Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Yellowbelly Flatt on November 2, 2011 at 9:29am

Anything else? Are you going to use a fingerboard?

Permalink Reply by Ian MC Donald on November 2, 2011 at 9:34am

Hi Duncan
Check out my build photos for the Canadian rocky it shows the neck stage with scarf joint creating an angled headstock,
I joined a walnut piece to a maple neck but before bonding the two I cut the frets then glued the two together with cascamite it's used in the uk for boat building and I used it when I was in the joinery shop for loads of projects
You can get it on eBay for about 18 quid for 2.5 litre tub lasts ages,
Woodfinishesdirect.co.uk do lacquers and primers,
Good luck any further help let me know
Regards
Ian

Permalink Reply by Alan Hodges on November 2, 2011 at 11:51am

Hi duncan, Try this you tube link. This guy runs through things at a nice easy pace and whilst his video series is about making an acoustic, the basics will point you in the right direction for making a neck from scratch. Also check out my pictures from my latest 4 string build. I have also used an oak neck and I finished it with water borne acrylic lacquer ( no stain) and for my first time with lacquer, I'm really pleased with the results.

Alan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECmsQWsFtiY

Permalink Reply by Michael Fred Johnson on November 3, 2011 at 4:44am

You can add a facing to the headstock to hide the joint

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on November 3, 2011 at 8:15pm

Bandsaw and bench sander make it easy, but a handsaw will do the job just as good (if not better...I must have done well over 150 that way before I got my bandsaw)..the bench sander is a great tool if you are making loads of stuff, but by no means essential.

 

I put the scarf under the fretboard, but that's just because I started doing it that way and didn't want to see a joint on the headstock and couldn't be bothered to cover it with a headstock veneer. Also, the fretboard hides the joint and strengthens it.

 

I like to glue the fretboard on then fret it, other people put the frets in first and then glue the 'board on. If you are doing an angled headstock, it's usual to have a separate fretboard rather than fret direct into the neck...I've not seen a scarf-jointed headstock done with frets set directly in and no fretboard..but anything is possible.

 

If the wood you are using is thick enough to do a one piece neck with frets set directly in it, then it's thick enough to do a "Fender style" headstock and do away with the hassle of the angled head and separate 'board.

 

Finish - I like gunstock oil, as you just rub it on with a rag and let it dry.  The more coats you put on the shinier it gets, but I prefer just a few coats and then knock it back with 0000 wirewool to get a satin finish. Otherwise, quick, easy and shiney - a few coats of rattlecan clear acrylic from my local DIY shop at £2.75 for a big can. Oak can have a very deep open grain, so you might still end up with a very "open' finish rather than mirror smooth, even if you try filling the grain.

 

 

Permalink Reply by D.C. Mansfield on November 4, 2011 at 10:56pm

Cheers everyone,

  That all looks really good, and now I feel a little less intimidated!

  I've just found out a co worker makes furniture in his spare time, so I now have access to a workshop full of tools, so I'm really excited about getting started!

Thanks for your time and knowledge, I'll let you know how it goes!

Duncan.

Permalink Reply by Hayden A Butler on November 5, 2011 at 12:17am

I have done things a little differently with scarf heads by gluing the head bit under/begind the neck rather than on top of this.  Does this in any way weaken the joint or affect the guitar in any way?  I had done it this way as you can then easily know your scale length and nut position from early on in the build.

Permalink Reply by Slowpaw Steve T on November 5, 2011 at 1:13am

I tried doing an angled headstock once, it worked out really well though found no obvious benefits compared to a straight one, apart from the satisfaction of the achievement! 

 

A neck with a scarfed headstock i ordered from Big Daddy Mojo is excellent and in constant use, i glued on a Rosewood fretboard and fretted it up myself, though it has a wide headstock, would like to build a similar one myself but would take a lot of work, but i have time!

 

An angled headstock is something i would undertake with the experience of a few builds behind me and not on my first build, but if you want to try it good luck!  There are excellent instructions on CBN's downloadable book by Josh Gayou.

http://joshuagayou.com/downloads/AdvancedCigarBoxGuitarConstruction...

 

Another tip about Oak - any Oak is good, English, American, Light, Dark, but only use an oil based Polyurethane on it, it will bring out the grain in brilliant detail - any water based varnish will really "bring out" the grain in a very (to me) unpleasant way!

Use a nicely sharpened Spokeshave to round off the underside of the neck, it is the easiest and most pleasant way to do the job. (-:  

.

Permalink Reply by D.C. Mansfield on November 9, 2011 at 6:55am

  Thanks Slowpaw,

   You mentioned using an oil based polyurethane, can you recomend any brands in particular?

P.S - Anyone in England, can you recommend a stockist for Walnut or Mahogony, for the fretboard? They don't stock it at Arnold Laver, suprisingly!

Permalink Reply by Ian MC Donald on November 10, 2011 at 6:08am

Hi Duncan,
I have been able to make a simple jig for making scarf joints using a chop or mitre saw if you have one I can post a picture of mine it then makes a very tidy joint,
As far as wood suppliers Brooks brothers in Maldon in Essex supply all sorts of hardwoods give them a ring,
I use recycled kitchen doors for my builds as I'm in the kitchen business check out any of your local sheds b and q wickes etc I'm sure they have loads of surplus damaged doors,
I could supply you but postage might be an issue with the weight,
I use omega kitchens in Doncaster for our kitchens they might have damaged doors google them just a possibility,
Let me know if you want any further help ,
I will add you as a friend,
Regards
Ian

Permalink Reply by Michael Fred Johnson on November 10, 2011 at 7:31am

The easiest way to a good finish I have found is to brush on a couple of coats of sanding sealer ( lightly sand between coats) then use Halfords spray lacquer for the final finish (see my photos)

The sealer is available from model shops

Permalink Reply by Ian MC Donald on November 10, 2011 at 12:26pm

Hi the easiest way to round off your neck in one pass is with a router bit with a guide bush you can purchase most bit with a 1/4 inch shank it saves time if you are wanting to build a few and requires virtually no sanding, I am assuming you have a router but again if not you can get a reasonable one on eBay or screw fix the router has many uses and great for guitar builds, Let me know if you need any more info Regards Ian


Slowpaw Steve T said:

I tried doing an angled headstock once, it worked out really well though found no obvious benefits compared to a straight one, apart from the satisfaction of the achievement! 

 

A neck with a scarfed headstock i ordered from Big Daddy Mojo is excellent and in constant use, i glued on a Rosewood fretboard and fretted it up myself, though it has a wide headstock, would like to build a similar one myself but would take a lot of work, but i have time!

 

An angled headstock is something i would undertake with the experience of a few builds behind me and not on my first build, but if you want to try it good luck!  There are excellent instructions on CBN's downloadable book by Josh Gayou.

http://joshuagayou.com/downloads/AdvancedCigarBoxGuitarConstruction...

 

Another tip about Oak - any Oak is good, English, American, Light, Dark, but only use an oil based Polyurethane on it, it will bring out the grain in brilliant detail - any water based varnish will really "bring out" the grain in a very (to me) unpleasant way!

Use a nicely sharpened Spokeshave to round off the underside of the neck, it is the easiest and most pleasant way to do the job. (-:  

.