Neck dImensions

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Randy S. Bretz on June 9, 2012 at 10:17am

It`s a precut 1x2 which is really 1 1/2" wide x 3/4" thick...i ususally get the 4foot one

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Permalink Reply by Josiah Goldsmith on June 9, 2012 at 10:40am

Hadn't thought of that, I can get my wood cut and machined to the right size, so i should ask for a board 1 1/2" x 3/4" then? 

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on June 9, 2012 at 10:31am

What Randy said.... I almost exclusively use 1x2's from Home Depot. You can also turn them on edge and laminate them, making a sturdy neck blank that is 1.5 widen and 1.5 thick. Then you can just cut it to whatever dimensions you like.

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Permalink Reply by Josiah Goldsmith on June 9, 2012 at 10:41am

Any ideas on what scale length I should try out? I'm a bassist do I was thinking of trying a longer one :)

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Permalink Reply by L.J. on June 10, 2012 at 6:24am

If your building a Bass make it bass scale 32"? or shorter. Guitar 26" or shorter. If you make them longer than a standard guitar you may find your self  in a struggle getting strings to fit. Especially if you have a long headstock. I think my Taylor is a 26. Been a while since I measured it. I built some short scale CBG's for my son and his friend and they sounded good, still had plenty of volume. And were comfortable to play. I could measure how short I went if you are thinking about going shorter.And care to know. So far I have built 3 shorter scales. The 2 with wood tops sounded great the one with the pressboard top was quieter. That doesnt mean they all will. i have had good luck with the romeo and julietta particle board tops.

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Permalink Reply by Josiah Goldsmith on June 10, 2012 at 8:39am

I'm not actually making a bass, but I have massive hands and don't like the feel of a guitar neck (fret-spacing wise) so 26" guitar scale seems to be the way to go? I might try it a bit shorter next time just so that chord shapes are easier, but I want a bigger one this time just as a kind-of switch-over instrument from bass. 

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Permalink Reply by Swamp Dawg Primal Music on June 12, 2012 at 4:54pm

For more volume on short scales, try a heavier gauge string and tune up slightly, the extra tension tends to add volume, but pressed board just sucks it away. All my standard 3 strings are 23" scale now, it's compact and gives you a bit of extra reach for chords.

If you're a bassist and doing more single notes and double stops, try fretless and a slide. No more squeezing in big chunky fingers.

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Permalink Reply by Josiah Goldsmith on June 14, 2012 at 10:58am

I'm going with a 26"+ scale (I'll see how longthe strings reach) and it'll be fretless. I'm gonna burn the fret-lines with a soldering iron

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Permalink Reply by Josiah Goldsmith on June 9, 2012 at 10:41am

Any ideas on what scale length I should try out? I'm a bassist do I was thinking of trying a longer one :)

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Permalink Reply by L.J. on June 10, 2012 at 6:37am

I have built many with the standard home depot 1x2. Mostly poplar, dont care for the oak myself. These days I buy a board from the local craftsman supply. they measure out 1" or 7/8" by 8"? I cut the necks 1 1/2" wide by the thickness of the board and I guess you normally lose 1/8 to 1/16 after sanding. I like the neck a little thicker much better.Just feels better in my hand. I guess its relative to the nut and bridge height.and the string gauge you are using. The thicker you go the less you have to worry about bending the neck. When I cut out part of the neck for the floating top I glue the piece I cut out behind the neck at the cutout for strength.

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Permalink Reply by Maddog on June 11, 2012 at 7:34pm

I have all my lumber cut from tree's by a sawmill so I am starting with rough stock. Mostly walnut, oak, ash and cherry. The boards I start with are 5/4 and widths vary. By the time I am done running it through the surface planer I end up with 4/4 and usually go with a 1 1/2" neck, I then glue a fret board on that puts me back to 5/4 thick.

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Permalink Reply by Swamp Dawg Primal Music on June 12, 2012 at 4:50pm

I use 20mmX40mm ,, sometimes with a 5mmX40mm fretboard glued on for those I sell and for myself 15mmX40mm with an 8mmX40mm fretboard glued on. I think between 20-25mm thickness works well, and a 40mm width gives lots of room for 3 or 4 strings without being too wide. You could also measure your favorite guitar neck.

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