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Nah, this neck skirt don't look quite right... but what else to do then?

Does this wooden skirt around the neck joint look too weird? I'm thinking maybe so. I added metal straps after notching the neck too deeply and weakening the neck (pitch was bending like crazy), and now I want to hide the straps.

My intent is to cover up the metal straps that protrude out the front of the box. But I am thinking this is a little too much. But, alternately, how to hide the metal straps?

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Permalink Reply by Jim Saraceno on October 25, 2015 at 3:29am

When you say you notched the neck too deeply, I assume you are talking about the section that is inside the box. If that is the case, you can always cut another piece of wood that will just fit inside the box and glue it to the back of the neck. That should support that section inside the box.

So far I have only worked with maple for my necks but I'm thinking oak is stiffer. I like the clean look and feel of maple but oak would probably be better for support pieces.

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Permalink Reply by Thumper on October 25, 2015 at 5:15am

As a cover up for a sloppy joint I've used thick fret wire.

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on October 25, 2015 at 11:43am

Well, at this stage it's not pretty, but that isn't important if it plays well. Therein lies the concern. With the large side wood pieces, you will have a heck of a time getting to the upper frets. It's sort of the opposite of a guitar cut-away.

Not sure I understand what you mean by cutting the box too deep. Is it a case that the neck falls too far down below the box lid? If that is the case, you could install a piece of wood inside the box (like the removable box liner wood many boxes come with) which is cut to the correct depth. This would get your neck back up where it belongs. Now, for the over sized hole in the box. For that, think about cutting a decorative piece of wood that would fit tightly around the neck (and hide the over sized hole). Actually Gitty sells a pre-cut neck surround that does just that.

In the end, I think you will be happier if you don't have those big side cheeks blocking you hand from reaching up to the 12th ~ 17th frets.

Just my take..........

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Permalink Reply by Mark Jeghers on October 25, 2015 at 1:38pm

I've decided to just paint the metal dark brown.

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on October 25, 2015 at 6:45pm

Hi Mark, is it that the cut out for the pickup has weakened the neck?. If the cheeks are needed I would change the design so that they are small enough to cover the metalwork but shape them to look like a double cutaway. Giving back some of the access up the neck you might have lost. In effect reversing the curve.

Cheers Taff