Thursday, December 18, 2003
The Neck
Going into this project I didn't have a lot of money to spend on parts. So being the genius that I am I figured out how to get what I needed at a price I could afford. My first thought was to buy the finger board, the frets, the truss rod, the wood, the inlay material and build the neck. Instead of learning how to build a fret board I bought one. Maybe I'll build one on the next guitar.
I found this neck on eBay for $2.50. It cost me $9.00 to ship it.
Looking at one of the great Tutorials from Project Guitar.com, I learned how to remove the fret board. It was really easy, except make sure you don't do it on a nice piece of furniture. I messed up my coffee table's finish. Oops.
From that I got my fret board, already fretted, and my truss rod. Saving myself about $40.00 dollars.
Next, was to build the back of the neck. I purchased enough wood to build three necks for $15.00 dollars at a local lumber yard. It's a great looking Maple that is 4/4 thick. I should have gone with 5/4, but this should work fine.
I drew the design on the Maple board and cut out a section on each side. This enabled me to start shaping the neck. Using a spoke knife and a rasp I roughed out the shape.
Additional images
Hand shaved
Shaping the Neck
Comparing Necks
Once I got the shape set, I routed out the channel for the truss rod. This was interesting to figure out how to make a jig to cut a straight channel. Saved $25.00 by not buying the attachment.
The next step was to drill the holes for the tuners. A drill press would have been good to use. Instead I measured about 20 times and prayed I wouldn't slip.
Additional Images
Two holes down
All seven. No six!
Cool tuners
The head stock was then sawn to correct thickness. I did with a hand saw. It was tough and time consuming.
Next, I cut the shape of the head stock. It is really starting to come together. I have some shaping to do and a lot of sand.
Additional image
Comparing the two necks
The fret board was then glued to the neck.
Final sanding is still needed. Then stain and varnish.
Additional images
The backside
Head stock detail
Back of head stock
Next: The body
I found this neck on eBay for $2.50. It cost me $9.00 to ship it.
Looking at one of the great Tutorials from Project Guitar.com, I learned how to remove the fret board. It was really easy, except make sure you don't do it on a nice piece of furniture. I messed up my coffee table's finish. Oops.
From that I got my fret board, already fretted, and my truss rod. Saving myself about $40.00 dollars.
Next, was to build the back of the neck. I purchased enough wood to build three necks for $15.00 dollars at a local lumber yard. It's a great looking Maple that is 4/4 thick. I should have gone with 5/4, but this should work fine.
I drew the design on the Maple board and cut out a section on each side. This enabled me to start shaping the neck. Using a spoke knife and a rasp I roughed out the shape.
Additional images
Hand shaved
Shaping the Neck
Comparing Necks
Once I got the shape set, I routed out the channel for the truss rod. This was interesting to figure out how to make a jig to cut a straight channel. Saved $25.00 by not buying the attachment.
The next step was to drill the holes for the tuners. A drill press would have been good to use. Instead I measured about 20 times and prayed I wouldn't slip.
Additional Images
Two holes down
All seven. No six!
Cool tuners
The head stock was then sawn to correct thickness. I did with a hand saw. It was tough and time consuming.
Next, I cut the shape of the head stock. It is really starting to come together. I have some shaping to do and a lot of sand.
Additional image
Comparing the two necks
The fret board was then glued to the neck.
Final sanding is still needed. Then stain and varnish.
Additional images
The backside
Head stock detail
Back of head stock
Next: The body
