Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Chuck Groves on March 15, 2018 at 10:58am

1 1/2 inches is the standard three string neck width and corresponds to a standard lumber board width.  Any narrower and you increase the probability of the string tension bending the neck.   you would need a truss rod to counteract this.   IMHO, a narrower neck would also not be comfortable to play.  It would be like playing a dowel rod or broom handle.  The string spacing on a three string is also easier to play slide on than a six string spacing as it is more forgiving.  I've been beating on guitars and basses for many years and it wasvery easy to transfer to the 1 1/2 inch neck and string spacing.

Permalink Reply by James Ross-Smith on April 4, 2018 at 11:15am

Thanks Chuck.  Finding hardwood seems to be a bit trickier in the UK.  I am making this guitar from a bannister. 

Permalink Reply by Michael Fred Johnson on April 5, 2018 at 7:04am

For timber in the UK try Feuillus Fencing,sapele,oak,lime,walnut,wenge etc.For fingerboards try your local model shop for 900 lengths of 6mm hardwood or on line SLEC.Or get to know a local builder,they are pulling out hardwood conservatories and doors,replacing them with plastic! Here's a photo of some of my collection from that source.The guitar neck is wenge from Feuillus,beware of the spelks! 

Permalink Reply by Michael Fred Johnson on April 5, 2018 at 7:34am

P.S.Feuillus also sell replacement laths for garden seats that are about the right size for a neck

Permalink Reply by James Ross-Smith on April 5, 2018 at 3:54pm

Great advice - thank you!  I love the idea of the reclaimed hardwood too.  Really good value from Feuillus - that Wenge neck looks great. 

Permalink Reply by Michael Fred Johnson on April 4, 2018 at 9:38am

This tenor four string is 1 1/8" at the nut and 1 3/8" at the body.being a four string it does have steel in the neck.

Permalink Reply by James Ross-Smith on April 4, 2018 at 11:21am

Thanks - that looks like a lovely guitar. I think I am going to go for something in between your two recommendations.  I really appreciate the help.  I think I will put some steel in my next one to give me a bit more flexibility. 

Permalink Reply by James Ross-Smith on April 4, 2018 at 11:36am

Michael, 

Can I just ask a follow-on question here, please?  Did you also taper the thickness of the neck up to the fretboard as well? If so how thick is the neck at the nut/heel (as opposed to the width which you have given here?)

Permalink Reply by Michael Fred Johnson on April 5, 2018 at 7:07am

The neck is 5/8"thick at the nut and 7/8" at the heel.The finger board and spacers add about 3/8" to that. 

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on April 5, 2018 at 7:46am

Hollowbelly's old red Christian Beshore 3 stringer has a very skinny neck, about 25mm wide at the nut. He's had it years and thrashed it mercilessly on many European tours - I've recently  had it in my workshop to replace the nut and it's still in fine fettle. As long as you keep a decent amount of depth in the neck you can get a very narrow neck to work. I've tapered a few necks from my usual 35mm width and rather like the feel of them.

Permalink Reply by James Ross-Smith on April 5, 2018 at 3:57pm

Thanks John.  Thanks also for organising Boxstock.  My wife and I had a great time at the day event and learnt loads.  Thanks also for the supplies - most of the hardware on the guitar (to be) I got from you.  What thickness do you normally make your necks at nut and heel? 

Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on April 5, 2018 at 4:01pm

Typically I start with a 22mm neck blank with a 6mm fretboard glued on, and usually they are are a constant depth  from nut to heel.