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Scarf Joints and Tuners...

Ok, so I am getting away from just doing a stick in a box and thought to make more of an actual guitar neck (based off what I seeing this may be for just the next two builds).

I finally went back to one of my first builds that did not turn out so well, and am redoing the neck. I thought it would look great with a decorative, custom shaped headstock. I actually ended up starting two necks with scarf joints.

My issue is... both necks are using .75 inch thick wood (either red oak or poplar)... the standard thickness of a 1x2 you get from a big box store. The glue is still drying, but best I can tell, the tuner posts are going to be too short to fit all the way through. I have some old Epiphone tuners that I KNOW will not be long enough, but I also have some of the generic, open-gear tuners from CB Gitty (I have some from eBay too, but they are identical to the ones I got from Gitty).

What have I missed here??? Will I need to reshape the neck thinner in the back, or...?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by evanmars on September 18, 2015 at 8:21am

That is what I did on my second build. Put it on my belt sander until it was the right thickness. Not sure what I did on the first build..

Permalink Reply by Brian Revels on September 18, 2015 at 8:33am

I have a palm sander... I guess it'll have to do. :-\

I still wonder what people do. There are several videos online on how to do a scarf joint. None that I have seen mention having to shave or sand something, or using a thinner piece of wood for the headstock (which might be a lightbulb moment, sort of). But most use the same piece they cut off of their 1x2, flip it over and glue it! :-\

Permalink Reply by Paul H on September 21, 2015 at 10:11am

I used a 1x3 for my headstock. After cutting the mitre i cut the shape. I then sanded the head to a thickness which would accept the tuners.
Using table sanders, table planers and palm sanders will do the trick too.

Permalink Reply by Keith on September 18, 2015 at 8:30am

I usually make my headstocks out of thinner material, normally same species but thinner and then sand as necessary to thin it. I use a jig to cut my scarfs so it's the same angle as the neck cut.

Permalink Reply by Dave Steingart on September 18, 2015 at 8:58am

I reduce the head stock to 5/8" thickness, then cut the scarf joint then cut the profile of the head. Then finally glue both sides of the neck together.

Permalink Reply by MadGomer on September 18, 2015 at 9:22am

I cut the scarf, then skinny up the headstock piece on the table saw before gluing the joint. Didn't understand this on my first build, so Used a big forstner bit on the back side to spot face areas for the three tuners. Lots of options, choose what's easiest based on the tools you have available. Enjoy!

Permalink Reply by Bob Marioni on September 18, 2015 at 11:13pm

I cut the scarf joint and use my orbital sander to thin it to 5/8" or on a straight neck I cut it down to 5/8". Tuners fit fine then. Sometimes I use a thinner, wider board and cut the scarf angle on it. Then I cut out the shape I want and glue it to the neck.

Permalink Reply by gary sheldon on September 19, 2015 at 8:12am