Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Timothy Hunter on January 14, 2019 at 10:22am

no, never done this before. would an aluninium solid bar that size be adequate? neck is 18mm x 40mm tassie oak with an 8mm tassie oak fretboard. 30"scale 3 string bass. according to this site https://wahiduddin.net/calc/calc_guitar_tension_from_size.htm  total tension from the 3 strings will be 90 to 100 pounds.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on January 14, 2019 at 11:42am

Hi, my guide is, take 400mm length of what ever material - just test the end of a length of bar in the store - if it bends between my thumbs when thumbs are on the narrow edge it may not be suitable. You' have to judge.

I have two six string guitars I built 45 years ago with solid steel bars as reinforcement, and the necks are still perfect.

Taff

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on January 14, 2019 at 7:54pm

What Taffy said.

Square rod or rectangular rod is stronger than round rod. I like to use steel flat bar the most. 3 or 4mm(1/8") x 13mm(1/2") with the 13mm width in the trussrod channel to keep the neck from bending much up(ramping) or down(back bow). If you want to also keep side warping or twisting at bay, a T channel will work well.

Adjustable trussrods can be found for as little as $20USD these days.

Grain orientation of the neck can play a big part in necks without trussrods.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on January 14, 2019 at 8:51pm

Hi, I would not recommend a square bar if the other type is available.

If you recall the shape of rafters, beams and other load bearing structures I think you will find they are higher than they are wide.  

Yes grain that runs top to bottome of the neck ( quarter sawn) is more stable due any shrinkage being equal on all sides, and not from one side as in slab cut timber, which can lead to the neck warping to the side even with a truss rod.

I find Tassie oak is easier to find on the quarter, and only buy it that way.

I build my own adjustable truss rods from 3/16" rod, I'll do a post later if you like.

Taff

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on January 14, 2019 at 8:58pm

I say go ahead, someone will get something out of it. ;)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by ILL GREEN on January 16, 2019 at 3:50pm

Round or square, I stick em in the necks. Steel rods work best for me. Aluminum will bend over time.

On another note, walking the dog, I noticed someone threw out a 12ft solid plank of pine wood. I took that home and chopped it up to 12"x16" boards. Gonna make some nice guitars with them.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on January 16, 2019 at 6:00pm

Yes I think that round or square section aluminium could bend as you have found, that's why I suggested the dimensions I use. I find that if you cant bend it before it goes in, it's unlikely to bend when installed into a tight fitting channel. One can also go for larger dimensions if needed due to the weight saving of aluminium.

Another great material I incorporate into my necks is Carbon fibre flat bar, light, stiff and strong.

Taff

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on January 17, 2019 at 8:25am

Great point about the Carbon Fibre for trussrods. Some guitar supply places offer Graphite rods for non-adjustable trussrods too.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on January 17, 2019 at 8:23am

There's several builders and companies making Pine Tele bodies these days(Barncaster, Barnblaster and Tone Bomb). Ron Kirchner of Hot Rod Lincoln fame has a Tele made of Pine, however not all Pine is the same. Southern Pine is more like a glorified weed and is okay for bodies, but I wouldn't recommend using it for a neck.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on January 17, 2019 at 12:28pm

Hi Paul, gee its great to be ahead of y my time, ha ha. In the photo you can see the start of a pine solid body Strat style guitar from a round 1999, I made a pine neck for it too.

Also some carbon fibre use, in  a twelve string guitar neck and body.
Here is a 12 string neck with rod and carbon fibre from a couple of years ago.

More carbon Fibre The guitar in full. Taff

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on January 17, 2019 at 5:10pm

I have an old pine body Tele Paul, there are also pine Strats out there? They’ve been around for a long time, 50’s or so?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Cause the Blue rat on January 17, 2019 at 7:14pm

Yo can get pine teles right from Fender.  But totally agree pine is not the best choice for a neck.

Still to cold in the shop. So I've been spending a lot of time with Logic Pro X. There's a lot of free stuff I've added to this DAW. I'd have to say most of Logic's plugins are good. As far as their processing goes. But their reverb, echo and the like are wanky at best. And their on board synth programs leave a lot to be desired . So I've down loaded a hand full of free midi synths that sound awesome! Now I need to make me some CBG based EDM and Dubstep music!  

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 72
• 73
• 74
• 75
• 76
• …
• 187
• Next ›
• Page