Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on March 10, 2013 at 10:59pm

To saw timber, all you need is a handsaw - I made around 200 guitars before getting any serious power tools, and sawed my way thru' a lot of oak and mahogany with just an ordinary handsaw. Don't get fixated on having to have american oak, maple or whatever, almost any timber will do. Table legs from skips are a favorite source of wood from me...but a decent piece of softwood will do - I've made hundreds of them at my 'make and play' workshops just using 1" x 1 1/2" sawn softwood from Homebase.

Permalink Reply by Hep Cat on March 10, 2013 at 11:09pm

John

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.  I have read that the soft woods wouldn't stand up to the tension once strings were added?  But if this is not the case then I will bow to your greater knowledge.  Any timber I've ever bought from local DIY stores has been for jobs around the home and has been fairly uninspiring and I'd like my first build to look as nice as nice as possible.  I even have an old Squier guitar neck here but have not seen any how to's or other tutorials on how I could succesfully use such an item, though I know people do use them.

Thanks again 

Permalink Reply by Tony Brown on June 17, 2013 at 4:20am

Could you use Plywood for a neck. Not the usual softwood type but Hardwood Plywood or Marine Ply ? 

It can be bought in 1 mtr X 1 mtr X 18mm. sheets.  Two strips 1. 5 inches wide glued together could work ?

Or not ????

Just a thought.

Permalink Reply by Chris Thomas on June 17, 2013 at 4:40am

Hi Tony, yes a good quality ply (Swedish birch has no gaps on either edge, the guys who build rocking horses use it for the varnished clear finishes and may have enough left over from a build but sadly the kit builders have nothing but sawdust left over but do look fantastic so a neck would look just as good) depending on how many strings you want to build to is a major factor. Ash is a great wood to work with and very resilient, oak is good but very heavy. The best necks I have made have been laminated and are very strong but without a truss rod it's a bit of a risk but that is just making a ply yourself really. This game is throw the dice and hope for the best, we are all ground breaking and that is what makes the Nation what it is mate, ask the guys and get the short cut through experiences of the members, happy building Tony. Chris. :)

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on March 10, 2013 at 11:21pm

Softwood isn't great, but it will work - I've used decent Hemlock (stair bannisters) from Wickes..straight grained and pretty dense...and if you glue on a fretboard it holds up just fine. Remember, it's a stick in a box, not a Gibson..so use a stick!

Permalink Reply by Hep Cat on March 10, 2013 at 11:23pm

Thanks for that John, the "stick in a box" comment really brought it home.

Midge

Permalink Reply by smojo on March 10, 2013 at 11:43pm

In true CBG style go do a bit of skip diving, there's always someone chucking out good wood. Got any old relatives with garages, sheds? Ask if they have any bits of old furniture, shelving etc. Put an ad on Freecycle. Lots of ways of getting good seasoned hardwood for free. Only time I've actually bought neck wood was just cos I wanted some maple. Then as CB John said, cut it down with a handsaw. Yeah hard work but more satisfying and has a lot more mojo when you've built it.

Permalink Reply by Hep Cat on March 11, 2013 at 8:26am

Thanks for the input Mojo, much appreciated.

Midge

Permalink Reply by Graham Wood on March 11, 2013 at 12:12am

Hi Midge,

You don't say how thick the timber is. If you you are going to do this type of woodwork or come to that any woodwork, you will need a number of tools & equipment. You could see if there are any wood turning or woodwork clubs in your area, these guys I'm sure would help may be with a small donation to the club. Most of these guy have band saws which is a god send to woodworking. As Chickenbone said a hand saw will do the job & are not expensive from B&Q. I live in Surrey, so can not help other than chat about it. Again skips & damps can good for old furniture. At this time I have only one Strumstick but want to go to make more & cigar boxes. 

Woody.  

Permalink Reply by Hep Cat on March 11, 2013 at 8:23am

Thanks for the advice Graham, much appreciated.

Midge

Permalink Reply by David L. on March 11, 2013 at 1:15am

Hi Midge,

Roosterman was selling neck blanks (hardwood) 5 for £50 which included postage. One end slimmed down to take the machine heads. The link with photo was on the chat part of the group from 5th jan 2013 Currently page 22. Sorry the iPad cannot cut and paste the photo. If interested message him via his page http://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/RandyRoosterGuitars to send a full email you need to "friend"request him from the left column of his page. I bought 5 as health issues put me off trying to cut my own and I am really happy with them.

DL

Permalink Reply by Hep Cat on March 11, 2013 at 8:24am

Thanks for the heads up on that David, I'll make some enquiries.

Midge

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