Official Luthiers Forum!

One thing after another. I'm a competent carver, but a Luthie???...I have a lot of trials to go through before I can even consider the Luthier attachment to my resume.
My current 000 style carved up guitar is ready for neck fit and nearing completion. It looks really great and am excited about my first steel string build. HOWEVER, my OM (second steel project in the works) hit a couple snags. I broke the lower side at the upper bout...which now (the conversion) will be a Florentine. I can deal with that......and THEN...after the neck was carved/heel block/peghead laminate and shaped, I see my heel depth is 3.325" (same as my 000...and my OM plans show side heel depth thickness of 4+. Did I even check this out before carving the neck???? OK...my choice is to make a new neck or cut down taper my current bent OM sides to a approx. 3 1/8 heel depth. Neither of which is easy or planned........ I suppose I make a new deeper heel block 4"+ and allow the heel to fall 3/4 short of the side depth.?? I just don't think it would look good that way.
Must this Luthier world be this way?
Any LUTHIER suggestions?

Luckily I'm OLD and patient and believe there is a way to fix anything...given time... of which I have less of.

Kent

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Wood Creations by Kent A. Bailey
EXCELLENCE IN SCULPTURE, CARVING, LUTHIER, ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK AND DESIGN

http://www.kabart.com

Which OM plan are you using? I'm asking because my OM plan (Scott Antes, LMI) shows a body depth at the tail block of 4.125" and at the heel block 3.3??" (I'm at work right now, so I can't check the exact number). So according to my plan, your neck would be ok.
More than 4" depth at the heel seems to be in dreadnought territory (But I think some builders make OMs deeper than the ttraditional Martin OM).

Christian

Hey Kent,

The OLF OM plans have a neck end depth of 3 13/16". I myself like a little more taper to the body and have taken that down another 1/8". I also like to end the neck heel at the binding. Add a thick heel cap, around 3/16" to 1/4" (saw someone here do that, looks very cool) and your pretty close with that current neck. Of course this is coming from a guy who feels guitar plans are just a suggestion.

Steve

A martin OM is 3 3/8 at the heel 4 1/8 at the heel.

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

I'm using the Payne plans. My big supporting issue is my current inside neck block doesn't extend from the top all the way to the back with the existing neck I have created. I suppose I could glue an extension to create the proper height...but still don't like the heel and heel cap so far from the back surface. (My real underlying reason0??...my sides joint isn't nice enough at the heel to allow exposure. I was expecting coverage.
The Payne plans show the heel extending flush with the back and my neck construction failed to follow the plans (and his dimensions) as shown. It's not the plans fault.
Kent

Thanks to all who replied.

_________________
Wood Creations by Kent A. Bailey
EXCELLENCE IN SCULPTURE, CARVING, LUTHIER, ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK AND DESIGN

http://www.kabart.com

You could look at it as a head start on your next guitar and make a new neck and block for this OM.

Kent,

Have you glued the heel block to the sides already? If you have, then you've got an issue to deal with. But you can just glue another piece to it & make it bigger. Lots of people are using laminated heel blocks these days...often with a piece that projects under the fingerboard. If you haven't glued the block in yet, just make a new one.

Flori