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John Davidson replied to Brian Kay's discussion To scarf or not to scarf

"I live in an apartment so power tools are out for me. My solution for scarf joints was to build a hand miter box. The saw blade is at 90° to the box and I used the blade to setup a miter guide. The miter guide is simply a straight 1x2…"

Jul 20, 2012

Ben replied to Brian Kay's discussion To scarf or not to scarf

"I'm very interested in the physics of this. Would you say that a guitar with a capo on it can't have accurate tuning and string bending? Yes, it needs to be adjusted, but I've found that ease/accuracy of tuning and string bending…"

Jul 20, 2012

Randy S. Bretz replied to Brian Kay's discussion To scarf or not to scarf

"Just use a string tree to apply your downward pressure atr the peghead. For myself i hardly ever use a scarf joint, perfer a step down peghead or a pocket style."

Jul 20, 2012

ChickenboneJohn replied to Brian Kay's discussion To scarf or not to scarf

"With scarf joints, either way will work..I prefer the 'headstock over' way..as the joint is hidden..and more importantly reinforced, by the fretboard. Doing it the other way you'll have a visible joint in the headstock, which…"

Jul 20, 2012

wormil replied to Brian Kay's discussion To scarf or not to scarf

"I put them under, not sure if there is a compelling reason for one over the other."

Jul 19, 2012

Brian Kay replied to Brian Kay's discussion To scarf or not to scarf

"thanks for the input guys. i have ~ 5 ft neck stock, so i'm going to try making a scarf joint at least once(i can afford to screw up twice). do you recommend putting the 5" headstock piece over the neck or under? - ive seen…"

Jul 19, 2012

wormil replied to Brian Kay's discussion To scarf or not to scarf

"Scarf joints are actually very simple but then I have a tablesaw. You can also do them with a handsaw and clean up with a hand plane. After you've done one you'll like them for the simplicity plus they offer a lot of opportunity…"

Jul 19, 2012

Swamp Dawg Primal Music replied to Brian Kay's discussion To scarf or not to scarf

"Adding tension to the strings breaking over the nut without using a string tree leads to more reliable tuning, especially when bending, so a scarf joint does make a difference, not to say that fenders can't be set up to play well with a bit of…"

Jul 19, 2012

ChickenboneJohn replied to Brian Kay's discussion To scarf or not to scarf

"For simplicity's sake just do a 'cut back' Fender style headstock - the fretboard will help you get that bit more break angle over the nut. A scarf jointed "Gibson" style headstock does nothing for the strength or…"

Jul 19, 2012

Ben replied to Brian Kay's discussion To scarf or not to scarf

"I find that the "playability" has absolutely nothing to do with a scarf or not. Yes, scarf joints can look pretty but it isn't necessary. The fretboard will give you a little bit of height so you might want to make sure you have a…"

Jul 19, 2012

Swamp Dawg Primal Music replied to Brian Kay's discussion To scarf or not to scarf

"A scarf joint and fretboard will make a better playing git."

Jul 19, 2012

Brian Kay posted a discussion

To scarf or not to scarf

starting work on my 1st guitar - going to build a 4 string, thru-neck with a nice deep Magna box. My question is - should i make a scarfed joint at the head knowing that a)i'm not putting in a truss rod, and b) i want the guitar to be playable (not just slide guitar). I'm also most likely going to put a fretboard on top of the neck. thanks in advance.See More

Jul 19, 2012

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Brian Kay is now a member of Cigar Box Nation

Jul 18, 2012

Welcome Them!