purpose?

Brett

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Permalink Reply by Artist Formerly Known as Matt on September 18, 2010 at 7:37am

MichaelS said:

I round all mine and have had a few comments from people who have seen CBG's before that mine have a real neck (compared to a flat board neck ) Not my opinion just what the playing public has stated. I use a sureform and sandpaper and it takes too long, I have to look into a spokeshave.

How old is the sureform? I have the big one .. looks like a plane ..... that thing eats wood!
I didn't round necks at first, but now I do. But it would also depend on the look I was going for and the box thats going on it.
But I also tend to be more traditional ( if there is such a thing) and I only sureform the rough shape, finish with a drum attachment in the drill press, block sand at 150 to make sure it's not bumpy and put a finish on it.

Matt

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on September 18, 2010 at 9:35am

Spokeshaves are great. Get a good one tho. HF spokeshave is ok but not the best.

-WY

MichaelS said:

I round all mine and have had a few comments from people who have seen CBG's before that mine have a real neck (compared to a flat board neck ) Not my opinion just what the playing public has stated. I use a sureform and sandpaper and it takes too long, I have to look into a spokeshave.

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Permalink Reply by Jim Mitchell on September 18, 2010 at 9:56am

This is a new version ( I have my Grandfather's old one)
www.highlandwoodworking.com/kunzadjustablethroatspokeshave.aspx

This is the look that I have been going for.

.

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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on September 18, 2010 at 10:07am

Matt, my sureforms are old but still sharp. I use the small one with a convex blade on it and it works well for roughing out and if I lighten up on it i can get it close to smooth, then I sand with a power palm sander. More tools are always good. Just got a drill press and am a happy crafter.

Matt Towe said:

MichaelS said:

I round all mine and have had a few comments from people who have seen CBG's before that mine have a real neck (compared to a flat board neck ) Not my opinion just what the playing public has stated. I use a sureform and sandpaper and it takes too long, I have to look into a spokeshave.

How old is the sureform? I have the big one .. looks like a plane ..... that thing eats wood!
I didn't round necks at first, but now I do. But it would also depend on the look I was going for and the box thats going on it.
But I also tend to be more traditional ( if there is such a thing) and I only sureform the rough shape, finish with a drum attachment in the drill press, block sand at 150 to make sure it's not bumpy and put a finish on it.

Matt

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on September 18, 2010 at 1:38pm

Nice!

Jim Mitchell said:

This is a new version ( I have my Grandfather's old one)
www.highlandwoodworking.com/kunzadjustablethroatspokeshave.aspx

This is the look that I have been going for.

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Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on September 18, 2010 at 1:50pm

Here is a good video from O'Brien Guitars on how they make standard necks.

I [of course] shape the necks off the box as I am not as skilled of a woodworker as they are. I do use a VERY sharp chisel [as the palm of my left hand will testify] to shape the heels. Oh and a heel is NOT mandatory, but I make them, so. I use a scooping motion to remove the material. I need to invest in a good scraper.

Usually I will use the spokeshave to make the 'D' contour and then use a small block plane to even the neck-to-fretboard seam. After the spokshave has done its duty, I use a hand rasp to smooth out the profile before sanding.

Get good hand tools if you are going to use their methods!

-WY

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