Angle of the Head

I have built 3 cbgs and have run into the same issue every time. I haven't used the scarf joint method. I've just cut/sanded the head to about 5/8" (I can't remember exactly) so that the tuners can fit with room to wind some string. The problem I have run into is that the angle from the nut to the tuner post is almost 0. I have had to do some fanagling to fix this.

Have any of you had this issue when using a straight neck design and not an angled head/ scarf joint?

I have started 2 more builds, but these are using a scarf joint neck design. Without having a lot of tools, this has proven to be a pain in the butt. I'm kinda making it up as I go... but I guess that's part of cbg building.

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Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on November 1, 2013 at 1:02am

even the sliding is not much of an issue,just leave a little "green" on the head to trim later,a little bit of sanding,trimming and you,re done,if sliding sideways is an issue,just clamp a temporary fence to maintain alignment

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Permalink Reply by Mark Lindsay on November 1, 2013 at 4:28am

Hi Jeff. Here's how I keep the parts from sliding around when I clamp a scarf joint: http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/how-i-clamp-a-scarf-joint

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Permalink Reply by Rouxdy Blues on November 5, 2013 at 8:20am

That's what I do as well and it works really well.

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on November 1, 2013 at 12:59am

There's nothing wrong with what you've made, other than the fact you haven't put the strings on right. Leave more slack so you get several winds round the string posts and always wrap them DOWN towards the headstock to increase the break angle..problem solved.

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Permalink Reply by Brendan deVallance on November 1, 2013 at 2:15am

I added a bit of wood to the underside of the headstock to help coax the tuners into the right spot.

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Permalink Reply by Groucho on November 4, 2013 at 6:35pm

I am lacking in power tools as well. What I've done is use a coping saw to cut an angled piece off of the headstock. Then flip the piece over and glue the two flat sides together. That will give you an angled head.

The cut from the blade and then sanding the rough outer sides smooth should take enough off the wood so that the tuners poke through enough to wind the strings around.

Call it "the poor man's scarf joint"....